HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. -- Welcome to my new written feature at DK Pittsburgh Sports!
After each game the Steelers play, I'll grade their performance, overall and by positional groups, and here I go with the 17-14 loss to the Patriots in Sunday's home opener:
OVERALL TEAM (D)
Everything is bad and highlighted when you lose. Offensively, I will say it’s not enough. The short dump offs to Najee Harris, the lack of down field passes is lightly frustrating. From what I’ve seen, the wide receivers can catch and look like they want a down-the-field approach to games. The run game is more effective with tight inside zone plays. Watching the Steelers defense, it’s clear the lack of T.J. Watt is noticeable. The defense logged no sacks and only one tackle for loss at home with a crowd that was effective with giving the Patriots delay of games and false starts to their offense.
QUARTERBACK (F)
Come on, Mitch! We can’t be rhythm-throwing the ball and having early interceptions. It was unnecessary. Let the play develop before automatically throwing to the first option. Get rid of the ball before taking bad sacks, the level of awareness has to go up. A good bit of Mitch Trubisky’s passes seem to float in the air and I’m not sure if it’s a good or bad thing. Sometimes it works, others it doesn’t and I have a problem with that. I will admit, I tweeted that we might see Kenny Pickett during the game. Didn’t think I’d be here so soon.
RUNNING BACK (D)
Jaylen Warren is a good addition to the RB room. And no, Jaylen isn’t better than Najee. Everyone loves the new flavor. Both are solid! But, the run game is stagnant and there’s blame on this group too. Lanes have been there and the offensive line and running backs have simply not been on the same page.
WIDE RECEIVER (B+)
Diontae Johnson is proving to be a good No. 1. There’s so much more left for this group when it come down to plays. I’m not sure if it’s a lack of faith in Mitch or the coaching staff isn’t seeing enough in practice to go to them more often.
TIGHT END (C)
Pat is Pat, it’s good to see that next guy come along. With the transition of a new QB, this security blanket is necessary. Hate that Pat missed the late pass down the stretch as it hit him in the face, but a body dragging him down and a hand in his is one way to drop it.
OFFENSIVE LINE (C-)
Gotta get their assignments down. Too much leakage on run plays too often. With that being said, zone running seems to be the style of play that will work best for this group. Getting first downs on third and short is always welcomed. As a whole, not enough control on the game. Only one sack actually given to that group, the other two go to Mitch.
DEFENSIVE FRONT (C-)
Gotta shut down the early down runs throughout games. Good seeing young guys get active too like DeMarvin Leal, but not enough impact from both units. The run game wasn’t atrocious, it just couldn’t stop the Patriots in situational moments as they were milking the clock towards the end of the game.
LINEBACKERS (D)
There isn’t much excitement at this position lately. If the outside linebackers and defensive line are missing tackles up front, there’s no one in the middle of the defense making up for those plays.
SECONDARY (C-)
Rush and coverage works together. And it’s clear the rush was missing. The top stayed on the backend of the defense with the exception of Nelson Agholor. Minkah Fitzpatrick's interception gets outweighed by Ahkello Witherspoon’s missed play on Agholor.
SPECIAL TEAMS (F)
Goes from drinking wine to squashing grapes. Bos is Bos and I’m glad Coach Tomlin worked with his rough patch a few years back. Pressley Harvin's leg is like punting a ball with a robotic leg. But … turnovers are never a good thing when it comes to Gunner Olszewski fielding the ball. That’s one way to lose a job. And never give a team like New England the ball on a short field with blunders like the ball hitting you in the face. One thing New England does is capitalize on special teams mistakes, and they did.
