Painfully, we have to discuss a 13-10 divisional loss to Cleveland, with Pittsburgh now 6-4 on the season. The defense kept the Browns on the scoreboard, but the offense did very little, especially in the passing game. Barely surpassing 100 passing yards, several miscommunications, 3-of-14 on third downs and no explosive passing plays were a few key factors in this ugly loss.
Offense:
Excellent (scores of 90 and above):
The best offensive and overall rating was that of RB Jaylen Warren (93.2, 26 snaps), and deservedly so. He was one of the few bright spots on offense with 129 rushing yards, highlighted by a 74-yard touchdown run and a 21-yarder, the only explosive plays of the game. Second straight game over 100, on just nine attempts, and added 16 receiving yards, catching all three targets. Pittsburgh moved away from him, confusedly, after his success. It is unacceptable to not build on one of the few things that went well that coaches need to do moving forward.
Excellent (scores of 80 and above):
NONE.
Good (scores of 70 and above):
After a big drop, three players find themselves in this level. G James Daniels (72.4, 58) had a solid game overall, especially as a pass blocker. His excellent 88.8 PBLK was highlighted by blocks in space in the screen game, with no pressures or sacks, but had an ineligible man penalty downfield (another screen). Some good run blocking as well, although he lost a rep that led to RB Najee Harris getting hit in the backfield. He was the best o-lineman in the game.
Harris (71.7, 33) had 35 yards on 12 attempts (2.9 YPA). He had six forced missed tackles, matching his backfield teammate in Warren, but led to just one first down. Harris had a long run of 17, but it came on third-and-22, accounting for virtually half of his rushing yards. A catch on his only target from one yard, and had an excellent reputation as a professional pass-catcher contributing to his highest rating of the game (84.3 PBLK).
C Mason Cole (70.3, 58) has a 70-plus rating for the first time in 2023 and is playing better lately after serious struggles (below 50 in four games). He provided a strong presence as a run blocker (74.5 RBLK), highlighted by a key block in space on Warren’s touchdown run, and had good moments in professional passing that also included the play screen. He allowed two pressures, but this is a positive and encouraging trend that will hopefully continue.
The bad (less than 50 ratings):
Surprisingly, just two players, starting with TE Darnell Washington (40.9, 27). His lowest individual rating was unfortunately a run block (35.2). This is not what you want to see given that this is his main role. The most egregious was being easily put on his back during a tackle for loss, and also noted a loss of reputation in professional passing. He caught his only target for eight yards, with a good effort from YAC, but was stopped on third-and-11.
The lowest grade on offense was LT Dan Moore, as expected (36.0, 58). The struggles continued against key passers such as Myles Garrett. PFF gave him a PBLK grade of 18.8, the worst grade of the weekend, and had an even more atrocious 3.5 grade against Garrett in Week 2. In Game 1, Moore allowed six pressures, four hits, two QB hits and no sacks, compared to four pressures, one hit, one QB hit and two sacks in Week 11. One sack is occurred during the first offensive play of the match. close to safety, and his 50.3 RBLK was the second-worst of 2023, with his 30.0 also against Cleveland in Week 2. Ouch.
Defense:
Excellent (scores of 90 and above):
NONE.
Excellent (scores of 80 and above):
The highest mark on defense was Cameron Heyward (81.3, 46). He was excellent in run defense (81.0), third best among IDLs throughout the weekend which included three of his four stops on five tackles. One was a one-yard tackle on third-and-4, a tackle for a loss of two yards and a big scramble play to pursue a 16-yard run for the tackle. He also provided a QB rush, but was much quieter as a passer (57.9).
Good (scores of 70 and above):
A whopping nine players here. DL Armon Watts (78.0, 27) had a solid performance, with three tackles including a two-yard running tackle in the red zone and an excellent pass rush to stop another for no gain. He had a nice late pass to rush, but noticed it on the ground on another.
CB Chandon Sullivan (77.0, 27) had the game’s only turnover on an interception late in the third quarter on third-and-15, and also had a nice pass breakup. He allowed two catches on four targets for 14 yards, for a mark of 18.8, his best mark of 2023.
DL Isaiahh Loudermilk (76.8, 18) had a strong second performance, making encouraging strides in run defense (77.6). He only had one tackle, an encouraging run stop for no gain, but filled the lanes very well, including double teams, one for no gain and another for a loss of four in my ratings.
