Any given Sunday, or on this case Thursday night time. Significantly within the AFC North, because the Cleveland Browns (now 3-8) topped the Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3) in an insanely wonky 24-19 visiting staff loss.
On this article I’ll present knowledge from Professional Soccer Focus (PFF) and takeaways from watching the movie.
Offense:
Wonderful (90-Plus Grades):
NONE.
Nice (80-Plus Grades):
NONE.
Good (70-Plus Grades):
4 right here. QB Russell Wilson had the best offensive grade (79.9, 62 snaps). Good day contemplating the circumstances, season-high 17 pressures he’s confronted, and 4 sacks (T-most). 21-of-28 (75-percent), with three throwaways (debatably 4, close to INT), a pleasant price within the components. Added a 10-yard scramble, however did fumble. Three big-time throws (T-season excessive), second-best 270 yards, 4 explosive passes and a TD.
TE Pat Freiermuth (79.0, 44) noticed his most targets (4) since Week 4, fortunately. Over the center was encouraging, on a third and 6 slant for 22 yards with plenty of YAC, and put up with churning YAC for 19 yards. Much more refreshing, a uncommon 4th and brief conversion within the recreation, coming again to Wilson for the 9-yard massive catch. Leak out with 50 seconds down 5 was an instance of a number of irritating teaching points.
WR Calvin Austin (76.2, 40). Two of the groups six explosive performs on three targets. Longest play of 46 yards, beating his man deep over the center. Would-be TD if Wilson lofted it out extra, with Austin having to gradual up (allowed deal with). The opposite 23-yard explosive was a house-call, an ideal pitch (QB hit) and contested catch on a slot put up finish zone strike, taking the lead mid-fourth quarter. Like this utilization too, over current unsuccessful sideline go-balls.
WR Van Jefferson’s (75.5, 18) spotlight was on the latter, getting between two defenders downfield for the 35-yard explosive play. A third and 6 crosser early failed although, focused wanting the sticks and tackled rapidly, noting Freiermuth additionally within the space creating extra site visitors than mandatory. Performed far much less snaps, and wasn’t his finest day run blocking (59.3).
The Dangerous (Under 50 Grades):
Only one, surprisingly. TE Connor Heyward was the bottom grade on offense, and general (29.8, 14). Two first half penalties (false begin, declined unlawful formation) had been face-palming in a sloppy recreation, together with getting blown up as a blocker on a number of events. Did have two key ones, pancaking two defenders directly springing QB Justin Fields’ 30-yard explosive run, and a pleasant pull on the purple zone TD (RB Jaylen Warren). No targets both.
Protection:
Wonderful (90-Plus Grades):
EDGE Nick Herbig was the best grade on protection, and general (93.1, 45). Got here up massive once more with an enormous strip sack fourth quarter turnover, with the staff down 18-13, immediately successful across the edge with the large hit punch-out. Additionally had one other QB hit, team-high 4 whole pressures and three hurries for a stellar 94.6 PRUSH. 5 mixed tackles, with 4 stops in each run/cross recreation. Two missed tackles although, each in RDEF (69.8).
Nice (80-Plus Grades):
NONE.
Good (70-Plus Grades):
4 gamers. LB Payton Wilson (79.7, 32) has performed properly the final three video games. 4 mixed tackles, three for stops. An aggressive run fill/cease early, one other assisted one clear across the edge within the fourth quarter, and a third and 5 stable catch cease simply wanting the chains ending the third quarter. Additionally hit a receiver on a third and three (S DeShon Elliott pass-breakup) making certain no catch. Strong grades: 77.7 TACK, 76.4 COV, 68.7 RDEF.
EDGE T.J. Watt (76.0, 56) was quieter than anticipated, usually dominate in opposition to Cleveland, although he did make some performs. Solely two pressures (each hurries), and had extra cross rush wins within the second half. Famous getting pushed up the arc, and on the bottom greater than anticipated, even on reps he was singled up on (70.4 PRUSH). 4 mixed tackles, with two run stops together with a deal with for loss (good block shed). Misplaced reps too (69.0 RDEF).
DL Cam Heyward (75.1, 51) was simpler in PRUSH (89.2) than his typical RDEF (52.7). A number of misplaced reps within the latter. On the bottom, hole integrity, and late recreation missed alternative within the purple zone and on the TD that sealed Pittsburgh’s destiny. Good included two bats, one on a giant third down cease second half. Six mixed tackles, three good run stops, wins in opposition to double-teams, and a few situational cross rush wins.
