The Pittsburgh Steelers moved to 10-3 on the season with a 27-14 win over the Cleveland Browns. The Steelers struggled offensively in the first half without George Pickens in the lineup but they still managed to put up 27 points. Here are my early observations on the game.
Offense
-Second drive started at the CLE 36 and coming away with just three there is disappointing.
-Arthur Smith having a brutal day so far. Swing pass to Cordarrelle Patterson? Trying to go east and west rather than north and south? Just brutal.
-Finally got back to running the ball with Jaylen Warren (9 Car 47 yards, 2 Rec 25 yards) and it led to a field goal.
-I don’t understand this… Najee Harris (16 Carries 53 yards TD) reels off a couple of big runs early then Arthur Smith largely went away from him for the next two quarters. Makes little sense to me.
-Best play call of the day. Russell Wilson (15/26 158 2TD) fakes inside to Jaylen Warren, rolls right and finds Van Jefferson (1 Rec 10 yards TD). Well executed.
-Smith follows it up with a beauty. Wilson looks right and moved the safety before zinging a dart to Pat Freiermuth (3 Rec 48 yards TD) for the TD.
-What a catch by Scotty Miller (3 Rec 38 yards) on the sideline. Great concentration.
-Cordarrelle Patterson you cannot fumble the ball with under five minutes to go. Just can’t.
-Wilson had six carries for 17 yards. Not impressive numbers but several of his runs picked up first downs and key yards at big moments.
Defense
-Steelers struggling to keep QBs in the pocket. Winston makes them pay early.
-What a great play by Keannu Benton to read the screen and then intercept the pass.
-Jameis Winston making too many plays outside the pocket.
-Fourth and inches and the Browns run wide. Tremendous play by Elandon Roberts (3 TKL 1 TFL) shooting the gap!
-Terrific pick by James Pierre right after the Patterson fumble. He was in the game for Donte Jackson who was banged up.
-Cam Heyward with two sacks today gives him eight for the season. Not bad for a guy that was washed up.
-DeShon Elliott (13 tackles) ultimately gave up a TD to David Njoku but he played a a terrific game. Such a good, fundamental tackler.
Special Teams
-Chris Boswell’s second FG was 54 yards INTO the wind. He finished perfect on the with two field goals and three PATs.
-Dustin Hopkins has missed left and missed right so far today.
-Kickoff team owes the D. They surrendered a huge return to start the third. The D held and CLE missed a FG.
-Kadarius Toney flips ball at Ben Skowronek and gets 15 yard penalty. Then he fumbles a punt and guess who recovers it? Skowronek.
Coaching
-Really questionable call by Kevin Stefanski on the fourth and inches at midfield. Why run to the sideline?
Officiating
-Awful intentional grounding call. And when is “replay assist” used for penalties like that?? There’s no way an official could know the QBs intent on that throw.
Up Next: The Steelers play Sunday in Philadelphia where they haven’t won since the LBJ administration.
