Steelers Vs Vikings: PFF Grades And Snap Counts

The Pittsburgh Steelers are 3-1 heading into the bye week following a 24-21 victory. Sadly, it received shut on the finish, however it was an total sturdy efficiency for a lot of the sport. On this article, I’ll present the Steelers’ information from Professional Soccer Focus (PFF), together with grades and takeaways.

Offense:

Wonderful (90-Plus Grades):

The best grade on offense and total was WR DK Metcalf (91.0 grade, 42 snaps). The most effective spotlight was a quadruple explosive 80-yard TD on a put up, threaded between defenders at 14 air yards, and turning on the jets for the home name because of a superb downfield block. Went 5-for-5 receiving for 126 yards, was refreshingly concerned early, with a wonderful 90.9 receiving grade. 52.7 run block.

Nice (80-Plus Grades):

RB Kenneth Gainwell (85.0, 41) stepped up with Jaylen Warren sidelined. Posted 134 complete yards, 99 of them dashing with 19 makes an attempt (5.2 common), two touchdowns, and 6-of-6 receiving for 35 yards. 85.4 run grade and 77.5 go block grades additionally level to some strengths of the efficiency. 64.9 receiving grade.

Good (70-Plus Grades):

G Mason McCormick (79.3, 53) had a a lot better sport. 86.7 go block was finest on the staff, fifth amongst NFL guards (pre-MNF). No pressures or sacks allowed, together with a 72.8 run block that additionally led Pittsburgh. My sport notes had been suffering from positives, and hopefully, he can stack extra performances comparable to this, probably the greatest in his younger profession.

Dangerous (Beneath 50 Grades):

Two gamers. WR Ben Skowronek (46.0, 18) was dinged most for run blocking (31.2), worst on the staff. However I famous some strong reps, notably within the second half, that made this grade a shock. 53.7 receiving grade, unable to catch his lone goal on a purple zone go that went over his head late within the sport.

The bottom grade on offense was RB Kaleb Johnson (44.9, 11). His lowest grade was a 27.8 receiving, worst on the staff, dropping his lone goal on a checkdown. Bought six dashing makes an attempt, going for 22 yards (3.7 common). A number of had been unsuccessful, but additionally had 9 and 6 yard good points within the second half. 56.0 run grade.

Protection:

Wonderful (90-Plus Grades):

NONE.

Nice (80-Plus Grades):

Two males. LB Cole Holcomb (87.0, 10) performed a pleasant sport, offering high quality over amount. His finest grade was in protection (78.0), making a strong sort out on a play for simply three yards. 71.6 sort out grade. Simply two run protection snaps (60.0).

CB James Pierre (85.2, 23) received extra time than typical, with accidents within the secondary. Given the perfect 85.2 protection grade for the Steelers, with a pleasant purple zone go breakup with simply over two minutes to play. Almost got here up with a formidable interception shortly after, with an ideal undercut of the route, however was unable to get his second foot in bounds. 72.8 tackling, 62.0 run protection.

Good (70-Plus Grades):

Six right here.

S DeShon Elliott (79.5, 76) stuffed the stat sheet in his return from damage. 83.9 run protection grade, 81.6 tackling, and 79.4 go rush had been all second on the staff. 66.4 protection. A third-and-8 interception off a batted ball, inflicting a couple of different incompletions with plus protection/hits. Significantly developing massive within the second half, together with a 4th-and-17 go breakup with 14 seconds left. 5 mixed tackles, one cease, and a sack/FF. Nice to have you ever again.

Rookie EDGE Jack Sawyer (76.5, 13) was given good grades in go rush (79.1) and tackling (70.5). Two pressures (hurries) and a bat on ten go rush snaps. One sort out, a ten-yard catch on the two-minute warning. 60.0 protection, 58.5 run protection.

EDGE Nick Herbig (76.0, 66) was strong. 77.2 tackling, with 5 mixed tackles and 4 stops. Cashed in with 1.5 sacks, 4 complete pressures, and three QB hits (T-team highs). One hit led to an intentional grounding within the remaining minute, an enormous 18-yard penalty, and a ten-second roll-off. 67.9 go rush dinged by an offside penalty simply earlier than this. 71.9 protection (5 snaps), permitting two catches for eight yards. 67.3 run protection.

S Chuck Clark (75.6, 31) struggled in protection (58.7), seemingly a think about a few protection busts, specifically an 81-yarder with 3:25 left as MIN inched again. However had the Steelers’ finest 87.1 run protection (by far), and an 80.1 sort out grade. Specifically, for a compelled fumble on a seven-yarder, however the working again touched the ball whereas out of bounds, negating an enormous fumble restoration landing that was deflating.

That participant was CB Jalen Ramsey (75.3, 55), who appeared to maintain a leg damage on the all-for-naught runback that he toughed out and performed by. Good grades total: 79.7 run protection, 77.6 sort out, 72.6 protection. 4 mixed tackles, one run cease. 2-for-2 receiving for 14 yards allowed per PFF, however a TD allowed over his head lower the result in ten. 56.0 go rush (two snaps).

EDGE T.J. Watt (71.9, 69) was big. He led Pittsburgh with seven pressures and 6 hurries, which was his most in a sport this season. Additionally received dwelling for a sack, a sort out for loss, two QB hits, a go breakup, and an interception. 5 mixed tackles, with two stops. 75.9 go rush was his finest grade by far, with the following finest being protection (62.3, one snap). Some run protection points (56.6), with a pair crashing inside and permitting the sting. 54.1 sort out.

Dangerous (Beneath 50 Grades):

NONE. So refreshing.

Particular Groups:

NOTE – Some names don’t seem (much less snaps, common grade).

Wonderful (90-Plus Grades):

NONE.

Nice (80-Plus Grades):

The most effective particular groups grade was Ben Skowronek (88.7, 16). He was superior, offering three mixed tackles. A very wonderful one was as a gunner on punt protection, a textbook rep to make the no-gain sort out. All this regardless of drawing an unlawful block within the again. Performed on 5 groups, and was his finest particular groups sport of 2025.

Good (70-Plus Grades):

Jack Sawyer (75.2, 18) makes one other good record. He’s accomplished so (or higher) in 3-of-4 video games, actually making a reputation as far as a particular teamer. Additionally performed on 5 models and notched a sort out.

Payton Wilson (72.7, 14) is one other core teamer and graded his second-best of the yr. He didn’t make any tackles, however he was seemingly one other constructive for this part. I additionally loved his defensive efficiency greater than PFF total.

Dangerous (Beneath 50 Grades):

4, sadly. Brandin Echols (48.5, 8), Juan Thornhill (30.3, 7), Jalen Ramsey (29.6, 2), with the bottom grade on particular groups and total was Pat Freiermuth (25.8, 6). Ramsey’s important detrimental was an offside penalty (discipline purpose block). Didn’t observe or forgot what provoked Freiermuth’s lowest grade of the week.