Effectively, that was fairly an exhilarating experience for the season opener.
Because the Pittsburgh Steelers sometimes do, they picked up an unsightly win on the street, 18-10, over the Atlanta Falcons, to maneuver to 1-0 on the season. The offense began sluggish, however made sufficient performs to get into scoring place. Kicker Chris Boswell was cash on the day, accounting for all the Steelers’ factors, and the star-studded protection compelled three turnovers and held the Falcons to only 54 yards within the second half.
Now, the Steelers transfer ahead, getting ready for a visit to Denver in Week 2 with some uncertainty at punter following Cameron Johnston’s severe harm.
However at 1-0, issues are wanting up for the Steelers.
Let’s get to some grades from Sunday’s win over the Falcons.
QB — C
Justin Fields made the beginning for the injured Russell Wilson and was neither good nor dangerous. He was completely advantageous.
Fields was extremely shaky early within the sport, fumbling a snap on the primary play of the sport, after which lacking some early throws, together with layups to large receiver Van Jefferson and operating again Najee Harris.
He settled down after that and made some good performs by the air, together with late within the first half to large receiver George Pickens. He then hit Pickens deep early within the second half, too. He additionally made some good performs together with his legs, speeding for 57 yards on 14 carries, including one other harmful aspect to the Steelers’ assault.
By way of the air, Fields completed 17-for-23 for 156 yards. After that powerful early begin, it was good to see Fields quiet down. He took one sack that he shouldn’t have, however total it was a advantageous displaying for a man who wanted to arrange shortly late within the week to be the starter.
RB — B-
Coming into the season with a degree to show and enjoying for a brand new contract, Najee Harris received off to a powerful begin.
Harris ran onerous and with authority on the day, ending with 70 yards on 20 carries behind an offensive line with two gamers making their first NFL begin and a quarterback who isn’t a lot of a risk by the air.
The fourth-year operating again had a pleasant 20-yard run within the win and constantly was a hammer working downhill. He seemed like a really strong slot in Arthur Smith’s offense within the first sport motion of the yr.
With Jaylen Warren clearly restricted a bit in his return from a hamstring harm, seeing him get simply 4 touches on the day for 20 complete yards, veteran Cordarrelle Patterson received some work in aid of Harris.
Patterson completed with 4 carries for 13 yards and helped arrange some area objectives within the win.
WR — C+
George Pickens had a really strong day, ending with six receptions for 85 yards, together with an enormous 40-yarder. After a quiet begin during which he didn’t get a lot work, Pickens caught hearth and made a handful of performs. He had an enormous play on the sail route late within the first half serving to arrange a Boswell area aim. Then, he had the 40-yard catch from Fields within the second half.
He ought to have had a 3rd explosive play however his 36-yard catch within the first half was worn out by a bogus offensive pass-interference penalty.
Outdoors of Pickens, the large receivers had been nearly non-existent.
Calvin Austin III had one catch for seven yards and Van Jefferson had one catch for one yard. Austin was blown up on the display to Jefferson within the fourth quarter, resulting in the one-yard acquire. Not precisely the man you need on the perimeter blocking on a display.
TE — C+
Pat Freiermuth had 4 catches for 27 yards, and I appreciated the way in which he was utilized off boots, creating simple completions for Fields. Good to see him get some work after being rewarded with a contract extension.
Darnell Washington was even utilized within the passing sport, hauling in a single move for 5 yards. He was a menace as a blocker, too, transferring some our bodies within the run sport, even burying a man to spring Harris for a pleasant run.
MyCole Pruitt had one catch for 9 yards. Stable begin for the TEs however hope there may be extra work there for them transferring ahead.
OL — C+
The operating sport was environment friendly total, which was a optimistic signal with two younger gamers making their first profession NFL begins. Left guard Spencer Anderson allowed one stress that led to a fast throw from Justin Fields, and there was the fumbled snap on the primary play from scrimmage within the snap from Zach Frazier to Fields.
However total, this offensive line performed comparatively properly.
The Steelers rushed for 147 yards and actually grinded it out. In addition they allowed simply two sacks on the day, with one sack occurring Fields as a result of holding onto the ball too lengthy and making an attempt to make a play.
