Rex Ryan: Steelers should 'dehydrate' Justin Fields with QB runs

The Pittsburgh Steelers face a weakened Dallas Cowboys defense that is missing DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons. ESPN analyst and former head coach Rex Ryan believes this means Dallas' defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer will change the defensive scheme. In response, Ryan wants the Steelers and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith to take a cue from the Baltimore Ravens and “dehydrate” Justin Fields with quarterback runs.

“(Mike) Zimmer will change the plan to do blitzes and stuff like that, even if you're supposed to live in it. My only concern with Pittsburgh is Arthur Smith on the other side, that offensive coordinator. Don't be so damn stubborn that you don't study the tape. Steal quarterback running plays against the Ravens,” Ryan said on Sunday’s NFL Countdown. “You have the blueprint right in front of you. Dehydrate your quarterback today.”

In Week 2, the Ravens ran all of Dallas for 274 yards on the ground, with QB Lamar Jackson rushing 14 times for 87 yards and a touchdown. Fields has used his legs well this year, both on designed runs and scrambles, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Steelers use him in that capacity more often tonight. Not only has Pittsburgh seen it work with the Ravens, but the team also lost both Jaylen Warren and Cordarrelle Patterson, leaving Aaron Shampklin and Jonathan Ward as the two running backs behind Najee Harris.

It might be beneficial for the Steelers to use Fields more as a runner to lighten Harris' workload a bit, but as Ryan said, the blueprint is there for a team that effectively uses its quarterback as a runner against the Cowboys. Pittsburgh will also get some help on offense with the return of Isaac Seumalo, although the group still doesn't look like it should due to an injury to James Daniels.

Pittsburgh's schedule tonight will be interesting, and Fields may want revenge on Zimmer for needlessly taking shots at him in September. I'm sure he has the comments about Fields “did nothing” in the back of his mind and would like to rush Zimmer's defense tonight.

The Steelers and Cowboys always play close games, and even though Dallas is missing some key defensive players, it will likely be a close game again tonight. It could come down to whether Pittsburgh can win on the ground, and Justin Fields will play a big role in making that happen.