The nice instances got here to an finish in Week 4, with the Pittsburgh Steelers falling to the Indianapolis Colts 27-24. Sluggish begin for your complete workforce, unable to do sufficient to dig out of an early 17-point deficit, and the protection regressing onerous being the largest shock of the loss.
On this article I’ll present information from Professional Soccer Focus (PFF) and takeaways from watching the movie.
Offense:
Glorious (90-Plus Grades):
NONE.
Nice (80-Plus Grades):
NONE.
Good (70-Plus Grades):
Three gamers right here. T Dan Moore was the highest graded Steeler on offense (75.7 grade, 70 snaps). The OL struggled total, however Moore wasn’t the largest offender. Had a 75.9 PBLK and 72.2 RBLK. Had some good reps little doubt, permitting two hurries per PFF. I famous extra strain allowed, together with a QB hit and tough stretches within the second and fourth quarters, along with his PBLK larger than I anticipated.
One other lineman in rookie C Zach Frazier (74.7, 70). Famous him as one of many sluggish starters, significantly as a run blocker within the first quarter and second quarter move blocking. Was key to a not often good run recreation stretch within the second quarter, then somewhat constant within the second half total. One strain per PFF, and if it was a bit play, Frazier was typically a constructive. 78.6 PBLK led the workforce, and 72.4 RBLK was second. Extra up and down and pushed round greater than regular although.
RB Cordarrelle Patterson (71.6, 9) noticed extra burn with Jaylen Warren out. Answered the decision, with the aforementioned good run recreation stretch within the second quarter earlier than exiting the sport with an ankle damage. This included a stretch of three ten-plus runs, contributing to his 43 yards in complete (wholesome 7.2 YPA) on six complete makes an attempt. Additionally had two catches for 19 yards, with one other chunk acquire of 14, vast open on a scramble drill cease route, offering YAC as nicely.
The Unhealthy (Beneath 50 Grades):
NONE, surprisingly.
Protection:
Glorious (90-Plus Grades):
NONE.
Nice (80-Plus Grades):
Two gamers. S DeShon Elliott was the highest graded defender (86.2, 56). Regular pressure regardless of Pittsburgh’s defensive regression. Group-leading 12 complete tackles (5 stops), and led NFL safeties (pre-Monday Evening Soccer) with a wonderful 92.3 RDEF (4 stops). He was instinctive, displaying typical fast shut potential, together with sturdy open area tackles (84.2 TACK). Additionally a FF, close to turnover alternative on a 14-yard QB run. Elliott and S Minkah Fitzpatrick main the workforce in tackles speaks to the largely poor effort in entrance of them, sadly.
DL Cam Heyward (80.5, 48) had an atypical efficiency. Usually a stout run defender, and whereas there was good, way more up and down and extra misplaced reps than regular. 63.5 RDEF by far his worst of 2024. A team-leading and season-best 84.8 PRSH was his clearer constructive, together with 5 complete pressures and two half-sacks that have been additionally workforce highs. The latter got here within the second half, one knocking the OL to the bottom, and an enormous one late recreation.
Good (70-Plus Grades):
4 on this tier. EDGE T.J. Watt (75.8, 62) garners lots of consideration, and was quieter than excessive all-pro talents. Simply two pressures, no sacks, two assisted tackles (no stops), and a missed sort out on a bit run. What defenses do in makes an attempt to restrict him are as impactful because the stat sheet although, and good to see it mirrored within the grades.
LB Payton Wilson (74.0, 72.5) graded higher than I anticipated. A part of the tough begin, significantly in run protection (angles, recognition, block shedding). Improved by way of the sport although, the place 4 of his six complete tackles got here, and each his stops. 72.5 RDEF felt beneficiant although. His finest 81.6 PRSH did embrace a pleasant rep, however no pressures (5 snaps). His lowest 55.9 COV is agreeable. Pittsburgh’s gentle zone scheme was infuriating, and put Wilson in powerful positions (together with WRs) that went for chunk performs.
DL Keeanu Benton (72.3, 28) made an impression with three solo tackles (all stops). Included a late recreation half sack (with Heyward), a run TFL with them backed up on their very own goal-line, a QB hit, and batted move regardless of a double workforce. 73.4 PRSH his finest grade, however just one strain. A number of misplaced reps in run protection although, significantly initially and finish of the sport (lowest 63.3 grade).
S Terrell Edmunds (70.3, 8) obtained his first defensive snaps of 2024, and performed nicely. Two complete tackles, each on third down stops. One inspired an early slide on a QB run, the opposite a third and seven 3-yard assisted run sort out, with nice recognition for a wanted cease following the excruciating fumble turnover from the Steelers offense.
The Unhealthy (Beneath 50 Grades):
4 right here, unsurprisingly. DL Montravius Adams (41.9, 17) had a tough recreation. Zero-burger on the stat sheet, noting almost all his reps as losses. Did have two constructive move rushes in my notes on ten snaps, with a 52.8 grade his finest. 46.8 RDEF included chunk yards, pushed round, pancaked instantly, and one other wanting significantly misplaced not discovering the soccer.
LB Patrick Queen (40.4, 66) has merely not lived as much as my expectations but. Most irritating was run protection (30.0) and tackling (29.8), with excessive points shedding blocks total and lacking two run tackles that went for chunk performs. Additionally missed the FR turnover alternative. Protection was additionally powerful to observe (55.6), however extra the painful gentle zone that Indianapolis repetitively carved up. Want the defensive QB to step up and supply stability shifting ahead.
DL Dean Lowry (37.1, 8). Didn’t have too many notes on his restricted alternatives. Had a plus and detrimental run reps in pink zone protection (44.5 RDEF). Finest grade was 57.4 PRSH, however no pressures, and goose eggs on the stat sheet.
CB Joey Porter (32.8, 66) was the lowest-graded defender, deservingly. Frankly, it was sickening. Allowed 5 catches (seven targets) for 81 yards (16.2/rec), 23 in YAC, a protracted of 32 and a landing, for an abysmal 149.4 score towards and 30.1 COV which have been all workforce worsts. 4 complete tackles, however none have been stops, and missed a bit run sort out early within the recreation. Additionally penalized for DPI, although this was very controversial, one of many few issues that didn’t warrant blame. Comfortable zone impacted? Sure, however no excuse in his horrid efficiency.
Particular Groups:
Glorious (90-Plus Grades):
NONE.
Nice (80-Plus Grades):
NONE.
Good (70-Plus Grades):
NONE.
The Unhealthy (Beneath 50 Grades):
One participant. The bottom particular groups and total grade this week was Porter (29.8, 7). Performed two groups, the bulk on area purpose block. Didn’t be aware something there, however paired with the bottom defensive grade is a twist of the knife to his tough recreation.
Surprises:
- G Spencer Anderson not within the unhealthy grades (58.4).
- S Minkah Fitzpatrick not in not less than the nice tier (66.2), bogus pointless roughness doubtless dinged his 60.1 COV, which deserves an asterisk IMO.
- Calvin Austin’s decrease than anticipated 69.9 PRET grade regardless of a 30-yard explosive that almost broke for a TD.
Who have been yours?
STEELERS WEEK 4 VS. COLTS & TOTAL REGULAR SEASON SNAPS:
WEEK 4 SNAP LEADERS:
OFF- B.Jones, M.McCormick, D.Moore, J.Fields, Z.Frazier.
DEF- J.Porter, M.Fitzpatrick, P.Queen.
ST- Co.Heyward, P.Wilson, M.Robinson, M.Killebrew, R.Williams.
