Le'Veon Bell crashed the league's MVP party with his own personal snow festival in Buffalo, becoming the first player this season to outgain an opponent by himself.
Since the Steelers began running their offense through Bell at midseason, the incredibly patient back with a trademark sinewy style is averaging a staggering 191.4 yards per game. After slipping and sliding through the Bills defense en route to a franchise-best 298 yards, he's now flirting with Priest Holmes' 2000 record of 163.4 yards from scrimmage per game.
"There's no one like this guy," NFL Network analyst LaDainian Tomlinson raved on Monday's edition of NFL Total Access.
Although Bell's spectacular performance left his teammates abuzz, it shouldn't overshadow a team effort.
"I don't think any team in the NFL wants to play us right now," Bell told Peter King of the The MMQB after Sunday's game. "Since week eight or nine, I've been saying this. Next week, we'll play even better."
Led by disruptive defensive end Stephon Tuitt and playmaking linebacker Ryan Shazier, Pittsburgh's suddenly swarming defense is allowing just 12.5 points per game over the past month.
Second-round rookie safety Sean Davis is blitzing like a young Troy Polamalu, recording 1.5 sacks and three quarterback hits in Buffalo. Last year's first-round pick, Bud Dupree, had the best game of his young career versus the Bills, notching two sacks and three tackles for loss. He has been a late-season godsend after missing the first nine games with a groin injury.
A secondary derided as the team's Achilles' heel over the past couple of years has been solidified by first-round rookie Artie Burns and emerging cover corner Ross Cockrell on the outside, allowing veteran William Gay to excel in the slot.
This roster is strong and growing stronger with DeAngelo Williams, Sammie Coates and Darrius Heyward-Bey due to add depth in the coming weeks.
Two weeks ago, a reluctant Bell refused to play along when asked if the Steelers had turned the corner.
"I think we're still on the uprising," Bell offered by way of explanation.
Perhaps his instincts were correct. This team is rounding into peak form just in time for another run at the Lombardi Trophy.
