Steelers Vs. Lions Preseason Game 3: PFF Grades And Total Snaps

The Pittsburgh Steelers finale is now within the books, going winless within the preseason, falling brief in opposition to the Detroit Lions 24-17. Largely inspired, although, with the beginning offense and protection displaying good issues. Received up 14-0 early, and the injury was completed in opposition to backups.

On this article, I’ll present knowledge from Professional Soccer Focus (PFF) and takeaways from watching the movie.

Offense:

Wonderful (90-Plus Grades):

Two WRs right here. Jaray Jenkins (94.2 grade, 8 snaps) topped the offensive grades. He caught certainly one of his two targets, a pleasant intermediate publish route over the center. That’s an space of the sphere that was refreshing to see utilized greater than the remainder of the preseason and for fairly a while, to be frank. The incompletion was a detailed name, barely unable to get his second foot down on a Third-and-7 go-ball.

George Pickens (91.3, 5) ran a pleasant post-corner route early, getting wide-open on Third-and-11, 32-yard explosive play that included YAC. The latter was practically true on his different goal, catching a display on the primary move of the sport and nearly forcing a missed deal with, however Pickens’ arm touched down for a lack of six. Can’t wait to see his abilities on show this season.

Nice (80-Plus Grades):

One participant right here, one other WR in Dez Fitzpatrick (83.0, 20). He caught each his targets, that includes the longest of 4 explosive performs on offense. Practically a triple-explosive at 59 yards, a pleasant go-ball catch from QB Kyle Allen regardless of DPI, and superior YAC in addition on a Third-and-8. Fitzpatrick graded strong all preseason on offense, a welcomed sight in the direction of the tip of the depth chart battle on the place.

Good (70-Plus Grades):

A whopping eight right here, a refreshingly optimistic pattern after offensive struggles.

QB John Rhys Plumlee (79.9, 9) had performed strictly particular groups so far, lastly getting a chance at quarterback, with all 4 displaying good issues in their very own proper. Prime grade on the place, exceeding his prior circumstances. He confirmed zip on his throws, and athletic means on the transfer and RPO sport. The latter included one dangerous determination, holding when it wasn’t there on Third-and-3, bailing too late on the incompletion.

QB Russell Wilson (77.6, 5) solely wanted two passes for Pittsburgh’s liking, with a pleasant connection to Pickens on the aforementioned explosive 32-yard post-corner route. Very reassuring to lastly see that connection. Wilson went 2/2 for 26 yards, no TDs, INTs, or sacks, and a 118.8 score. Most significantly, a gap drive rating that’s been seldom in Pittsburgh.

Rookie C Zach Frazier (76.4, 20) continued his robust preseason, together with no pressures or sacks allowed in all three video games. A 78.8 PBLK and 75.4 RBLK on this one, strong marks and play that’s nice to see with the dearth of depth behind him.

WR Quez Watkins (75.8, 19) caught his lone goal for ten yards, a slant late within the sport from Plumlee, and confirmed the need to as a blocker that’s required in OC Arthur Smith’s offense. With particular groups struggles this preseason and guys like Fitzpatrick faring higher, his days could also be numbered, although.

RB Aaron Shampklin (73.7, 16) had seven rushes for simply 13 yards and wasn’t focused within the passing sport. Powerful operating and FMTs have been on full show, an vital context the tough baseline stats lack context on.

WR Van Jefferson (73.7, 16) made two catches on as many targets for 18 yards. Each got here from QB Justin Fields, most notable was hanging on regardless of a giant hit from the defender, displaying reliability that’s reassuring. Pittsburgh should add to the WR room, however preferred what Jefferson confirmed within the preseason total.

QB Kyle Allen (73.4, 17) performed essentially the most on the place, but additionally had a low quantity of 5 passes. The Fitzpatrick explosive was the spotlight, unleashing an ideal go-ball for the wonderful connection. He was the distributor on the shut one to Jenkins as effectively, displaying the flexibility that’s way more mentioned with Wilson and Fields. I famous some brief space accuracy points although, however a stronger than I anticipated preseason.

T Dan Moore (70.1, 15) was strong IMO, with PFF grades crediting his move professional extra (80.3 PBLK, 67.3 RBLK). The vital caveat is Detroit performed principally backups. Nonetheless, music to our ears in comparison with final season. Hopefully that may carry over to the common season, particularly contemplating the statuses of Troy Fautanu (harm) and Broderick Jones (accidents, play seemingly effected).

The Dangerous (Under 50 Grades):

5 right here. G Joey Fisher (46.7, 26) notably derailed late within the sport, with back-to-back fourth down penalties (Unlawful man downfield, false begin). That screams of getting in Mike Tomlin’s doghouse. Additionally famous run block points, pushed again resulting in a four-yard loss, and failing to attach on a pull.

TE Matt Sokol (46.6, 11) wasn’t focused and lacked affect as a blocker total, together with being on the bottom in my notes. G Anderson Hardy (44.8, 15) had a optimistic RBLK in my notes (56.5 grade) however totally struggled within the move sport. His 7.4 PBLK grade was dead-last positionally in Week Three throughout the league, together with a QB hit allowed.

G Spencer Anderson (42.0, 14) has seen higher days, particularly a sack allowed when he was manhandled from RT alignment. His 12.5 PBLK grade was third-worst of the week, and whereas he has versatility, can be higher suited to assist at middle than deal with IMO.

G Isaac Seumalo (40.7, 12) was decrease within the grades than anticipated. He was a part of a key combo block with Frazier that sprung the 31-yard explosive TD run by RB Cordarrelle Patterson and one other on the goal-line rating from RB La’Michal Perine. He was crushed badly on one run block, however a 41.9 RBLK grade appeared felony.

