After a three-game successful streak to start out the 2024 season, the Pittsburgh Steelers are actually on a two-game shedding streak (3-2) following one other sloppy and situationally poor outing total in opposition to the Dallas Cowboys.
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):
RB Najee Harris is the highest grade on offense (81.1, 43 snaps). His baseline dashing stats had been restricted as soon as once more: 14 makes an attempt, 42 yards, 3.0 YPA, and no TDs in 2024 nonetheless. Really, has extra receiving yards in current weeks. Included a 20-yard explosive display that was…profitable, a rarity for some time now. Half of the explosive performs within the sport, together with a 15-yarder (73.7 REC). 81.0 RUN grade is his better of 2024. Good to see props for his greatest yards after contact efficiency, profitable run charge, and situational performs just like the 4th and 1 conversion.
Good (70-Plus Grades):
Six gamers, excess of anticipated. Elevated WR Brandon Johnson (78.8, 5) caught his lone goal on a nine-yard crosser within the fourth quarter. The grade appears wealthy. G Isaac Seumalo (78.7, 58) made his 2024 debut. He had his fair proportion of struggles in his return from damage, extra as a cross blocker in my notes. PFF agreed, with an 83.1 RBLK (team-high) and 43.4 PBLK (team-worst). Wasn’t anticipating the latter to be that low, however right here’s to hoping that traits properly subsequent week.
Rookie C Zach Frazier (76.0, 58) continues to play properly, with 70-plus grades in 4-of-5 video games. I anticipated the latter to be higher at 77.8 RBLK in comparison with 60.4 PBLK. PFF charged him with no pressures or sacks, and I famous only a few misplaced reps, probably the most notable being on the bottom as soon as.
TE Connor Heyward (73.2, 13) had one in every of Pittsburgh’s two receiving touchdowns, getting large open on a purple zone nook route with YAC. Was unable to corral two targets, although. One explosive air yard try hit his arms on a diving effort and the opposite a pleasant idea, getting open on third and 1 however falling incomplete because the defender punched it out. 82.6 REC nonetheless led the staff and was not nice as a run blocker (57.0).
QB Kyle Allen (73.2) got here in for simply two snaps, and QB Justin Fields took a shot, compelled to get checked out momentarily. Allen’s first play was a hand-off, then had a pleasant intermediate over the center throw to Pat Freiermuth for a achieve of 19 with YAC.
Rookie G Mason McCormick impressed me. A few handful of misplaced cross reps (53.7 PBLK), extra pushed again than beat (famous one of many latter). PFF had him for one strain (a rush). 72.1 RBLK, together with the gotta have it 4th and 1 Harris conversion and actually confirmed he can tackle the beginning position, in my view.
The Unhealthy (Beneath 50 Grades):
RB Aaron Shampklin (48.8, 11) had 4 carries for 14 yards, 3.5 YPA, and a 46.0 RUN. Essential context is situational, beginning with dwelling for a subject objective early on a third and eight toss, gaining 5 yards. One other three got here earlier than halftime, backed up in their very own finish, keen to go to the locker room. Most egregious to ding him for was a poor cross block, permitting a third and 5 hit on Fields that was batted incomplete within the second half (59.8 PBLK).
T Broderick Jones (48.0, 58) struggled in each the run and cross sport. I famous a very poor stretch to finish the sport, negatively impacting Pittsburgh’s comeback try. That got here largely in cross professional (48.7), with PFF viewing his RBLK worse (48.7). Each had been dangerous, little question, in ups and downs all through the sport.
This week’s lowest offensive grade is TE Darnell Washington (44.1, 30). Finest particular person grade was 75.9 PBLK, however a 51.8 RBLK. My notes had been a bit extra even, with a number of misplaced reps in every, agreeing that run block was worse of the 2. 52.1 REC, catching one in every of his two targets for 5 yards, avoiding the strip try. The incompletion was an explosive overthrow from Fields that will have been a purple zone journey. One other responsible social gathering of penalty, with a false begin.
Protection:
Wonderful (90-Plus Grades):
Three gamers. LB Elandon Roberts is the highest-graded defender total (93.7, 21). Had a wow play, timing the snap on the Steelers’ objective line, flying in Troy Polamalu-esque to power the fumble with 37 seconds left to take care of their 17-13 lead. The flip facet is the unfortunate bounce that went the Cowboy’s manner and, in the end, their game-winning TD two performs later—one of many all-too-many examples of missed alternatives.
EDGE Nick Herbig’s (91.0, 41) second alternative to fill the beginning position sans Alex Highsmith (groin damage) was significantly better. Sadly, Herbig exited the sport with a hamstring damage, too. Depth on the place within the rapid future is in jeopardy. Tied for a team-high 5 pressures, a half sack, two mixed tackles, and spectacular run TFL. 90.0 PRSH and 73.3 RDEF, with the previous rating first in Week 5, and littered my notes with positives.
