What started as a blowout in the making turned into a defensive slugfest as neither team scored in the second half. Pittsburgh spotted Miami a 13-0 lead before finally falling 16-10 despite several opportunities to score. Here are my quick-hitting thoughts.
Offense
-Kenny Pickett (32/44 257 yards 1TD/3INT) had to make better decisions. It’s really that simple. His last two interceptions were forced throws that I think he will learn from.
-The blocking of receivers and tight ends on this team has gone downhill significantly. Watch some tape especially on wide runs and throws and you’ll see what I mean.
-George Pickens (6 Rec 61 yards TD) is one of those guys who no matter how well he’s covered is “never covered.” He’s such an athlete you have to trust he can make every play. He needed to see more balls in the second half.
-Mike Tomlin showed how much faith he has in Jaylen Warren by giving him the ball on a fourth and short. He easily converted.
-Get to the damn line Najee Harris. Why does he constantly run routes short of the first down??
-Harris (17 Car 65 yards) was better running the ball tonight but he still does some questionable things. Leaping into the air when a simple lowered shoulder will get the necessary yardage.
-Tonight’s version of Pat Freiermuth (8 Rec 75 yards) was exactly what most of us envisioned from him.
-What is Matt Canada’s fascination with Zach Gentry (2 Rec 0 yards)? Two ridiculous plays designed for him that went nowhere. He’s turned himself into a fine number two tight end but he shouldn’t be put in these situations.
-Chase Claypool has to understand that his size alone is often going to cause officials to let defenders to be more aggressive with him. Is that fair? No it isn’t but it was obvious this evening that DBs are going to grab him as often as they can and hope it doesn’t get called.
Defense
-Both Levi Wallace and Cam Sutton had interceptions in their hands in the first half. Each drop cost them a field goal. Terrell Edmunds dropped one in the third and Wallace added another drop in the fourth. What a difference those would have made.
-Excellent ‘no-call’ by the official after Minkah Fitzpatrick blew up a Dolphins’ receiver at the goal line.
-All in all, once the Miami opening drive was over, the defense settled in and played pretty well. T.J. Watt remains sorely missed in this lineup however.
-The Steelers are too often giving up the edge right now. Miami got to the outside way too much.
-Great fourth down stop by the defense in the third.
-Tre Norwood continues to be a really important reserve player for this D. He makes big tackles every week.
-The Steelers tackled well tonight which is something you have to do against guys like Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
-I honestly don’t know where this defense would be without Myles Jack. 10 tackles (8 solo) led the team.
-I still think Devin Bush will be elsewhere in 2023 but his effort has not been lacking. He was second tonight in tackles with eight and he added a tackle for loss too.
Special Teams
-Please get healthy Steven Sims. Gunner Olszewski did fine but Sims is such a bigger threat.
-Pressley Harvin III has to find consistency. The Steelers cannot afford his erratic kicking much longer.
-Chris Boswell was 1/1 on fields goals and 1/1 on his PATs.
Coaching
-I’ve been as hard on Matt Canada as anyone but there was a sequence that perfectly summed up something that ISN’T his fault. On third and one and driving to score a game-winning TD, he called for a QB sneak that had Miles Boykin in motion behind him as the ball was snapped. The right side of the line started moving too soon and despite getting the first down, the illegal shift brought it back. The next play saw Pickett scramble and get within a yard of the first down stick but a holding call brought them back into a third and 16. Pickett forced a throw and it was intercepted. Those aren’t the fault of Canada. If you’re going to criticize then you also have to be objective too.
Feature image courtesy post-gazette.com
