You don’t get model factors within the NFL, and the Pittsburgh Steelers made positive to remind everybody of that Sunday of their 21-14 win over the New England Patriots in Foxboro. The Steelers ended a 16-year drought in New England, profitable the primary recreation up there for the reason that 2008 season.
Pittsburgh’s offense confirmed indicators of life early earlier than getting caught within the mud for big parts of the remainder of the sport. Thankfully, the much-maligned protection stood up in an enormous manner, forcing 5 — rely ’em, 5! — turnovers within the win, protecting factors off the board in large spots.
It wasn’t fairly in anyway, however the Steelers discovered a strategy to win and largely emerged wholesome from the tight battle in a spot they hardly ever have success in.
Let’s get to some grades.
QB — C-
A tough efficiency from Aaron Rodgers, who struggled with accuracy and actually wasn’t moving into many throws all through the sport. However he made one large throw when it mattered most, lofting the ball to Calvin Austin III for the 17-yard game-winning landing on a wonderfully executed back-shoulder throw.
Whereas he accomplished 16-of-23 passes and had two touchdowns, Rodgers threw for simply 139 yards, didn’t have a lot success pushing the ball down the sphere, and threw a brutal interception to open the second half. His landing go to DK Metcalf within the first quarter moved him forward of Brett Favre and into sole possession of fourth place in all-time NFL passing TDs, however that was the one actual noteworthy play from him.
He nonetheless has an excellent arm, however he’s not moving into his throws and doesn’t appear to belief his offensive line, and rightfully so. He was onerous on himself after the win, stating he didn’t have a very good recreation, and he didn’t. However he made an enormous throw when it mattered most, and the Steelers must construct off that.
RB — B
After splitting backfield time within the first two weeks with Kenneth Gainwell, the Steelers lastly leaned on Jaylen Warren to be their bell cow. The ultimate quantity aren’t all that spectacular — 47 speeding yards on 18 carries — however he was good on the primary drive of the sport and actually helped the Steelers put collectively a game-winning landing drive.
He’s a tough runner, one who assaults downhill shortly, bursting by way of gaps and making life onerous on defenders. He doesn’t go down on first contact, both. Warren additionally added 34 receiving yards on 5 receptions and had an enormous catch and run on a display screen go on the game-winning drive.
Gainwell had simply 5 touches within the recreation, however he did rating a landing on a 1-yard toss, working by way of a pair of tacklers to get into the top zone. On these 5 touches he had 26 yards. That’s a greater day of manufacturing, and round 5 touches a recreation is ideal for him.
WR — C+
The Steelers simply aren’t using DK Metcalf all that effectively. It’s numerous quick-game stuff, and he’s not difficult defenses down the sphere. Although he made an excellent catch on a Rodgers 12-yard landing go to offer the Steelers an early 14-0 lead and had a pleasant 15-yard catch and run on the opening drive of the sport, the Steelers want extra from Metcalf.
He’s saying all the appropriate issues proper now, however the Steelers need to make the most of him down the sphere extra. After they did take a shot to him deep, he drew a go interference penalty, which is encouraging.
Calvin Austin III main the Steelers in receiving with three catches for 34 yards, and the 17-yard landing was a factor of magnificence. He ran a pleasant route and made an excellent adjustment to haul within the landing go. He and Rodgers have some sturdy chemistry going, which may be very encouraging.
There must be extra right here apart from these two. That was the regarding factor all offseason, and two weeks in a row it’s been all Metcalf or Austin.
TE — C
Outdoors of Jonnu Smith’s 21-yard catch in the midst of the sphere, the tight ends didn’t do a lot of something within the win over the Patriots. Smith completed with three receptions for 23 yards and had a fumble that just about price the Steelers.
Pat Freiermuth had only one catch for six yards and felt the wrath of Rodgers within the first half after he failed to sit down in a zone on a scramble drill and took himself out of place.
Darnell Washington made a pleasant influence as an in-line blocker and drew a key go interference penalty in the long run zone to arrange Gainwell’s 1-yard landing. However the tight ends must make extra of an influence, sort of like Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper did on the opposite aspect for the Patriots.
OL — C-
The offensive line had flashes of sturdy play, particularly early within the recreation. They bought after the Patriots’ defensive entrance, and guys like Isaac Seumalo, Zach Frazier and Mason McCormick had been transferring our bodies within the run recreation.
However then all of it disappeared for lengthy stretches. The go safety faltered, too. Rodgers wasn’t sacked on the day (although one with a fumble was negated by a penalty), however he was hit three different instances and needed to eliminate the ball shortly because of constant strain.