EDGE T.J. Watt (90.3, 70) was excellent, tying Herbig in pressures (5), eight mixed tackles, 1.5 sacks, a TFL, three QB hits, and a FF. The primary storyline was reaching 100 profession sacks, fairly a uncommon accomplishment because the second-fastest participant in NFL historical past. However the place he graded greatest was 84.8 RDEF, which he did make some nice performs however missed two run tackles (44.0 TACK), and felt his 75.2 PRSH was too low. Particular person grades decrease than total once more.
Nice (80-Plus Grades):
One participant, DL Cameron Heyward (86.2, 55). Led the staff in hurries (4), had 4 whole pressures, a third and 1 QB hit that compelled intentional grounding, and 4 mixed tackles (two stops). Finest 86.6 PRSH of 2024 for Cam, although his 66.7 RDEF is decrease than he’s spoiled us to anticipate. Famous a handful of misplaced reps there, however it’s the place each stops got here. Nonetheless a pleasant day from the captain.
Good (70-Plus Grades):
Three right here. DL DeMarvin Leal (77.8, 12) had an assisted sort out and a strain earlier than exiting the sport with an damage, as he was additionally filling in on the EDGE place. The room was decimated, and right here’s to hoping for constructive information this week.
CB Joey Porter (74.7, 75) had an enormous play, with an incredible observe and interception of Dak Prescott on a deep goal. Additionally, good protection on one other to power an incompletion, and loved him setting the sting to assist restrict a four-yard display. There have been a number of different performs given up, and probably the most discouraging was the tackling effort. He, fairly frankly, regarded disinterested at instances, noting three clear cases.
LB Patrick Queen’s 72.3 grade is his highest of 2024, and he performed each defensive snap (76). Tied for second on the staff with 9 whole tackles, three stops, however two missed tackles. PFF appreciated his RDEF greatest (70.5), which I believed was beneficiant, with a few good ones however a number of losses, together with third-down conversions. 68.4 COV was up subsequent, however I aligned extra with their 59.1 TACK in my notes.
The Unhealthy (Beneath 50 Grades):
4 right here. CB Beanie Bishop (42.4, 57) had a tough day. He had three tackles, together with a WR run for 2 yards, however that was his solely cease. 78.4 TACK felt robust. He was totally picked on in protection (50.2), PFF charting him for a team-high eight targets, six catches allowed, 90 yards, 41 in YAC, and a 40.3 RDEF. On prime of all that, two penalties. A facemask on a sort out out of bounds and an enormous third and seven holding that negated a Heyward sack. I believed he’d be the bottom grade, to be trustworthy.
The remainder had been d-lineman, all of which I anticipated on this tier. DL Isaiahh Loudermilk (39.9, 14) was a goose egg on the stat sheet, nada. I famous nearly all misplaced reps, with a bit extra in run protection and a missed sort out.
DL Larry Ogunjobi (33.1, 15) had one good win off the road to get a run sort out for loss, which was by far the spotlight of his evening (67.4 TACK). 38.1 RDEF, and famous him on the bottom a number of instances, and never a lot cross rush (53.0). It was not his greatest day, however he was on the damage report main as much as the sport. DL Montravius Adams (31.6, 27) is the lowest-graded defender. Dropping almost each rep in my notes, with the exception being two run-stop tackles. In any other case, plain ugly, in my view.
Particular Groups:
Wonderful (90-Plus Grades):
Loudermilk (93.4, 8) is expectedly the highest-graded particular teamer. I did be aware him on the bottom on the opening kickoff. That is forgivable in comparison with coming away with an enormous subject objective block, one other key play that was made, nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient to seal the victory.
Nice (80-Plus Grades):
NONE.
Good (70-Plus Grades):
Jeremiah Moon (73.2, 8) made his Steelers debut off of IR, making an influence on particular groups. Famous him for a very good punt rush and blocking on the 34-yard kick return. Was additionally thrust into extra defensive snaps than anticipated (28) with Herbig’s damage, which can be required shifting ahead.
The Unhealthy (Beneath 50 Grades):
Beanie Bishop (45.3, 9) had a kick return sort out, however Dallas was capable of carry it out for 38 yards. Additionally had a false begin on the punt staff.
Damontae Kazee (41.1, 4) was the lowest-graded particular teamer. Penalized for an unlawful formation, shifting early on the opening kickoff, and added much more yardage to that lengthy return. The primary of many irritating errors on this one, actually proper out of the gates.
Surprises:
- Brandon Johnson has the second-highest offensive grade.
- Beanie Bishop not the bottom defensive grade.
- Patrick Queen a bit greater grade than I anticipated.
Who had been yours?
STEELERS WEEK 5 VS. COWBOYS & TOTAL REGULAR SEASON SNAPS:
WEEK 5 SNAP LEADERS:
OFF- J. Fields, beginning offensive line.
DEF- P.Queen.
ST- Co.Heyward, M.Killebrew, M.Robinson, P.Wilson, R.Williams, T.Edmunds.
Thanks for studying, and let me know your ideas within the feedback.
