The Pittsburgh Steelers returned to a nailbiter efficiency, saving the perfect for final on either side of the ball, en path to doing simply sufficient on the scoreboard for his or her fourth-straight win, 28-27, in opposition to the difficult Washington Commanders. On this article, I’ll present the Steelers’ grades from Professional Soccer Focus (PFF) and takeaways from watching the movie.
Offense
Wonderful (90-Plus Grades):
NONE.
Nice (80-Plus Grades):
Only one, WR George Pickens (80.5, 63). Made a number of spectacular catches. A purple zone landing was a miraculous leaping catch with spinning physique management and surviving the bottom in the long run zone for Pittsburgh’s first factors. He had a season-high 18.0 ADOT, 4-of-5 catches for 10-plus, two explosive performs, and compelled missed tackles, displaying his improbable talents within the course of. Not all rosy: a drop, inconsistent RBLK (60.1), and unfastened ball safety, to call a couple of.
Good (70-Plus Grades):
Six right here. QB Russell Wilson (79.9, 78) drove the rollercoaster experience. 14/28 passing for only a 50.0 completion charge factors to inaccuracy, together with his first Steelers interception and taking three sacks. The nice included Pittsburgh’s first three TD efficiency since 2021 per our Alex Kozora, two within the purple zone (thirtieth workforce rank into the matchup), and a 32-yard strike to new Steeler WR Mike Williams within the clutch for the fourth-quarter comeback.
WR Mike Williams (78.6, 9) wasted no time making noise along with his new workforce, catching his first go. Excessive high quality over amount: a third and 9, 32-yard explosive moonball, tracked exceptionally nicely over his head, beating the DB simply for the go-ahead landing with simply over two minutes left. His deep risk prowess is not any secret, and the wedding with Wilson, which many thought was a match made in heaven, rang true proper out of the gates.
T Broderick Jones (74.0, 77) had a greater sport, sadly, a low bar to surpass in a tough 2024. His 82.7 PBLK was by far a season-high (46.9 on the season), charged with no pressures or sacks. Whereas I’d like to agree, I famous a handful of losses that impacted the QB, greater grade than anticipated. 66.9 RBLK was his second-best of 2024, which I’m extra on board with.
TE Darnell Washington (73.8, 50). Closely used 33 RBLK snaps, with an identical 73.8 RBLK to his OVR. It was not his finest day like final week, however he was nicely above the road and carving the way in which on a number of of Pittsburgh’s finest runs, together with RB Najee Harris’ purple zone TD. Abysmal 21.0 PBLK on simply two reps, charged for a sack that I placed on task/Jones, too, pressured Washington into attempting to dam two defenders. Caught 1-of-3 targets, far quieter with simply six yards.
Miles Killebrew (73.1, 1). NOTE: That is for the pretend punt, which PFF counts as an offensive play versus particular groups. He took the snap, firing it to the wide-open Pierre nicely, however off his fingers incomplete. Glad Killebrew wasn’t dinged.
RB Cordarrelle Patterson (70.6, 8). Highest particular person grade was 74.2 PBLK on two snaps. It’s nice to see credit score right here, with an superior blindside pickup, permitting Wilson time and a clear pocket to unleash the TD to Pickens. Three rushed for 14 yards (4.7 YPA), however two had been third down fails, with a bit greater 68.5 RUN than I anticipated.
The Dangerous (Beneath 50 Grades):
4 right here, beginning with TE MyCole Pruitt (47.3, 34). I used to be a lot greater on his efficiency, noting nice general blocking, together with on the transfer and situationally (purple zone/late downs). PFF’s 50.4 RBLK grade was shocking, noting only one egregious loss that was speedy. 51.7 REC, unable to corral an over-the-middle goal that was a bit low. Greatest particular person grade – 73.3 PBLK on three snaps, which I’m extra according to.
WR Calvin Austin (46.5, 35) and Wilson struggled to attach. Caught simply 2-of-6 targets (49.5 REC), most irritating two third and 10 deep shot miscues that basically hadn’t labored beforehand both, which they hopefully regulate to—additionally had a drop undergo his fingers. Optimistic YAC on a display screen and a pleasant scramble drill catch, although.
G Mason McCormick (44.5, 78). I famous him having a powerful begin to the sport however very up and down in the direction of the tip of the second half and past. PFF favored his PBLK (69.7) over a 39.5 RBLK. There have been highs, like purple zone and situationally, together with a pleasant pull in entrance on Harris’ TD. However much more losses, together with extra on the bottom than I’ve seen, throughout the board in his worst efficiency.
ST James Pierre (41.5, 1) for the aforementioned dropped go on the pretend punt. Dagger feeling within the second, with Washington’s offense taking up within the purple zone and scoring off it within the first quarter. Fortunately, the workforce did simply sufficient the remainder of the sport to beat this aggressive early determination that backfired.
Protection
Wonderful (90-Plus Grades):
NONE.
Nice (80-Plus Grades):
NONE.
Good (70-Plus Grades):
5 gamers. EDGE Alex Highsmith (77.8, 51) was the top-graded defender. Charted for 4 complete pressures, three hurries, and a QB hit (76.8 PRSH). The latter got here on an awesome rep with simply over two minutes left and a one-point lead however turned his ankle, forcing his exit. Can’t catch an harm break after simply returning. The place sport deliberate closely on containing QB runs with success, so much less affect within the run sport in opposition to backs (60.7 RDEF).
