The Pittsburgh Steelers begin the season 2-0, beating the Denver Broncos 13-6 thanks to a different robust defensive displaying. Not fairly in any other case, with a lot to scrub up, however a win is a win.
On this article I’ll present information from Professional Soccer Focus (PFF) and takeaways from watching the movie.
Offense:
Glorious (90-Plus Grades):
The perfect offensive grade, and general was G James Daniels (91.5 grade, 66 snaps). Famous a slightly spectacular and nasty sport as a run blocker, whereas cross blocking had moments however misplaced a number of reps. PFF concurred with a 93.2 RBLK, the NFLs second-best at guard in Week Two, and a 39.7 PBLK that included 4 pressures (T-third most), three hurries (T-second most), and a QB hit (T-third most).
Nice (80-Plus Grades):
One participant, TE Darnell Washington (88.3, 29). For starters, caught the Steelers first TD of 2024, additionally the primary of his profession. Nice to see OC Arthur Smith line him up out vast, getting single protection, utilizing his measurement within the purple zone for the 5 yard back-shoulder rating. Fortunately famous a pleasant run blocking sport general (71.9), significantly purple zone and second half, together with some good cross professional once more however did enable a strain (throwaway).
Good (70-Plus Grades):
Two right here. WR George Pickens (79.6, 51) caught 2/4 targets (that counted), for simply 29 yards and no touchdowns or explosive performs. PFF gave him credit score for the huge hidden yardage he created on negated performs. This included an explosive 37-yard DPI, an unreal 51-yard bomb and six-yard TD from QB Justin Fields. Practically 100 yards and a TD wiped from his resume. The Fields-Pickens connection is trying far more promising than the stat sheet up to now.
T Dan Moore (74.9, 66) impressed me as soon as once more, particularly as a run blocker (76.9), profitable just about each rep in my notes. Thought he earned a good higher RBLK grade. His 65.1 PBLK was the place he misplaced some reps, permitting a strain (hurry), and had a holding penalty. Two good video games begin to the 12 months, encouragingly.
The Unhealthy (Under 50 Grades):
Two once more. TE Connor Heyward (46.5, 14) performed extra on this sport, however had a holding penalty, struggled as a run blocker (48.0), and wasn’t focused. The tip of that sentence appears lopsided to me, contemplating 11/14 snaps had been as a run blocker, and his skillset clearly extra as a receiver. He does run block effectively on the transfer at occasions, however hope to see a snap shift there.
T Broderick Jones (35.1, 11), whoof. In a complicated resolution to rotate gamers at RT, Jones was the second man up. Sadly, it was an abysmal displaying with a whopping three penalties: two holding, and an egregious false begin. Expectedly led to the bottom grade on offense. The remainder actually doesn’t matter when you have got a 27-percent penalty charge.
Protection:
Glorious (90-Plus Grades):
The perfect grade on protection was CB Cory Trice Jr. (90.1, 20). He had a clutch purple zone interception, studying the QBs eyes and peeling off to the again of the tip zone to get the large turnover. What an enormous play and comeback story following the devastating harm his rookie 12 months.
Nice (80-Plus Grades):
Two gamers. DL Keeanu Benton (88.7, 27) trended positively, particularly in run protection (39.7 to 73.4). A number of wins in comparison with simply two misplaced reps in my notes. This progress was paired along with his normally regular cross rush (75.2). Two pressures together with my favourite, displaying violent palms to win and get the QB hit on a Third-and-6 incompletion. Three whole tackles, all stops, that includes spectacular block shedding and monitoring the ball. Wow.
S DeShon Elliott (80.5, 47) had a incredible sport. 9 tackles led the workforce, together with a TFL. That was a Third-and-1, with nice anticipation and flew in for a four-yard loss. A number of different performs that featured this, and PFF credited him (87.9 RDEF, 80.8 TACK), first and second workforce ranks respectively. Robust in protection too (75.1): no catches allowed on three targets (39.6 ranking). Couple negatives off his aggression: offsides penalty and run fills, however excellent season to date.
Good (70-Plus Grades):
4 right here. LB Elandon Roberts (79.8, 21) showcased his downhill talents too. He had three tackles (all stops), two off zone protection drops (78.5 COV), and the longest going for 2 yards. Additionally had some high quality/fast run fills, however one included a missed sort out that led to his lowest particular person grades (65.2 RDEF. 51.4 TACK).
