The Pittsburgh Steelers received their fifth-straight win, a usually low scoring one possession recreation they’re so good at eking out, together with this significant matchup to take a seat atop the AFC North. Regardless of a poor offensive outing with no touchdowns, Okay Chris Boswell’s six area targets and spectacular protection total have been paramount to the 18-16 victory over the Baltimore Ravens.
On this article I’ll present information from Professional Soccer Focus (PFF) and takeaways from watching the movie.
Offense
Wonderful (90-Plus Grades):
NONE.
Nice (80-Plus Grades):
The best grade on offense is TE Darnell Washington (84.8 grade, 44 snaps). What a day, and ideal match he’s changing into on the place for Pittsburgh. Man amongst boys total as a blocker, transferring furnishings in a way that almost all OL do. His 76.2 RBLK was tops on the place (pre-Monday Night time Soccer, min. 30 snaps), and 75.7 PBLK ranks fourth.
76.4 REC, catching 2-of-3 targets all within the fourth quarter. Two chunk performs between the numbers, refreshingly (25, 17 yards), however purple zone INT on an overthrow from QB Russell Wilson. Half his OVR grades in 2024 have been nice or higher, rating because the fifth OVR TE this season (min. 350 snaps). Big. Preserve it goin’ large fella.
Good (70-Plus Grades):
Pittsburgh’s three inside offensive lineman paved the best way.
G Isaac Seumalo (78.9, 75) was strong, with an 80.8 RBLK that ranked seventh in Week 11 (min. 50 snaps), and 78.0 PBLK (tenth). Paramount to the performs Pittsburgh’s offense created, although they weren’t as typically as they hoped. Run blocking undoubtedly highlighted his efficiency. Fundamental blemish was a false begin. No pressures or sacks. Refreshing effectiveness within the display recreation, with RB Najee Harris’ 20-yard explosive a primary instance.
Pittsburgh’s two rookies had a pleasant day, becoming into this gritty rivalry instantly.
G Mason McCormick posted his finest grade of the season (73.1, 77), due to balanced play in PBLK (73.6) and RBLK (69.2). Taking part in to the whistle (clearly getting underneath Baltimore’s pores and skin), display recreation, second stage have been all very encouraging. Did enable two hurries, and famous a pair points as a puller that may hopefully enhance, however good day in opposition to this stout protection.
C Zach Frazier’s (71.0, 77) fifth recreation on this tier (out of eight), enjoying nicely in his second recreation again from damage. 73.6 PBLK, 68.8 RBLK. Loved some plus purple zone reps (largely true for the IOL), and a bit on the second stage. Did be aware two dangerous shotgun snaps within the second half, although Wilson was in a position to corral them. No pressures or sacks, impressively. Nice job rooks.
The Dangerous (Under 50 Grades):
Only one. WR Van Jefferson was the bottom grade on offense (44.7, 43). Fundamental blemish was a purple zone drop on third and 6, his lone goal, and Pittsburgh settling for one more area objective. The larger query: why goal an out route nicely coated wanting the sticks in that scenario? Famous a number of constructive RBLK reps, however a pair losses, specifically taken to the bottom on one. Was his finest 52.1 grade.
Protection
Wonderful (90-Plus Grades):
The best-graded defender and total participant was LB Payton Wilson (92.4, 21). In fact, the spotlight was a implausible interception from path protection, ripping the could be catch from the standard receiving RB. That turnover was huge after Wilson’s previous RZ INT, and the sport. Had a pair different plus reps in COV as well (90.8, first amongst LBs).
Some lows: poor display block shed and a missed task/bust. Made that deal with, and his different was a 23-yard explosive cleanup. A pair angle points, and a poor third down RDEF rep (60.8, simply two snaps). However one other rookie who acclimated very nicely to the rivalry with an all-pro play.
Nice (80-Plus Grades):
Two right here. CB Joey Porter Jr. (86.4, 58) bounced again extremely after a troublesome Week 10. No catches on three targets together with two PBUs. All my COV notes have been constructive (84.8), nice 39.6 ranking in opposition to, and stepped up big situationally. This included 4 third down stops, and implausible will (left recreation twice to damage) and play on the sport clinching two-point conversion cease, attending to QB Lamar Jackson. Nice recreation.
DL Cam Heyward (85.7, 39) had one other robust outing, a standard theme total in 2024 regardless of his years. High quality RDEF (77.4) and PRUSH (77.4) total. Tied for a team-high 4 pressures, with three hurries and one QB hit. Big situational performs, together with two bats on a third and 6 and late fourth quarter. 4 tackles, three for run stops. Had a missed deal with alternative, however nice monitor to even be close to the play. A number of lumps, however excessive affect Captain.