EDGE T.J. Watt (76.2, 56) was impactful, together with a stable fourth quarter of situational performs, as he’s spoiled us with. Many sturdy late-game go rushes, together with situational stops (and a no-call maintain/attainable security alternative), and 1-of-2 QB hits, forcing an incompletion. A close to interception would’ve been nice for the resume, and did miss a third and 1 run cease that transformed. Confusingly, no sort out grade, although. 74.0 PRSH, 63.7 RDEF.
EDGE Preston Smith (72.1, 23) additionally had a pleasant debut as a Steeler, with three tackles (two TFL). One was a sack on the official stat sheet. Whereas an excellent go rush, DL Keeanu Benton acquired there first. Overwhelming majority of reps had been constructive in my notes. Most pleasing had been pursuit performs, together with a TD saving purple zone display screen chase down and no stop on a third and 15 trick play (TFL). PFF was decrease on his go rush (56.7). 65.0 RDEF, 71.5 TACK, 72.1 COV.
Benton (71.6, 55) did some good issues, together with the just-mentioned sack and a giant batted purple zone go. The inside defensive position was doubled usually, together with Benton, and made for some powerful run protection conditions (54.5 RDEF). It’s not all-encompassing, however it’s essential context. 80.4 PRUSH led the workforce, and each tackles had been stops: the sack and an enormous late-game one-yard scramble on the chunk play-saving sort out.
LB Payton Wilson (70.1, 13) performed much less and graded greater than anticipated. His one “sort out” was touching down a nine-yard catch after dropping his footing in zone protection. This made his 73.2 TACK appear too beneficiant. Hit and miss in run protection, an excellent third and 1 rep, and one other regardless of a no-call block within the again whereas he was pancaked and likewise gave up a lane within the purple zone on the unfavourable aspect. 63.0 RDEF, 66.5 COV.
The Dangerous (Beneath 50 Grades):
4 right here. DL Larry Ogunjobi (46.9, 39) is on this tier for the fifth time this season. Three complete tackles, instantaneous win for a three-yard TFL by far his spotlight, coming early within the sport. He was additionally sufferer to doubles, washed/onto the bottom, together with two of Washington’s three purple zone TDs on Pittsburgh’s No. 1 purple zone protection earlier than the matchup. Move rush struggles, too. Agree with PFF usually: 71.2 TACK, 52.6 PRUSH. 49.1 RDEF.
CB Donte Jackson (41.2, 45) had a tough day, with two penalties (each holding, one offsetting) and a few passive protection earlier than getting injured within the second half. The underside three grades are all CBs and had poor COV grades. Jackson’s 38.3 was the perfect of the worst, particularly permitting a purple zone slant for YAC and 16 yards churning all the way in which to the one-yard line. Huge play of their final rating. Some good, however largely dangerous for the place.
Insert CB Joey Porter Jr. (33,4, 63). I believed he can be the lowest-graded defender. Three penalties (two DPIs a facemask that negated a sack) had been excess of his cleaner 2024 beforehand. Simply 4 over the primary eight video games, and never since Week 4. Allowed six catches on seven targets for 131 yards, by far a team-high. The group isn’t clicking and shutting off deep zone constantly sufficient and giving up too many large performs.
CB Cameron Sutton (27.4, 19) made his return following suspension. Whereas he had his lumps, the 2 most egregious protection performs the place he was crushed badly had been inaccurate incompletions. Hopefully, with some rust shaken off, we don’t see an excessive amount of of that shifting ahead. One other was over-pursuing a display screen. Like I stated, all three CBs had constructive performs however should get issues tightened as much as restrict their opposition to their wishes.
Particular Groups:
Wonderful (90-Plus Grades):
NONE.
Nice (80-Plus Grades):
NONE.
Good (70-Plus Grades):
Beanie Bishop (75.9, 11) performed each kick items, noting three constructive blocks on kick returns, together with the lengthy 35-yarder from Jaylen Warren. Bishop additionally had a 39-yard assisted kick return sort out, there to assist clear it up earlier than additional harm.
The Dangerous (Beneath 50 Grades):
Three gamers. Sutton (45.6, 6) performed solely on punt return, and my solely be aware was not touchdown a block that led to a good catch on the 30-yard line.
Connor Heyward (42.2, 22) performed on 4 items, was a hit-and-miss blocker and didn’t arrange a block on a kick return. The stat sheet has Heyward with two tackles, however one was Pierre. The opposite was a 30-yard kickoff sort out, and did be aware one good blocking on each kickoff and punt return. Decrease than anticipated.
Damontae Kazee (36.9, 6) is the lowest-graded particular teamer. Performed solely punt return unit, with nothing horrible in my notes, together with one constructive block on the fourth quarter 17-yard return.
Surprises:
OFF – Jones’ too-high 82.7 PBLK grade. Pruitt too-low 50.4 RBLK.
DEF – LB Patrick Queen (64.0) and DL Cam Heyward (55.2) too low.
ST – How a lot time you bought? Particularly, Ben Skowronek 64.5 too low (Muffed punt turnover and several other different constructive reps).
Who had been yours?
STEELERS WEEK 10 VS. COMMANDERS & TOTAL REGULAR SEASON SNAPS:
NOTE: I’ve listed the pretend punt as a particular groups snap.
WEEK 10 SNAP LEADERS:
OFF- R. Wilson, D. Moore, M. McCormick, Z. Frazier.
DEF- M. Fitzpatrick, P. Queen.
ST- B. Skowronek, Co. Heyward, J. Moon, J. Pierre, M. Killebrew, M. Robinson, P. Wilson, T. Matakevich.
