Embarrassingly, we’ve to debate a 13-10 divisional loss to Cleveland, whereas Pittsburgh is now 6-4 on the season. The protection saved the Browns on the scoreboard, however the offense did little, particularly within the passing sport. Barely above 100 passing yards, a number of miscommunications, 3-of-14 on third downs and no explosive passing performs have been some key components within the ugly loss.
Offence:
Glorious (90-plus grades):
One of the best offensive grade and total was RB Jaylen Warren (93.2, 26 snaps), deservedly so. He was one of many few vibrant spots on the offense with 129 speeding yards, highlighted by a 74-yard landing run and a 21-yarder, the one explosive performs of the sport. Second consecutive sport over 100, with solely 9 makes an attempt, and added 16 receiving yards, with all three targets caught. Pittsburgh confusingly moved on from him after his success. It’s unconscionable to not depend on one of many few issues which have gone proper that the coaches have to do shifting ahead.
Nice (80-plus grades):
NO.
Good (70-plus grades):
After a significant decline, three gamers are at this stage. G James Daniels (72.4, 58) had a stable sport total, particularly as a cross blocker. His stellar PBLK of 88.8 was highlighted by blocks in house within the display play, with no stress or sacks, however he had a denied ineligible man downfield penalty (one other display). Some good run blocks as nicely, though he did lose a rep that led to RB Najee Harris being hit within the backfield. He was the perfect o-lineman within the sport.
Harris (71.7, 33) had 35 yards on 12 makes an attempt (2.9 YPA). He had six pressured missed tackles, just like his backfieldmate in Warren, however led to only one first down. Harris had a long term of 17, but it surely got here on third-and-22, accounting for almost half of his speeding yards. One catch on his solely goal for one yard, and he had a stellar popularity as a cross professional, contributing to his highest grade of the sport (84.3 PBLK).
C Mason Cole (70.3, 58) has a grade of 70+ for the primary time in 2023 and has been enjoying higher these days after severe issues (beneath 50 in 4 video games). He supplied a robust presence as a run blocker (74.5 RBLK), highlighted by a key block in house on Warren’s landing, and had good moments in cross professional, which additionally concerned the display sport. He did permit two types of stress, however it’s an encouraging constructive pattern from him that may hopefully proceed.
The dangerous (lower than 50 levels):
Surprisingly solely two gamers, beginning with TE Darnell Washington (40.9, 27). Sadly, his lowest particular person grade was run blocking (35.2). Not what you wish to see, since that is his main position. Most egregiously, he was simply placed on his again on a deal with for loss, and he additionally famous a misplaced rep in cross professional. He caught his lone goal for eight yards, with good YAC effort, however was stopped quick on third-and-11.
The bottom offense grade was anticipated to be LT Dan Moore (36.0, 58). The wrestle towards premier cross rushers like Myles Garrett continued. PFF gave him a PBLK grade of 18.8, the worst grade of the weekend, and had an much more excruciating 3.5 towards Garrett in week two. Within the first matchup, Moore allowed six pressures, 4 hurries, two QB hits and no sacks, in comparison with 4 pressures, one rush, one QB hit and two sacks in Week 11. One sack got here on the primary offensive play on the just about secure, and his 50.3 RBLK was the second-worst of 2023, along with his 30.0 additionally towards Cleveland Week Two. Ouch.
Protection:
Glorious (90-plus grades):
NO.
Nice (80-plus grades):
The best ranking for protection was Cameron Heyward (81.3, 46). He was nice in run protection (81.0), third within the IDL over the weekend, together with three of his 4 stops on 5 tackles. One was a one-yard deal with on third and fourth down, a deal with for a lack of two yards, and an ideal hustle play to chase a run 16 yards earlier than the deal with. He additionally supplied a QB rush, however was a lot quieter as a cross rusher (57.9).
Good (70-plus grades):
No fewer than 9 gamers right here. DL Armon Watts (78.0, 27) had a stable efficiency, with three tackles, together with a two-yard run deal with within the crimson zone, and an ideal monitor report of stopping one other for no acquire. Had a pleasant cross rush, late for the frenzy, however noticed it mendacity on the bottom on one other floor.
CB Chandon Sullivan (77.0, 27) dedicated the one turnover of the sport on an interception late within the third quarter on third-and-15, and in addition had a pleasant cross breakup. He allowed two catches on 4 targets for 14 yards for an 18.8 towards ranking, his greatest mark of 2023.