EDGE Alex Highsmith (76.4, 66) was quiet by his standards, with just one pressure on a third down QB hit, but also took a roughing the passer penalty on another third down. He had six tackles and three stops, including two against the run.
DL Keeanu Benton (74.8, 39) was once again a solid run defender, where two of his three stops came on four combined tackles, notably working well in traffic. He also showed it on a third and ten RB catch, providing a wow play for the stop. No pressure though, and I was struck by the curious defensive late game penalty that was scratching my head.
S Miles Killebrew (74.4, 16) provided good coverage (42.4 block rating), allowing a catch on three targets and making a solid tackle on the RB’s open dump for just five yards. S Elijah Riley (72.9) suffered an ankle injury, leaving after just nine snaps. He was active in that time with three total tackles (76.7 TACK), one for a stop on a red zone run. Fortunately, the backups have stepped up a lot.
Speaking of which, LB Elandon Roberts (71.1, 75) did it admirably. He led the team with 15 total tackles, including two TFLs on RB screens, showcasing his impressive downhill abilities. These highlighted his impressive nine saves in the game, including seven in the passing game. Roberts had an 86.0 TACK grade and 83.3 COV, the latter of which was encouraging to see after the loss of Cole Holcomb. PFF gave him a modest 44.3 RDEF though, unfair considering a third-and-four one-yard tackle, two short-yardage tackles, another two yards downhill, but noted a run successful in the authorized red zone and a bad angle. /representative.
EDGE Nick Herbig (70.7) barely played again, with just three snaps. Two came against the run, with one finishing well for a combination tackle. He missed a tackle on a screen behind the line, making a four-yard gain, which surprisingly didn’t affect his rating as much as expected.
The bad (less than 50 ratings):
The lowest rating on defense and the only player below 50 was DL DeMarvin Leal (28.2, five). 36.8 RDEF rating, including a representative on which he was well sealed, without any pressure as a passer (59.7).
Special teams:
Excellent (scores of 90 and above):
NONE.
Excellent (scores of 80 and above):
NONE.
Good (scores of 70 and above):
Four players in this level. Highest scoring on special teams was Trenton Thompson (77.9, 13), including one assisted tackle. Nick Herbig (72.7, 23) also pushed a 12-yard punt return out of bounds, with Rodney Williams (70.9, 16) tackling a 17-yard return, and Mark Robinson combined an encouraging tackle on a four-yard return. back. Surprisingly, no defensive snaps for him.
The bad (less than 50 ratings):
Three players here. LS Christian Kuntz (49.2, 11), Roberts (48.4, 13), including one missed tackle, and the lowest special teams mark was TJ Watt (29.6, four). He was criticized for a disallowed offside call on Cleveland’s heartbreaking game-winning field goal. He also had his lowest DEF rating of 69.4 in 2023, providing Pittsburgh’s only sack in a stale team performance. Let’s hope to return to dominance as soon as possible.
Surprises:
- Quarterback Kenny Pickett (52.5, 58). 106 passing yards, wow. This terrible effort was the fourth straight game with 160 yards or fewer, one of the many painful truths that our own Alex Kozora has highlighted more deeply in his bizarre statistics. 15/28 for an abysmal 53.6 completion rate that included accuracy and communication issues, three straight final pass failures, no touchdowns, three sacks and throws, although he maintained his streak without an interception . I didn’t think it could get any harder to watch, but boy was I wrong.
- Roberts’ DEF rating of 71.1.
- READY rating 63.8 from Calvin Austin III. Three returns, each over 14 yards, a long of 21 and the second best 17.0 YPA throughout the weekend.
Who was yours?
STEEL MAKERS AGAINST. BROWNS WEEK 11 SNAPS AND REGULAR SEASON TOTAL SNAPS:
Snap Leaders Week 11: DISABLED-Pickett/OL. DEF-Kazee/Roberts. ST-Nick Herbig/Boykin/Robinson/Pierre/Killebrew.
Season: TOTAL-Peterson. DISABLED-Seumalu/Cole. DEF-Peterson. ST-Nick Herbig.
Thanks for reading and let me know your thoughts in the comments.
Gn En sports