Pittsburgh Steelers: Grading The Victory Over The 49ers
By Harv Aronson
With a record of 1-1, the Pittsburgh Steelers offense turned it up a few notches last weekend in their home opener as Pittsburgh blew out the San Francisco 49ers 43-18.
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Obviously, with a superb performance as the Steelers put on, better grades go with it. This week’s report is an easy assessment.
Quarterback: it helps to have at least one superstar receiver. In Ben Roethlisberger‘s case, Antonio Brown was available to give Big Ben 195 yards added to his 364 yard total. No question that Ben Roethlisberger is one of the five best quarterbacks in the NFL. Grade: A+.
Running Backs: The ground game assaulted the scoreboard with gusto as DeAngelo Williams got into the end zone three times against the 49ers. However, he rolled up just 77 yards rushing after putting up 127 yards against the Patriots.Grade: B.
Wide Receivers: Can it get any better than what we saw at Heinz Field last Sunday? Steelers fans hope so. Grade: A++.
Tight End: Heath Miller only had two receptions but they came when they counted most…for points. Besides, Antonio Brown was stealing the show. Grade: A.
Offensive Line: Fantastic job in pass protection and mowing down defenders to create lanes for the running game. Grade: A.
Kicker: If healthy next summer, Shaun Suisham is a shoe-get his job back. Josh Scobee is past his prime. Grade: C-.
Defensive Line: Up front these guys got some pressure on Colin Kaepernick that they were not able to do to Tom Brady. There is still plenty of room for improvement. Grade: B.
Linebacker: The wait continues for Lawrence Timmons to start lighting up offenses. In the meantime, how about Ryan Shazier?
Pittsburgh Steelers
In a word…WOW! Bud Dupree is proving to be worth the decision to make him the first overall draft pick in 2015. Arthur Moats played exceptionally well. Grade: A-.
Safety: Not many Steelers fans are booing Mike Mitchell now. Perhaps he needed a season to adjust but his is improved. Will Allen is showing no signs of aging. Grade: B-.
Cornerback: Brandon Boykin made a big play. Newcomer Ross Cockrell contributed. William Gay played as expected. Grade: B+.
Punter: Now it is known why the Steelers traded Brad Wing and chose Jordan Berry as their punter. Berry’s hang time is incredible and a weapon. Last Sunday he provided three punts, a 47.3 average, one 62-yard boomer, and two kicks landing inside the 20. How did Wing perform in New York. Four punts, 41 average, long of 47, and three inside the 20. Grade: A+.
Coaching: You don’t have to do much coaching when your team wins by 25. Still, Mike Tomlin had his team ready to play. Grade: A.
Intangibles: The Steelers did not want to drop two in a row especially in front of the biggest crowd in Heinz Field history. With a loud crowd, the Steelers stained momentum in the second quarter and never looked back. Grade: A+.
Overall grade: A shutout by the defense or just not allowing a touchdown would have raises this grade higher. But hard to complain about a Grade A-.
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