DL Isaiahh Loudermilk (76.8, 18) had a second robust efficiency and made encouraging strides in run protection (77.6). He had only one deal with, an encouraging run cease for no acquire, however stuffed the lanes very nicely, together with double groups, one for no acquire and one other for a lack of 4 in my notes.
EDGE Alex Highsmith (76.4, 66) was quiet by his requirements, with only one stress on a third-down QB hit, but in addition picked up a roughing-the-passer penalty on one other third-down. He did have six tackles and three stops, two of which have been towards the run.
DL Keeanu Benton (74.8, 39) was once more a stable run defender, with two of his three stops approaching 4 mixed tackles, working notably nicely by means of site visitors. He additionally confirmed this on a third-and-10 RB catch, which arrange a wow play for the cease. No stress although, and was touched by the curious defensive postponement of the match penalty which was baffling.
S Miles Killebrew (74.4, 16) supplied good protection (42.4 ranking towards), permitting one catch on three targets and making a stable deal with on the open RB dump-off for simply 5 yards. S Elijah Riley (72.9) suffered an ankle harm and left after simply 9 snaps. He was energetic in that point with three complete tackles (76.7 TACK), one for a cease on a crimson zone run. Happily, backups are nicely stepped up.
Talking of which, LB Elandon Roberts (71.1, 75) did so admirably. He led the workforce with a powerful 15 tackles, together with two TFLs on RB screens, displaying off his nice downhill talents. These highlighted his spectacular 9 stops within the sport, seven of which got here within the passing sport. Roberts posted an 86.0 TACK and 83.3 COV grade, the latter of which was encouraging to see after the lack of Cole Holcomb. Nonetheless, PFF gave him a modest RDEF of 44.3, unfair contemplating a one-yard deal with on third and 4 runs, two tackles on quick discover, plugging one other two-yarder downhill, however did notice {that a} profitable crimson zone run was allowed and dangerous angle/rep
EDGE Nick Herbig (70.7) barely performed anymore, with simply three snaps. Two got here towards the run, with one making a great end for a mixed deal with. He missed a deal with on a display behind the road and went for a four-yard acquire, which surprisingly did not have an effect on his grade as negatively as anticipated.
The dangerous (lower than 50 levels):
The bottom grade on protection and the one participant beneath 50 was DL DeMarvin Leal (28.2, 5). 36.8 RDEF grade, together with one rep the place he was nicely sealed with out stress as a cross rusher (59.7).
Particular groups:
Glorious (90-plus grades):
NO.
Nice (80-plus grades):
NO.
Good (70-plus grades):
4 gamers at this stage. The best grade on particular groups was Trenton Thompson (77.9, 13), together with an assisted deal with. Nick Herbig (72.7, 23) additionally pushed a 12-yard kick return out of bounds, whereas Rodney Williams (70.9, 16) tackled a 17-yard return, and Mark Robinson mixed for an encouraging four-yard deal with. yield. Surprisingly, although, there aren’t any defensive snaps for him.
The dangerous (lower than 50 levels):
Three gamers right here. LS Christian Kuntz (49.2, 11), Roberts (48.4, 13) included a missed deal with, and the bottom grade on particular groups was TJ Watt (29.6, 4). He was criticized for a disallowed offside on Cleveland’s heartbreaking area aim. Additionally had his lowest DEF grade of 69.4 of 2023, yielding Pittsburgh’s solely sack in a stale workforce efficiency. Hopefully dominant once more quickly.
Surprises:
- QB Kenny Pickett (52.5, 58). 106 passing yards, wow. The terrible effort marked the fourth straight sport of 160 yards or much less, certainly one of many painful truths that our personal Alex Kozora highlighted extra deeply in his statistics of the odd. 15/28 for an abysmal completion proportion of 53.6, together with accuracy and communication points, incompletions on three consecutive last drives, no touchdowns, three sacks and throwaways, although he did maintain his streak of non-interceptions going. I did not assume it may get any more durable to look at, however I used to be improper.
- Roberts’ 71.1 DEF ranking.
- Calvin Austin III’s 63.8 PRET grade. Three returns, every over 14 yards, a protracted of 21 and the second-best 17.0 YPA over the weekend.
Who have been yours?
STEELERS VS. BROWNS WEEK 11 SNAPS & REGULAR SEASON TOTAL SNAPS:
Snap Leaders Week 11: OUT-Pickett/OL. DEFKazee/Roberts. ST-Nick Herbig/Boykin/Robinson/Pierre/Killebrew.
Season: TOTAL-Peterson. OUT-Seumalu/Cole. DEFPeterson. ST-Nick Herbig.
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