The Pittsburgh Steelers received off to an all-too-common gradual begin in Sunday’s sport in opposition to the Las Vegas Raiders. However they cranked issues up after halftime. The latter included scoring 20 factors, defensive and particular groups turnovers, and a not often snug 32-13 win in opposition to the short-handed Las Vegas Raiders.
On this article, I’ll present knowledge from Professional Soccer Focus (PFF) and takeaways from watching the movie.
Offense:
Wonderful (90-Plus Grades):
RB Najee Harris (90.7, 31 snaps) balled out. 106 dashing yards, 14 makes an attempt, for a career-high 7.6 YPA (beforehand 3.8). Indignant runs with 86 yards after contact, six pressured missed tackles, 4 10-plus runs, and an elusive ranking all had been prime two ranks in Week Six. Two explosive rushes with good imaginative and prescient and slicing, too. A 26-yarder eluding within the backfield, then a candy juke one-on-one, making that DB look foolish. Additionally, a 36-yard TD slicing inside, churning by means of visitors, bursting to the sideline, and a very good diving extension simply crossing the plain.
Crazily, it was the crew’s first working again TD of 2024 and one which got here in splash style. Plus, the crew had not often scored on explosive performs this season, and Harris delivered. Nice sport.
Nice (80-Plus Grades):
One other RB, Jonathan Ward (84.0, 6). Three carries, 13 yards, and 4.3 common are good on paper. An asterisk is that they got here late with the sport at hand and didn’t like that two had been tosses. Why threat a fumble at this stage with the sport over? All is properly, although. They went for five and 6-yards to arrange victory formation.
Good (70-Plus Grades):
Three gamers. WR Calvin Austin (78.3, 24) caught 2-of-5 targets. The 2 completions had been good third-down catches. First, an explosive 20-yard intermediate crosser on third and 11, an excellent route and catch in opposition to tight path protection. The opposite a third and a couple of, getting open on a pleasant in-breaking route and 16-yard acquire.
G Spencer Anderson (72.0, 11) performed some tackle-eligible, noting a missed run block within the first half, and guard when the sport was determined with particularly stronger go blocking in my notes. PFF grades had been related (76.6 PBLK, 60.0 RBLK).
Rookie C Zach Frazier (70.1, 48) had one other strong efficiency general. Sadly, he was rolled up on and left with an ankle harm. Fortunately, the harm appears comparatively minor. In sport, famous a greater RBLK sport (71.9) than PBLK (59.5), however the latter barely decrease than anticipated. Charged with no pressures or sacks, with the primary points in my notes weren’t touchdown blocks on the second stage, and a few communication warts particularly on twists.
The Dangerous (Beneath 50 Grades):
Three right here. It actually wasn’t T Broderick Jones’ finest day (49.3, 67). Move blocking was painful, permitting 5 pressures, three hurries, a QB hit, and a sack. His 24.7 grade is lifeless final amongst tackles of the week (pre-Monday Evening Soccer). Had a holding penalty early second quarter, a painful stretch to look at when a number of pass-blocking points occurred. Higher in RBLK (64.2), notably fourth quarter was good to see, however took lumps there as properly. Tough 2024 general that hopefully turns round quickly.
Two TEs on the backside of the record. Connor Heyward (44.4, 24) and Darnell Washington (44.3, 49). Every had a penalty as properly, a false begin and holding within the first half, culprits within the crew persevering with to shoot themselves within the foot early. Heyward’s impacted a three-and-out, and Washington was crushed on a PBLK badly.
It was Washington’s worst RBLK efficiency of the yr (36.8), tied for the worst amongst his place this week. He did have a brief catch, churning a number of defenders for 9 yards, however blocking is his function, and hopefully, he’ll enhance quickly.
Protection:
Wonderful (90-Plus Grades):
EDGE T.J. Watt (94.7, 52) was the highest grade on protection and general, as anticipated. Regardless of being often double/triple teamed, had 5 solo tackles, together with 4 run stops (unsuccessful offensive performs), two TFLs, and most clutch 2 FF. Led to an elite 99.0 RDEF grade, simply the most effective in Week Six.
Each led to well timed turnovers, one earlier than halftime that resulted in an offensive landing and the opposite clutch within the fourth quarter. His different grades felt low: 63.5 PRSH, 60.8 COV, 52.7 TACK. Was charged with a missed run sort out, a troublesome diving alternative that I wouldn’t categorize as such, and no pressures or sacks, however was nonetheless impactful and across the QB. MVP.
LB Elandon Roberts (91.9, 27) additionally lands within the wonderful tier for the second straight week. 5 complete tackles, one other large objective line TFL in back-to-back weeks, and a QB hit. Each these large performs got here within the first half, a uncommon spark because the unit struggled (to their requirements). Two tackles went for stops and had been strong throughout the board: 90.2 RDEF (second amongst LBs Week Six), 85.2 PRUSH (first), together with 79.3 TACK and 66.8 COV. Impactful.
Nice (80-Plus Grades):
Only one, DL Cam Heyward (86.4, 40), who has graded 70-plus in each sport in an incredible 2024 season so far. 4 complete tackles (three stops), a TFL, two QB hits, and a sack with a pleasant in-out transfer to win. He was additionally doubled typically, and nonetheless making performs left and proper for himself or others. Throwing males round, diverse strikes, stepping up situationally with two fourth-quarter pink zone run protection reps adopted by his sack. Nice day from the captain.