Good (70-Plus Grades):
Two gamers. LB Patrick Queen (79.3, 61) received fairly the revenge in opposition to his former workforce. Lead the workforce with ten mixed tackles, and spectacular TFL darting in on a RB dump-off (80.1 TACK). Particularly stamped his identify on Pittsburgh’s aspect of the rivalry was a superb FF/FR turnover, one other big takeaway earlier than halftime.
Did have a holding penalty that negated a sack, was largely ineffective in PRSH (59.2), and a few RDEF lumps with no stops (66.9) although. Nice 80.5 COV (third amongst LBs, min. 30 COV snaps). He (and the workforce) gave up some chuck cross performs, however didn’t break on the scoreboard with just one passing TD allowed to their explosive offense, fortunately.
S DeShon Elliott (70.7, 46) continues his seamless match and affect in Pittsburgh. Atop the listing was his FR the second play of the sport, big within the Steelers grabbing the momentum early. Additionally had a QB hit late third quarter, leading to an incompletion and large third and 10 cease. Was stalled on just a few different PRSH although (55.0), one pancaked to the bottom. Two mixed TACK (81.9), his finest particular person grade, together with one cease.
The Dangerous (Under 50 Grades):
Three right here. CB Beanie Bishop Jr. (47.6, 29) was tough, significantly in COV (47.9). Allowed two catches, one to the purple zone, and third and 10 conversion. Famous poor downfield protection on former Steeler Diontae Johnson that was fortunately overthrown. My solely constructive be aware was a cross rush, however was stalled on his different two alternatives (52.0). This rookie undoubtedly desires some performs again.
S Minkah Fitzpatrick (42.3, 61). On this tier for the second time this season. Unfair in my opinion with the lid and limiting their potent passing assault total. 82.1 TACK (ninth amongst S), 63.0 RDEF, and 46.0 COV, all higher than his OVR. Seven mixed tackles (second on workforce). Charged with 4 catches (75 yards, team-high), however most have been “clean-up” tackles from zone. Plus third down protection (T.J. Watt sack), and click on/shut on a Jackson learn possibility maintain additionally deserve props.
EDGE Nick Herbig (36.7, 50) was the lowest-graded defender, and tied for worst total. Flaws little doubt, however my largest shock. Wasted no time, pursuing and punching out a FF on the second play of the sport on RB Derrick Henry, traditionally nice at not coughing up fumbles. Big penetration on the two-point cease as nicely, disrupting Jackson’s run angle.
Additionally, 4 pressures (T-team excessive), three hurries, and a QB hit resulting in a throwaway. Up and down PRUSH (63.8), successful a number of reps. However lows included on the bottom, shedding the sting, and a missed RTAK (36.6) permitting a third and 5 conversion, and an offsides penalty I personally thought was incorrect. Not saying he ought to have been glorious tier, however undoubtedly not right here.
Particular Groups:
Wonderful (90-Plus Grades):
NONE.
Nice (80-Plus Grades):
Okay Chris Boswell is the highest0graded particular teamer (83.9, 13). That’s after all deserving, accounting for all of Pittsburgh’s factors on six area targets, and thought his grade ought to have been increased. Related on three 50-plus yarders (57, 52, 50), the latter with 3:40 left.
PFF gave props together with his second-best grade of 2024, solely to his season opening 90.3 when he had eerily related feats: 6-of-6, three 50-plus (57, 56, 51), all of Pittsburgh’s factors in that 18-10 win as nicely. One other distinction was the ultimate one with :28 on the clock. Making NFL historical past in a implausible 2024 season.
Good (70-Plus Grades):
Only one in Bishop (71.4, 11). Supplied a team-high two kick return tackles within the second half, a 24-yarder (that included a holding penalty), and a 29 yarder as nicely. Higher than his day on protection, little doubt.
The Dangerous (Under 50 Grades):
One once more. Ben Skowronek was the lowest0graded particular teamer, and tied for worst total (36.7, 18). Irritating day total, together with a false begin and blocked to the bottom on punt workforce, poor blocking on a punt return, and missed a deal with angle on kick protection. Did be aware two positives, getting downfield as a gunner (together with James Pierre, who downed it), and drew a holding penalty as nicely.
Surprises:
OFF – Wilson’s increased than anticipated 61.3 grade
DEF – Herbig’s lowest 36.7 protection and tied for total grade (too low).
ST – P Corliss Waitman’s decrease than anticipated 61.3 PUNT. Three punts, all 50-plus (71, 52, 51), one in20, one touchback. Flipped the sector.
Who have been yours?
STEELERS WEEK 11 VS. RAVENS & TOTAL REGULAR SEASON SNAPS:
WEEK 10 SNAP LEADERS:
OFF- B.Jones, D.Moore, M.McCormick, Z.Frazier.
DEF- M.Fitzpatrick, P.Queen.
ST- Co.Heyward, J.Moon, J.Pierre, M.Killebrew, M.Robinson, P.Wilson, T.Matakevich.
