Apologies for this being so late… Sunday was my annual pilgrimage to Pittsburgh to see the Steelers so my time to crank this out was limited. Anyway, let’s get to my thoughts on the win over the Packers.
Offense
-The running game isn’t perfect but it’s clicking on a lot of levels right now. Splitting the load between Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris is a great way to keep them fairly healthy heading into the late season.
-I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the running game has picked up significantly with Broderick Jones starting the last two weeks at right tackle.
-Right now, Kenny Pickett is what he is. He made some quality throws but he also got lucky too. There were three balls that should have been picked and two of them would have gone for scores. I really believe some of the aggressiveness he had has been coached out of him and that’s not good.
-I do not understand why Connor Heyward has become the ideal checkdown option. I realize Pat Freiermuth is still out but for the love of god let Kenny throw it downfield.
-The Steelers ran the same bootleg play four times and each time the deep option was Allen Robinson II. He just can’t separate and that means more defenders can stay shallow and interrupt the shorter and mid-level routes. In other words, the Packers were using just one guy to cover Robinson.
Defense
-You could see immediately the effect Kwon Alexander’s injury had on the defense. The middle of the field was wide open as Mark Robinson and Elandon Roberts struggled to cover. They are run stoppers. Period. I honestly don’t know how they move forward here. Keanu Neal plays some LB perhaps? Nick Herbig? They need help.
-Keeanu Benton is going to be a Pro Bowler. Maybe not this year but it’s coming. He’s that good.
-The pass rush was extremely disappointing Sunday. Alex Highsmith was largely invisible until a late pressure and T.J. Watt had just the one sack.
-Cam Heyward was on a pitch count. His snaps were down from last week and they even had him off on some key third downs.
-I don’t know why they stick with Levi Wallace. Is James Pierre that much worse? Wallace was beaten on both of Jordan Love’s TD passes.
-Elandon Roberts comes downhill as well as anyone. And he brings violence with him.
Special Teams
-I think Danny Smith will be shoring up his kick coverage this week. Way too many yards there.
-Another ho-hum week for Chris Boswell. Perfect on all five of his kicks. If it weren’t for Watt, Boswell would be the team MVP.
-Patrick Peterson had a huge play leading to Keanu Neal’s interception but his blocked PAT was the play of the game as it turned out.
Coaching
-Why are fans losing their minds over who was announced during starting lineups? George Pickens wasn’t announced but he started. Jaylen Warren was announced but people are upset that the media and fans weren’t told. Seriously? This is what we are talking about?
-Matt Canada has been better the last couple of weeks but there are too many stretches where the playcalling just stinks. Believe it or not, he should have run the ball even more.
-Much has been mad about Minkah Fitzpatrick’s demonstrative actions before the final play. He claimed Teryl Austin needed to change the call and go with what they ultimately did. To me, it’s heat of the battle type stuff. I’m not sweating it.
Up Next
The Steelers visit Cleveland in a huge AFC North tilt.