DL Larry Ogunjobi (72.1, 41) had three assisted tackles, with one run cease, a QB hit, and a negated bat. Some good RDEF (69.8), his finest particular person grade. Famous a number of points although: shedding, angles, and lacked push on one aspect of a gapping gap/massive run. Fairly even with a handful of received/misplaced PRSH (63.7). Received a late recreation strain (solely of the sport), however couldn’t get residence on an explosive play. Missed deal with.
The Dangerous (Under 50 Grades):
4 as properly, sadly. S Minkah Fitzpatrick (48.2, 59) had a down recreation. Three solo tackles had been of the cleanup selection (different points), two chunk performs, and seven-yard purple zone catch earlier than their game-winning TD run. Credited with a FF, which the bottom precipitated, the receiver recovered on a piece catch allowed. Beat on late recreation TE protection (48.4), stalled on his lone PRUSH (58.7, might be decrease), and two missed tackles (35.5 TACK).
CB Joey Porter Jr. (46.3, 56) had a tough day in protection. Allowed catches on all 5 of his targets, 110.0 score in opposition to, and fourth quarter defensive holding. Beat on three man protection reps, giving separation, beforehand one of many higher within the league at limiting it. Two late recreation had been a 4th and three rub/out route conversion that picked him, and beat on a third and 6 crosser he tried to cross off. 39.4 COV, 80.1 TACK (team-high, no stops), and plus 70.3 RDEF (an excellent edge set).
DL Dean Lowry (46.2, 13) merely can’t escape this record (6-of-9 video games). 36.7 RDEF included a 4th and 1 conversion and two-yard TD. Was credited for a rush, however different reps had been stagnant or losses in my notes. PFF thought increased of these snaps (77.1). No tackles, or different stat contributions.
DL Keeanu Benton was the bottom grade on protection (38.9, 28). Run protection was reasonably painful (35.7), worst on the staff, and tied for a private low in 2024. Double digit losses, together with the groups purple zone woes. One assisted deal with (reinforcement), and one QB hit within the second half.
The vast majority of the staff had been restricted as cross rushers, together with Benton, with that being his solely strain. 60.0 PRUSH even appeared excessive. Was proper there on the 4th and aim TD scramble, however couldn’t make the play and was arguably held. Plenty of missed performs by Pittsburgh’s protection, however that one’s etched in my mind, painfully.
Particular Groups:
Wonderful (90-Plus Grades):
The very best graded particular teamer was Payton Wilson (90.1, 12), who additionally had an excellent day on protection. Two good second half kick return tackles, plus kick protection block, and good blocking on the ultimate kick return. A giant unfavorable was poor punt shield on the close to block, effecting the 15-yard punt shank. Anticipated a decrease grade.
Nice (80-Plus Grades):
Ben Skowronek (88.3, 12) had an assisted kick return deal with, and plus kickoff protection in my notes. Bit increased than I anticipated as properly.
Good (70-Plus Grades):
Two gamers. James Pierre (77.4, 12) had a deal with, and good kick return blocking. Famous good kick protection too, but in addition a missed angle and pancaked late on one other.
Jeremiah Moon (77.2, 12) had a kickoff deal with, however famous a poor angle first and having to chase the 28-yarder down.
The Dangerous (Under 50 Grades):
Three right here. Isaiahh Loudermilk (49.7, 9) had an excellent kickoff protection rep, however a missed deal with on one other that weighed closely on barely making this tier.
Cameron Heyward (44.2, 8) had a false begin on FG staff, one other self-inflicted staff wound that made for a tougher FG that Chris Boswell fortunately made (although he did miss a 58 yarder, snow recreation asterisk).
The bottom grade on particular groups was Damontae Kazee (35.7, 1). That lone snap was bone-headed. Blocking on punt protection properly out of bounds, for an pointless roughness that gave them extra yardage than the 12-yard shanked punt. What are you doing?
Did I point out this recreation was wonky?
Surprises:
OFF – Dan Moore higher than anticipated 68.8 PBLK. Owned by EDGE Myles Garrett general: 5 pressures, three hurries, and two sacks allowed per PFF (much more misplaced reps).
DEF – Agreed with these grades general. Not egregious, however thought Watt’s 76.0 DEF was a bit excessive in a quiet recreation (Garrett 90.4, for these protecting rating on the “rivalry”).
ST – P Corliss Waitman, for the second week in a row. Had one punt, shanking a 15-yarder out of bounds. Means too excessive 60.0 PUNT, usually an “common” rating. What?!
Who had been yours?
STEELERS WEEK 12 VS. BROWNS & TOTAL REGULAR SEASON SNAPS:
WEEK 12 SNAP LEADERS:
OFF- O-line.
DEF- M.Fitzpatrick.
ST- B.Skowronek, Co.Heyward, J.Moon, M.Killebrew, M.Robinson, P.Wilson, T.Matakevich.
