Sadly, we’ve a playoff story that’s develop into all too acquainted for the Pittsburgh Steelers. When making it to the playoffs, they arrive out sluggish, unable to dig themselves out of a rut (21 factors) and get bounced by the Buffalo Payments within the Wild Card spherical 31-17. Haven’t gained a playoff sport since 2016, and our personal Alex Kozora dove into some ugly stats of the bizarre as to why.
Offense:
Glorious (90-Plus Grades):
NONE.
Nice (80-Plus Grades):
One of the best grade on offense was G Isaac Seumalo (83.1, 65 snaps). I famous a strong sport total however did have some misplaced reps, significantly in go professional, coinciding along with his grades (82.5 RBLK, 72.6 PBLK). Seumalo allowed two pressures, together with a QB hit (lengthy time-to-throw), and loved a few blocks out in entrance of screens.
Good (70-Plus Grades):
T Dan Moore (77.5, 65) equally had a greater sport as a run blocker, along with his finest 81.4 RBLK of the 2023-2024 season, whereas tying for his finest total grade. 69.4 PBLK, together with a strain/hurry, however good day in comparison with a number of low-lights within the sport and his yr.
The Dangerous (Beneath 50 Grades):
Three gamers right here. T Broderick Jones (36.9, 65) was a unique story, moderately poor within the rookie’s first playoff sport. 5 pressures allowed matched a season-high, 4 of which have been hurries, a QB hit PFF didn’t chart him for, a sack, and likewise allowed a strain on a penalty/no play. Additionally, a down run blocking efficiency (47.4), his worst of the yr, and a lowly 25.0 PBLK, the second worst of Wild Card Weekend.
Rookie TE Darnell Washington (33.0, 23) additionally had a tough day, specifically with two false begin penalties and unable to catch his lone goal on a low go from QB Mason Rudolph that PFF deemed a drop. Famous day as a run blocker, the grades concurring (74.2), but in addition had extra points than standard in PBLK (35.8), his second-worst mark to shut his first yr.
The bottom grade was C Mason Cole (28.7, 65). So, Jones and Cole have been the 2 worst linemen of the weekend. It was an unsightly day for Cole as a go blocker, with a horrendous 8.5 PBLK, together with six pressures and 5 hurries that have been every season highs, a tough QB hit resulting in a 3rd and 7 fail, and likewise some poor snapping as soon as once more. No sacks have been allowed, however the grade was warranted.
Protection:
Glorious (90-Plus Grades):
NONE.
Nice (80-Plus Grades):
The best grade on protection was rookie DL Keeanu Benton (80.2, 33). He was the perfect Steelers rookie, beginning with 5 mixed tackles. Made some strong stops within the run sport, three of three yards or much less, however struggled to shed and bought washed on a number of events, too (66.1 RDEF). He was given a stellar 88.5 PRSH, his third better of 2023-2024, with two hurries, together with a “wow” one with brute drive sending the lineman to the turf. Excited for his future.
Good (70-Plus Grades):
4 right here. DL Armon Watts (75.0, 13) had one mixed deal with on a two-yard run cease, offered a rush, and likewise famous one other good shed in run protection. The latter, sadly, was unable to wrap up the RB in time and likewise famous a rep the place he struggled to shed the blocker.
S Eric Rowe (73.3, 57) was sadly on mop-up responsibility for a lot of the sport, cleansing up messes from his teammates. Second on the staff with eight mixed tackles (83.3 TACK) with no misses, however simply two have been stops. Additionally offered good TE protection for a go breakup, together with one other that was an interception close to the tip zone that will have been big. Good downhill performs, and hope he sticks round subsequent season.
S Minkah Fitzpatrick (72.9) led the staff in defensive snaps and tackles in his welcomed return, the latter indicative of the poor defensive outings of others. Unbelievable downhill performs, together with an on the spot learn/react and superior run-tackle for a lack of 4. He shot out of a cannon on one other five-yard catch and a few different short-run tackles, with one holding Buffalo to a discipline objective. A uncommon low-light was an enormous one, lacking an open-field deal with that led to the ultimate dagger Buffalo landing.
DL Cameron Heyward (71.9, 55) performed nicely with six mixed tackles (third on the staff). Two have been stops, pursuing a display screen down the road for no acquire, and an instantaneous win consuming up the hole for the two-yard deal with. Additionally offered three pressures, one resulting in an incompletion, however that tied for many on the staff that significantly struggled early to make QB Josh Allen uncomfortable. Hopefully, the regular veteran is again subsequent season.
The Dangerous (Beneath 50 Grades):
Three right here. Tough day for CB Patrick Peterson (48.7, 66). A part of a blown protection for a wide-open landing. He terribly missed a sack. He allowed separation in protection together with the lack to sq./make the open-field deal with, leading to an explosive 34-yard acquire. So, two missed tackles versus 4 solo tackles. All clean-ups and none have been stops, largely going for chunk performs.
LB Myles Jack (48.0, 26). 4 mixed tackles for 2 stops. One of the best was avoiding a blocker to push out a three-yard display screen. Now the ache. He was crushed horrendously in TE protection for a 29-yard landing, dagger first play following an offensive turnover (WR George Pickens fumble). Two same-drive, fourth-quarter penalties have been additionally excruciating: one was a debatable holding the place toes seemingly bought tangled, and an pointless roughness when Allen determined to lastly slide. Jack tried to sluggish up, a major instance of a defender’s egregious drawback.
The bottom grade was LB Mark Robinson (42.0, 23). He had 5 mixed tackles however just one cease, an enormous hit on a four-yard run deal with wanting the sticks. 17 of his snaps got here in run protection, struggling to shed and fill total, and one other deal with coming with the sport nicely uncontrolled. Undecided I might have graded him beneath his counterparts on this tier, although.
Particular Groups:
Glorious (90-Plus Grades):
The best-grade on particular groups and total was Montravius Adams (91.7, two), with an enormous discipline objective block within the second quarter, a attempt that will have prolonged Buffalo’s early result in 24-0 if made.
Nice (80-Plus Grades):
NONE.
Good (70-Plus Grades):
Washington posted his seventh 70-plus particular groups grade as a rookie (73.7, 9), one thing he can hopefully proceed to construct on for yr two whereas he goals to enhance and get extra concerned within the 2024 offense.
The Dangerous (Beneath 50 Grades):
The bottom-graded special-teamer was Moore (44.8, three), who had the dumb, pointless roughness penalty on a fourth-quarter further level. That was a debatable name, but it surely was one of many many gut-wrenching performs within the devastating playoff loss.
Shock:
P Pressley Harvin (54.4, seven). Whereas it’s a nasty grade, it didn’t match the atrocious day. 4 punts, three of 42 yards or much less, the longest there even with a bounce. Lengthy of 51, simply exterior the 20-yard line, together with 30 and 31-yarders, the latter truthful caught proper on the 20. 38.5 YPA, 38.5 NET. Sayonara.
Who have been yours?
STEELERS VS. BILLS WILD CARD ROUND SNAPS:
Snap Leaders Wildcard Spherical: OFF-Rudolph/OL. DEF-Fitzpatrick. ST-Nick Herbig.
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