EDGE T.J. Watt (77.1, 55) was his regular dominant self. As HC Mike Tomlin eloquently states, appreciated however anticipated. Had three whole tackles (all stops), a sack, 2 TFLs, two QB hits, and a cross defensed. That was impactful, and likewise had an enormous variety of reps that led to huge performs for teammates. Elite stuff, decrease within the grades than anticipated, and thought his 63.8 PRSH was too low particularly.
S Minkah Fitzpatrick (76.1, 61) was second on the workforce with seven whole tackles, and first in tackling grade (84.6). This included a number of third down stops, but additionally cleanup obligation on two explosive performs, one TD saving on a 49-yard trick play. The pairing with Elliott goes extraordinarily effectively, and hope that solely grows with extra time collectively.
DL Cameron Heyward (70.0, 41) simply made the group, regardless of having a whopping six pressures, 4 hurries, two QB hits late within the fourth quarter together with a 3rd down cease, three whole tackles and normally strong run protection (72.9). Much like Watt, the complicated a part of his grade was a 59.7 PRSH, and extra so a 60.0 COV grade regardless of no protection snaps.
The Unhealthy (Under 50 Grades):
CB Joey Porter (45.8, 60) expectedly landed right here with a whopping three penalties of his personal (two holding, one unlawful use of palms), flying extra below the radar than Jones on the offensive facet of the ball as a consequence of all of them offsetting. Together with this was a missed sort out, his lowest grade (33.1). Exterior of penalties, had a couple of good protection performs together with a Third-and-6 PBU and no acquire assisted display screen sort out. Unhealthy far outweighed the great although.
CB Beanie Bishop (41.5, 39) was the bottom graded defender. His lone sort out was an amazing 3-and-11 cease, tackling the scramble within the open area for 5 yards. The dangerous was consistency on this division, with two poor angles and missed sort out alternatives, most painful a 27-yard explosive play, and a team-worst 108.3 ranking towards. He did have a close to interception, and good protection on a 3-and-8 incompletion, however development is required from the undrafted rookie.
Particular Groups:
Glorious (90-Plus Grades):
NONE.
Nice (80-Plus Grades):
Ben Skowronek (84.3, 12) was the top-graded particular teamer, taking part in on three groups. Had a number of nice punt protection reps, drew a number of penalties, and a key finish of sport nine-yard punt protection sort out as Denver tried to crawl again.
Good (70-Plus Grades):
Two gamers. Corliss Waitman (77.4, 11) is the brand new punter following Cameron Johnston’s unlucky season-ending harm. Waitman confirmed a big-leg with a powerful 53.0 YPA on a excessive eight makes an attempt. The draw back, and development space will hopefully be touchbacks (three), and returns (three), bringing his web common all the way down to 41.8. Not Johnston, however appeared promising.
Tyler Matakevich (72.5, 19) was a four-teamer. His highlights had been a pleasant punt rush, and nice punt protection stick, making the sort out for simply two yards.
The Unhealthy (Under 50 Grades):
Two right here. Herbig (49.9, 21) had an assisted sort out, however was dinged for holding on a punt return. Led the unit in snaps, and performed on five-teams. Darius Rush (46.3, 12) was the bottom graded particular teamer. Was fooled by the punt returner, with that kick bouncing for a touchback as an alternative of a chance to down it and pin the opposition again.
Surprises:
- T Troy Fautanu appeared the half in his first begin at proper sort out, together with no pressures allowed and littered my sport notes with positives. 64.4 grade although, particularly a 59.3 RBLK. He earned the beginning spot as a lot as Jones misplaced it.
- Watt/Cameron Heyward cross rush grades, mentioned within the protection part.
- Miles Killebrew – I assume virtually performs shouldn’t shock me, however two close to punt blocks deserved higher than a 59.9 grade IMO.
Who had been yours?
STEELERS WEEK 2 VS. BRONCOS & TOTAL REGULAR SEASON SNAPS:
SNAP LEADERS:
OFF- D.Moore, S.Anderson, Z.Frazier, J.Daniels, J.Fields.
DEF- M.Fitzpatrick, P.Queen.
ST- Ni.Herbig.