One other lineman that was penalized, T Tyler Seaside (35.9, 12), a false begin. That was on particular groups, although, with PFF seemingly penalizing his offensive grade for it, too. I famous one plus run block however lacked affect in any other case and seemed misplaced on one specific rep in my notes (blocked nobody).

Protection:

Wonderful (90-Plus Grades):

A no brainer atop the defensive grades: EDGE Nick Herbig (97.0, 9). Made noise on minimal snaps, with three pressures, two sacks, and a FF. One strain was up the center off inside alignment, intriguing to think about with T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith additionally on the sphere. One sack was an inside spin after being doubled and received off the sting on third and eternally on the opposite, a strip sack. Some good run protection, too, together with an edge set and three-yard deal with. Highest graded EDGE this week, and preseason. Wow.

Nice (80-Plus Grades):

Three right here. DL Keeanu Benton (89.9, 6) had a mixed sack, displaying a pleasant counter with robust palms to get residence on his move rush, which seemed spectacular within the finale as a springboard to his second season. He practically made the wonderful tier together with his former Wisconsin teammate, too; maintain them coming.

DL Larry Ogunjobi (84.6, 6) graded effectively as a move rusher (81.3), together with a rush in little or no taking part in time. CB Kyler McMichael (82.2, 22) supplied a pleasant deep-ball move breakup, teetering on being there early, fortunately not a DPI. PFF credited him for a team-high 83.7 protection grade on that lone goal. One assisted deal with, late sport on a 14-yard catch.

Good (70-Plus Grades):

Two gamers. CB Cory Trice (78.9, 19) was a power as a tackler, beginning with a lack of three run-tackle, and was throughout a display for only one yard. Good grades throughout the board. However he was sadly on the post-game harm report (groin) that may hopefully be swift in comparison with his final, which ripped Trice’s rookie season away (knocks on wooden).

DL Dean Lowry (76.2, 31) supplied a FR (Herbig strip-sack), a rush, a bat, and good push on different move reps. PFF gave him props, with an 84.0 PRSH grade. He performed most at DE, together with DT. Run protection was one other story (56.2), although I did be aware a very good rep taking over a double crew.

The Dangerous (Under 50 Grades):

Sadly, eight gamers. LB Jacoby Windmon (49.4, 46) had a number of poor run protection reps in my notes, together with missed tackles and all the time capturing like a missile shortly, however runners reducing away from these fast commitments.

CB Donte Jackson (49.2, 9) was additionally responsible of a missed deal with, unable to corral the flat route on the eight-yard achieve. That 23.2 TACK grade was worst amongst Steelers. DL Willington Previlon (47.6, 29) was dinged most on RDEF (45.2). Whereas he had a two-yard run cease, he was poor on a TD run, and was washed late sport in my notes.

LB Marcus Haynes (45.5, 42) seemed misplaced, frankly. Missed tackles, misplaced in protection, missed sack, oh my. One optimistic was a 1st-and-goal run deal with for no achieve. 77.1 RDEF grade appeared too beneficiant in comparison with all others beneath 50, as anticipated.

S Ryan Watts (44.5, 28) supplied a strain off two move rushes and pushed an eight-yard scramble out-of-bounds. It seems like a damaged document, however tackling was the dangerous information for him, too. Charged with one in run protection, and famous poor approach/effort on one other. Most discouraging was an assisted deal with on a 14-yard catch, struggling a stinger that was very scary to look at. Fortunately walked off, however so unlucky within the sport’s waning moments.

DL DeMarvin Leal (38.9, 13) had a half sack and flashed pass-rush enhancements which have been significantly better this preseason. On the flip facet, he missed a possible run deal with for loss, which PFF grades account for closely. Additionally, a really low 40.8 protection grade, which they charted as a two-yard achieve. Didn’t be aware that, however appears unreasonable.

CB Kiondre Thomas (37.3, 40) had 5 mixed tackles. One was a 1st-and-goal no-gain run deal with within the first half and I used to be in on a few four-yard ones in opposition to the run a bit later. The others have been off catches, big-gainers of 16 and 21 yards late within the sport. On prime of that, two missed tackles.

LB Kyahva Tezino (26.0, 14) had three tackles, together with an assisted one-yard run cease. Inexperience reared its head on one other, penalized for a horse collar as they have been going out-of-bounds on a 29-yard catch allowed. Egregiously, although, a 77.0 tackling grade was his greatest particular person mark.

Particular Groups:

Wonderful (90-Plus Grades):

NONE.

Nice (80-Plus Grades):

NONE.

Good (70-Plus Grades):

Only one, Ryan Watts (72.6, 15), who performed on 4 items. He confirmed good effort to push a 24-yard kick return out-of-bounds, however I famous him as certainly one of a number of blocked out on the massive 37-yard kick return.

The Dangerous (Under 50 Grades):

5 right here. Scotty Miller (46.3, 3) performed punt protection crew solely, noting a poor deal with angle. Darius Rush (43.4, 11) was offsides on the sphere purpose crew, missed a deal with alternative in punt protection, and didn’t land a block as a first-team gunner in my notes. Three-teamer on this sport.

Seaside (40.2, 3) makes the undesirable listing once more. He was on discipline purpose crew solely, with a false begin on an extra-point try.

Thomas Graham (31.5, 9) was a two-teamer, kick-return and kick-coverage. No tackles or misses per PFF, however was pancaked on protection crew, and was unable to dam shed on one other massive return late sport. I used to be additionally decrease on his day on protection than PFF, which isn’t superb for the potential slot nook.

Luquay Washington (30.0, 18) performed on 5 items, and lands because the worst grade with a holding penalty on the kick return crew, with no tackles or misses.