Broderick Jones had a foolish offsetting private foul penalty during which he didn’t do something however shield teammate James Daniels.
General, this was a strong efficiency after loads of considerations in the course of the preseason and coaching camp.
DL — A-
What a displaying from the defensive position. Actually.
Cameron Heyward seemed fairly good with a brand new contract in hand, ending with 4 tackles. His energy was on show all through the sport as a run defender. He managed the road of scrimmage, generated some nice push as a move rusher and actually seemed good now that he’s wholesome once more. As if there was ever any doubt.
Larry Ogunjobi was excellent in opposition to the Falcons, too, creating stress on the Donte Jackson interception, pushing a lineman proper into the lap of Kirk Cousins, not permitting him to step up. Ogunjobi was improbable within the preseason and has carried that over into the common season. Very encouraging.
I additionally appreciated what I noticed from Keeanu Benton at occasions and Montravius Adams.
Adams had an enormous sack within the win and continues to do nothing however produce when given enjoying time. Benton had two tackles and a quarterback hit and helped type a wall in opposition to the run alongside the defensive position, serving to the Steelers restrict the Falcons to only 89 yards speeding.
LB — A
If not for 2 bogus calls negating two splash performs, T.J. Watt would have had three sacks, a compelled fumble, and two fumble recoveries. As a substitute, he had one sack, a fumble restoration, three quarterback hits and a sort out for loss, blowing up an early run play.
He put a bow on the win with a sack of Cousins on the ultimate play, not being denied a sack within the season opener.
Reverse Watt, I assumed Alex Highsmith was very strong. He did have the one offsides penalty, however he batted a move on the line of scrimmage and had 5 tackles, setting the sting properly in opposition to the run.
Inside, Patrick Queen and Elandon Roberts had been comparatively quiet, with Queen recording two tackles and Roberts being held off of the stat sheet. Rookie Payton Wilson had a touchdown-saving sort out on the primary drive of the sport, forcing Atlanta to kick a area aim.
He had three tackles on the day.
DB — B+
Heck of a debut for DeShon Elliott.
Elliott had an early interception, later broke up a move and was stout total. What an underrated addition to the Steelers.
He freed up Minkah Fitzpatrick to go and make performs, which he did, main the Steelers with seven tackles. Fitzpatrick had an enormous open-field sort out on Bijan Robinson and actually seemed good now that he’s heathy once more.
Cornerback Donte Jackson had a extremely strong sport total. He had an interception, serving to seal the win, and may have had one earlier within the sport that he merely dropped. However he was across the ball a ton and made performs in protection, which is strictly what the Steelers wanted from him.
Joey Porter Jr. shook off an harm and performed properly all through the sport, ending with three tackles.
Rookie Beanie Bishop Jr. was across the ball lots, ending with 4 tackles, but it surely appeared he received misplaced on Kyle Pitts’ landing catch in a little bit of a miscommunication within the secondary. Chalk that as much as being a younger participant in a brand new scheme he’s nonetheless adjusting to.
Particular Groups — A-
If this grade had been only for Chris Boswell, it will be a simple A+. He was unbelievable on Sunday, drilling three 50+-yard area objectives and accounting for all 18 of the Steelers’ factors. When he’s proper, there’s no higher kicker in soccer.
Boswell additionally needed to step in for an injured Cameron Johnston. Boswell booted a 43-yard punt after Johnston suffered a severe knee harm. What can’t he do?
The harm to Johnston was powerful to see. It seemed ugly on replay, and it ended a powerful day he was having, averaging 51.5 yards on two punts. The issue was, the Steelers have a severe gunner challenge. The Steelers allowed a 28-yard punt return within the win.
Protection was a bit higher on kickoffs, with Bishop recording a sort out on the opening kick and DeMarvin Leal flying down for an enormous hit on a return within the second half.
Calvin Austin III did some injury within the punt return sport, ending with 47 yards on 4 punt returns. He was a bit too hesitant at occasions although, which appeared to hinder him. He has to only get it and go. His velocity will destroy protection items.
