The Pittsburgh Steelers moved to 2-0 on the season with a 13-6 win over the Broncos in Denver. Here are my observations as the game unfolded.
Offense
-Justin Fields’ (13/20 117 yards TD) athleticism on display early. First and ten and Broncos come with all out blitz. He scrambles for a first down.
-It was a very typical Najee Harris game. 17 carries for 69 yards and a long of 11 yards.
-After just four touches last week, Jaylen Warren (9 carries 42 yards, 2 receptions 19 yards) had three on the second drive. His presence was a huge lift to the offense in the first half. I’m not sure why he wasn’t used more in the second half.
-Beautiful second drive resulting in a TD. Solid mix of run and pass. Darnell Washington with his first career TD. That was a play that we have been screaming for since Washington was drafted.
-Second half performance was abysmal. Credit Denver’s defense but the Steelers couldn’t seem to put anything together with the pass or run. That won’t cut it against better teams.
-Feel awful for George Pickens. He had a huge catch down the sideline taken away by Broderick Jones’ penalty. Then he had a touchdown taken off the board with an offensive interference call.
-Despite a nice effort by Van Jefferson to get into the end zone right before the half, there is still a massive need for a true number two receiver. He and Calvin Austin III combined for three receptions and 20 yards.
-Pat Freiermuth had four receptions for 39 yards. Pretty much the same stat line as last week. He is what he is I guess.
Defense
-Great rush from Alex Highsmith on the second series resulting in a sack. So fast.
-Patrick Queen is literally flying early in this game.
-So cool to see Cory Trice, Jr get his first career INT. It came at a huge time too in the back of the end zone.
-Although he had a bad offsides penalty, DeShon Elliot played his second straight terrific game. He had nine tackles and a ‘Troy Polamalu-style’ tackle for loss too.
-T.J. Watt had another sack and added another tackle for loss. The Broncos did everything they could to limit him after what he did last week.
-Cam Heyward didn’t record a sack but he had three QB pressures including one on the play that Trice came away with an interception.
Special Teams
-Miles Killabrew was literally inches away from a blocked punt on the first series.
-Huge 54-yard punt from Corliss Waitman with just a few seconds left. This guy was literally on the street this time last week.
-Chris Boswell added two more field goals including on from 50 plus. Another day at the office for Bos.
Officiating
-The first half saw two big calls go against the Steelers negating big plays. The hold on Broderick Jones – which was a poor call – took away a huge play to George Pickens. The second, again very questionable, was an illegal pick that took away a Pickens’ TD.
-Overall, the officiating was once again below par with several questionable calls. Nothing new for most NFL games but there were several today that made little sense.
Coaching
-Third and three with about 6 minutes left. It’s 13-3 and you’re trying to run out the clock. And Arthur Smith calls a fade to Calvin Austin III??? It resulted in a personal foul call for a head shot by the defender but I didn’t understand that call at all. Why are you throwing to your smallest receiver in that situation? Furthermore, the ball needed to be on a line with the safety coming hard and it wasn’t.
-I do not understand the in-game rotation between Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu. I firmly believe it is affecting Jones negatively. They should have solidified a position for him and then let him work on his versatility. Instead, they have left him doubting himself now.
Up Next:
The Steelers open the home part of their schedule at 1pmET Sunday as the Los Angeles Chargers come to Pittsburgh.
