Taken from the grade book of a teacher pleased to see so many students raise their hands, here is the Pittsburgh Steelers Report Card for the Monday Night Football win over the Giants.
Calvin Austin hauls in a touchdown. Photo Credit: Chaz Palla, Tribune-Review
Quarterback
In his second start, Russell Wilson went 20-28 for 278 yards and a touchdown. Wilson also had two touchdown passes negated by penalty and instant replay. He was also sacked 4 times. But Wilson also put the ball on the ground in what could have been a game-changing play. Grade: B-
Running Backs
This was the Najee Harris we have been waiting for, as he rushed 19 times for 114 yards for his third straight 100 yard game. Jaylen Warren run for 46 yards on 9 carries. Warren and Harris had 2 and 3 carries respectively. Grade: A-
Tight Ends
Pat Freiermuth and 2 catches for 19 yards and Darnell Washington had one for 29. Connor Heyward served as a blocker. Grade: B
Wide Receivers
George Pickens had 4 catches for 74 yards and two touchdowns that were called back, one where he failed to get his feet in bounds. Calvin Austin had as strong game, 3 catches for 54 yards including a touchdown. Scotty Miller was targeted twice. Grade: B
Offensive Line
The offensive line had a mixed night. Its run blocking was exceptional early in the game, although lagged at time. Against a fierce pass rush, the line held its own, as Wilson generally had time to throw although he did suffer 4 sacks. Still, a penalty in the red zone and leakage on third down in the red zone hurt the team. Grade: C-
Defensive Line
Cam Heyward, starting his 202th game for the Steelers turned in a solid night. Keeanu Benton and two tackles and Larry Ogunjobi had 3. Responsibility for the Giants exceptional success rushing the ball doesn’t lie with the defensive line, but it starts there. Grade: C-
Alex Highsmith sacks Daniel Jones. Photo Credit: Chaz Palla, Tribune-Review
Linebackers
T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith were quiet in the first half and then morphed into a two man wrecking crew in the second half, with both men authoring drive-wrecking sacks, with Watt’s stripe-sack-recovered fumble coming just after the Steelers had turned over the ball. However, Patrick Queen, Elandon Roberts and Payton Wilson need to do better in stopping the run. Grade: C
Secondary
Joey Porter Jr. actually led the team in tackles, while DeShon Elliott and Beanie Bishop deflected passes with Bishop bagging the final interception. The Giants were 5-15 on third downs, but Darius Slayton, Malik Nabers and Theo Johnson all had some long catches. Grade: C
Special Teams
Another week and another exceptional outing by Danny Smith’s special teams. Chris Boswell was 4-4 on field goals, the Steelers kick coverage did give up a long return, but punt converage was solid. Corliss Waitman pinned the Giants in deep in their own territory twice. The star of the show was Calvin Austin whose 73 yard punt return electrified the stadium. Grade: A
Coaching
Arthur Smith’s offense took another step forward. His team moved the ball down the field early and he is proving that he can keep the defense off balance by committing to the run and then using that to set up deep passes.
The Steelers still need to do better in the Red Zone, and their inability to kill the clock late in the game is a negative.
- Is Teryl Austin coaching a Super Bowl caliber defense?
Some weeks and for portions of some games the answer seems like a resounding yes. But at other times his defense gives up big plays or can’t seem to make a bread-and-butter stop when needed. The Giants ran effectively against the Steelers, and had things been just a little different, that could have been the difference in the game.
Van Jefferson makes a 4th quarter catch. Photo Credit: Karl Roser, Steelers.com
Mike Tomlin’s decision to throw the challenge flag after he’d already lost a replay was puzzling, although ultimately not costly. That gaffe aside, Tomlin managed to avoid the dreaded “trap game” that has dogged him in the past, and because of it the Steelers are 6-2 and hold the lead in the AFC North. Grade: C
Unsung Hero Award
We understate things when we say that this player has kept a low profile this season. He has. And then some. But against the Giants he stepped up catching the ball 4 of 5 times it was throw to him and the Steelers scored on each of those drives, and for that Van Jefferson wins the Unsung Hero Award for the Steelers win over the Giants on Monday Night Football.