Good (70-Plus Grades):
4 right here. S Terrell Edmunds (76.7, 15) received extra time on protection with Damontae Kazee out. He made a pleasant open-field run sort out on third and 11 with the protection considering go in off protection. A 72.8 COV was increased than I anticipated, with PFF charting a PBU that I didn’t be aware or make the official stat sheet.
DL Montravius Adams (73.2, 14) had an excellent sport. Glad he received some flowers. He was getting an excellent push off the road in each the run and go sport, a number of plus go rushes, together with one which pressured a late-game throwaway. I did be aware a few losses as a go rusher, too, and no pressures on the stat sheet, however that, in fact, doesn’t inform the complete story. Working example: only one sort out, nevertheless it was a third and 5 that pressured a three-and-out to formally finish the sport.
CB Donte Jackson (72.9, 50) had a tough begin to the sport, particularly protection points, and had two missed tackles (24.3 TACK). His one sort out was a pleasant cease/sort out on a brief catch within the second half as properly. Jackson turned it on late although, with a fourth-quarter interception that included an explosive 24-yard return, an explosive turnover that I used to be clamoring for within the hyperlink at first of the article. Undercut one other go late for his second PBU, nice recognition, however sadly, dropped the pick-six alternative.
S Minkah Fitzpatrick (70.0, 57) was as soon as once more a gentle power, particularly cleansing up performs with strong tackles within the second stage (82.5 TACK). 4 complete tackles, and was solely focused as soon as, which continues to indicate his influence in “don’t throw it to that man”.
The Dangerous (Beneath 50 Grades):
Six dangerous grades. EDGE Eku Leota (49.9, 13) received a chance with the slew of accidents on the place. Famous two plus pink zone run protection reps, together with an assisted pink zone sort out regardless of a chip by the lineman, although PFF didn’t credit score him for the stat. Struggled as a go rusher late sport in my notes. Right here’s his particular person grades: 60.0 COV (one snap), 58.5 RDEF, 51.4 PRUSH.
DL Larry Ogunjobi (45.1, 33) lands on this tier for the second straight week. Had two assisted run tackles, working down the road properly on one. Additionally had a number of different good reps general, however the losses far outweighed the great. Pushed again for the outlet on a pink zone dashing TD, over pursuits and hole integrity, pancaked twice (that I caught), and lack of go rush in my notes and on the stat sheet.
CB Joey Porter Jr. (43.0, 63) had a tough day. 4 complete tackles, no stops, a missed sort out with poor method diving on the participant’s ft, 4 catches on 5 targets for 65 yards, together with an explosive 30-yarder, the longest play of the sport. Sure, a few of that was the tender zone Pittsburgh employs typically however seen significantly better days from him.
EDGE Jeremiah Moon (40.6, 45) was actually not the participant he was changing in Alex Highsmith. Only one assisted sort out (no stops). A optimistic was his effort, enjoying to the whistle and chasing down performs properly out of his space, together with that sort out. Hit and miss in any other case, notably noting extra optimistic go rushes than run protection, with roughly equal losses in every. Additionally, there was seemingly a protection miscommunication on him, leaving a wide-open receiver.
Two DL backside the record. Dean Lowry (36.6, 6) and Isaiahh Loudermilk (30.6, 9). Lowry has seemed a bit higher than grades that hover round this space on the season, noting a pleasant pink zone run protection rep on this sport.
Loudermilk has sub-40 grades the final two video games. Had a rush on this one, forcing a throwaway, however famous a poor run protection day. His particular person grades had been complicated: 60.1 RDEF, 72.5 TACK, 55.8 PRSH, 57.1 COV regardless of no protection snaps. All had been properly above his general too.
Particular Groups:
Wonderful (90-Plus Grades):
Moon (92.1, 15) was the top-graded particular teamer, as anticipated, slicing up the center for a well timed third-quarter punt block that was tide-changing in Pittsburgh’s favor. Additionally had a kick return sort out and performed on 4 particular crew phases as properly.
Nice (80-Plus Grades):
Edmunds (89.0, 16) made one other record and was a four-teamer. Credited with two particular groups tackles, together with an incredible gunner rep to hit the punt returner out of bounds for no acquire.
Good (70-Plus Grades):
5 right here. Miles Killebrew (73.7, 17), Payton Wilson (73.4, 16), Mark Robinson (73.1, 16), and Beanie Bishop Jr. (71.5, 13). Every was a core man, noting the primary three making a wall in nice crew kickoff protection. Additionally famous Wilson with an excellent block on the opening kickoff return. Bishop made the sort out off the punt block on the nine-yard line, placing the offense in nice subject place (though that led to a FG).
Okay Chris Boswell (73.4, 14) tied with Wilson’s grade with 4 subject objectives, together with a 52-yarder to get factors on the primary drive, together with connecting from 49 yards on the third drive. Regular Eddie, and as HC Mike Tomlin says, anticipated however appreciated.
Good day for the unit.
The Dangerous (Beneath 50 Grades):
Only one, Connor Heyward (47.3, 17). My notes on him had been optimistic, together with the aforementioned nice crew kickoff protection and slicing off the run lane following the punt block. Stunning from what I noticed.
Surprises:
- Patrick Queen’s 51.5 grade was manner worse than anticipated.
- Jonathan Ward’s robust grade.
- Connor Heyward worse than anticipated particular groups grade.
Who had been yours?
STEELERS WEEK 6 VS. COWBOYS & TOTAL REGULAR SEASON SNAPS:
WEEK 6 SNAP LEADERS:
OFF- B. Jones, M. McCormick, J. Fields.
DEF- J. Porter, P. Queen, D. Elliott.
ST- Co. Heyward, R. Williams, M. Killebrew.