Even within the run recreation the Steelers’ offensive line struggled to get hats on guys, particularly within the second and third quarters, leaving guys free to clog lanes and get to the working backs. Thankfully, it circled on the ultimate drive and helped the Steelers execute and choose up the win.
It must be so a lot better although. They’re rising and jelling. Persistence is required, even when it’s irritating to look at.
DL — B+
Heck of a day for Cameron Heyward. He continues to play some superb soccer early within the season, and he took it up a notch on Sunday in Foxboro. Heyward completed with six tackles, one sack, one pressured fumble and a tipped go that led to an interception in the long run zone.
He was a pressure all day and took benefit of favorable matchups on the left aspect of the Patriots’ OL in opposition to a pair of rookies.
Talking of rookies, Derrick Harmon had a pleasant debut, taking part in 35 snaps within the win. He recorded his first NFL sack, performed the run effectively and generated loads of strain. I can’t wait to take a look at his efficiency on the All-22 early within the week.
Keeanu Benton continues to battle, recording only one deal with in opposition to the Patriots. He had a foul offsides penalty, too and actually wasn’t all that impactful in opposition to the run, getting pushed round at instances. I believed Yahya Black had a pleasant bounce again after some struggles in opposition to the Seahawks, ending with two tackles, and I used to be even happy with a number of the snaps that DeMarvin Leal offered up entrance.
I didn’t discover Daniel Ekuale a lot, however the Steelers held Patriots working backs to 74 speeding yards on 22 carries. That’s encouraging.
LB — A-
No Alex Highsmith, no downside. Nick Herbig had a monster day, producing 4 quarterback hits, forcing a Drake Maye fumble, and persistently producing strain on the afternoon. He had a sack of his personal, too, and was excellent proper from the beginning.
T.J. Watt had two sacks within the win and compelled a fumble. When he was given alternatives to get after the quarterback he made performs time and time once more, wrecking the appropriate aspect of the Patriots’ offensive line. It was nice to see Watt get again to his dominant methods.
Inside, I nonetheless have some issues. Patrick Queen was actually good working downhill and continues to be an impactful blitzer, however he’s nonetheless struggling in protection and defensive communication stays a large number. That’s on him. Payton Wilson didn’t begin the sport and although he had a fumble restoration in the long run zone, he had some miscommunications, too. Nonetheless, he completed with seven tackles.
Cole Holcomb bought the beginning and compelled a fumble early within the recreation, which was nice to see in his return to the beginning lineup. He completed with six tackles and gave the Steelers an actual increase as a run defender.
DB — B
This week, it was one other new face making a significant influence. Brandin Echols had a powerful recreation, choosing off a go in the long run zone on the finish of the primary half to maintain factors off the board. Later, he clinched the Steelers’ win with a 4th-and-1 deal with, sticking Pop Douglas wanting the sticks and making a exceptional deal with in house.
Echols did have one go interference penalty known as on him, however that appeared extra OPI than something, and it’s puzzling it was known as DPI.
Darius Slay had a fumble restoration and later a key go breakup within the first half, however he was dinged up and slowed all through the sport. The Patriots hardly ever threw at Jalen Ramsey, resulting in him having only one deal with on the day.
At security, Jabrill Peppers had an enormous day in his revenge recreation in opposition to the Patriots, recording six tackles and forcing a fumble. He was everywhere and actually offers the Steelers nice communication and toughness within the secondary. Juan Thornhill added six tackles, too.
Chuck Clark had a extremely robust day. He dropped two would-be interceptions, which is why he’s a defensive again and never a receiver. He performed some sound soccer with six tackles, however he must be tighter in zone protection in the midst of the sphere.
James Pierre bought some run within the secondary when Slay was banged up, and it led to the Patriots attacking him. This workforce must get wholesome within the secondary, and quick.
Particular Groups — A-
Chris Boswell wasn’t known as on all day for a FG try, which was stunning, particularly with the Steelers on the appropriate aspect of midfield at one level within the second half. He did join on all three further factors.
Punter Corliss Waitman had a extremely sturdy day. He averaged 42.3 yards on 4 punts, downing three of them contained in the Patriots’ 20-yard line, together with one on the 6.
Kenneth Gainwell had a 27-yard kickoff return, giving the Steelers optimistic area place, whereas protection items had been sturdy. Encouraging bounce again from Danny Smith’s items, even with an Echols holding penalty on the Patriots’ lone punt.
