Following every recreation within the 2024 Steelers season I’ll as soon as once more be providing you with my 10 takes. These aren’t going to be sizzling takes that should shock the world. They are going to be immediate reactions written whereas nonetheless in that interval simply following the sport when the feelings are excessive and the concepts are recent. Included might be ideas, observations, queries, and causes that induced me to yell on the tv.
Common-Season Week 8 vs. New York Giants
1. Hack, Sack, Get The Ball Again – Thank goodness for T.J. Watt. A turnover coming on the worst doable time within the recreation for the Steelers’ offense gave the ball again to the Giants with an opportunity to even the rating. Watt, who has been quiet the final two video games because of the added consideration of chips and double groups, made his presence identified when it was wanted most. His deal with on a scramble was large. Daniel Jones is an effective runner and will have gotten the primary down if not tripped up. He adopted it with a sack/pressured fumble/fumble restoration. Enormous performs.
2. First-Half Tips – You dress up for trick or treating and also you get to that first door hoping for that first style of chocolate and also you get raisins. That was the primary half. The Steelers had a whopping 238 yards within the first half had couldn’t get into the tip zone.
Effectively, let me make clear. They bought it ultimately zone however one was referred to as again by a penalty, one had Van Jefferson run by way of the open space of the zone protection and evidently two proper toes down don’t equal a catch. Arthur Smith referred to as an awesome first half and I could also be a bit grasping given how the offense carried out for many of this season however the Steelers are transferring the ball now. They MUST rating touchdowns within the crimson zone.
3. What’s The Hurry? – The Steelers get the ball able to run the four-minute offense on the finish of the sport. That is the place they need to hammer the run recreation inside and use strategic passes when needed. That is all to run down the clock whereas working down the sphere. They offense comes out and runs the hurry-up offense. Not huddling, simply lining up and operating performs shortly just like the Steelers are trailing. The second play the place Russell Wilson fumbled was snapped with about 20 seconds left on the clock. What’s the thought course of right here? Take your time, drain the clock. The offense was transferring the ball nicely many of the evening. I don’t perceive this choice.
4. Don’t Fill That Bag With Sweet – The staff had an opportunity to signal Najee Harris to an extension and it determined towards it. After a gradual begin to the season Harris has heated up. He was one of many treats for the staff, notching his third consecutive 100-yard recreation and averaging six yards on 19 carries. He has seemed faster, extra agile and with a burst we haven’t seen within the final couple of years. I believe it was the correct choice for the staff to not prolong him earlier than the season, however I’m joyful for Harris. The best way he’s taking part in he’s going to get the bag from any individual prepared to pay him.
5. Two Toes Does Not Equal Two Toes – I get it, however I don’t get it. For a catch to be a catch we have now all the time heard the identical factor. You want management of the ball with two toes in bounds. Not one left foot and one proper foot. Two toes. Technically, George Pickens bought two toes down ultimately zone.
Sadly, in keeping with the rule, it might’t be the identical foot. One knee is okay. One glute works too. Simply not the identical foot twice. It induced confusion throughout the soccer world with some questioning if hopping down the sphere on one foot after a catch could be dominated a catch. I’ve mentioned it earlier than. If you wish to see an uncommon name, watch a Steeler recreation.
6. Use What’s In The Cabinet – The Steelers’ hunt for one more receiver has had lots of names talked about. Most have gone to different groups. Some potential targets bought harm. Some simply wouldn’t be enhancements over what they’ve in home. Don’t look now however Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin III seemed like viable choices within the offense. They mixed for seven catches, 116 yards and a landing. Each had a reception of at the least 29 yards as nicely. Arthur Smith is discovering his groove. Russell Wilson is giving them alternatives. Generally it’s important to use the outdated plastic cup reasonably than the frosted mug.
7. 7 + 7 is Nonetheless 14, Proper? – Analytics will be actually silly. Down 14 factors the Giants scored after which used analytics to resolve what to do subsequent. Analytics says to go for 2. When you make it, you may rating once more and kick the additional level to take the lead. Fairly presumptuous that you’ll rating once more and the opposite staff received’t. When you don’t convert, you recognize it’s important to go for 2 and convert the subsequent time.
Once more, so long as the opposite staff doesn’t rating. I can perceive the method. In concept. However for those who kick the additional level, to go down seven, you may nonetheless kick to tie or go for the 2 for the win for those who rating once more. It’s all overthinking for those who ask me.
8. Give Him The Award Now – The Related Press began giving out a brand new award in 2014. The award is given to the NFL Assistant Coach of the 12 months. Six occasions it has been given to a defensive coordinator. 4 occasions to offensive coordinators, together with Giants head coach Brian Daboll when he was in Buffalo. It’s time. This yr, it ought to go to particular groups coach Danny Smith. Blocked kicks and block punts. Chris Boswell is in a zone proper now. Smith is working with a backup punter and gunners and so they’re dominating. Austin takes a punt to the home and kudos to Rodney Williams for a key block to spring him across the edge. Danny Smith has earned it.
9. Room To Enhance – The protection was a bit irritating tonight. It gave up 157 yards on the bottom at a clip of 6.3 yards per carry. There have been a handful of third-and-long performs surrendered. Too many uncontested catches. Too many yards after contact as a result of missed tackles. And plenty of of these deal with makes an attempt had guys grabbing the ball carriers and simply spinning them round as a substitute of taking them to the bottom. The sacks by Watt and Alex Highsmith had been large performs and shutting it with one other Beanie Bishop Jr. interception sounds nice however general, it was a lackluster defensive efficiency.
10. Bought To Get The Proper Proper – Oh Broderick Jones. He value the staff a landing with a facemask penalty. He allowed a sack. On one other play he bought blown up by former Steeler Armon Watts. He has loads of expertise to play the correct deal with place. He began off nicely final season on that aspect. However there’s something lacking. The sunshine hasn’t gone on.
When he has a number of former NFL offensive linemen and line coaches questioning what’s occurring along with his play it’s not a great signal. The place is that nastiness you need in a lineman? Jones appears to play at about six if you need him nearer to 10. The power is there. He must resolve how good he actually desires to be.
