Pittsburgh Steelers Report Card After Win vs. Cleveland Browns
By Matt Shetler
Defensive Line: If it was Brett Keisel‘s final game in a Steelers uniform, he went out making a couple big plays, most notably forcing a fumble on a sack. Cameron Heyward continued his breakout season with a sack, two quarterback hurries and two tackles for a loss. And they were a bit better against the run. A week after getting gashed on the ground by Green Bay, the Steelers allowed only 79 yards on 20 carries. Grade: B+
Dec 29, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker
Lawrence Timmons(94) celebrates his interception as nose tackle
Al Woods(65) congratulates Timmons against the Cleveland Browns during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Pittsburgh Steelers won 20-7. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Linebackers: Rookie Jarvis Jones played his best game of the season, finishing with a team-high nine tackles, including one for a loss. He also had a pass defended and tipped a throw at the line of scrimmage. Lawrence Timmons was also all over the field, finishing with eight tackles, a sack and an interception. Overall it was a pretty good afternoon from the linebacking core. Grade: B+
Secondary: Browns’ Pro Bowl receivers Josh Gordon and tight end Jordan Cameron didn’t really make any impact until they were already down 14-0. Gordon, who torched the Steelers the first time around was limited to seven catches and 82 yards, but had only one reception in the first half. Grade: B+
Special Teams: Shaun Suisham continued his outstanding year, knocking through a pair of field goals and the coverage units didn’t allow any big returns, a week after allowing three to the Packers. They didn’t get much out of the return game, but the only special teams’ mistake on the day was a kickoff out of bounds. Grade: B
Coaching: After a 2-6 start to the season, all of the talk was how Mike Tomlin and both of his coordinators needed replaced. A 6-2 finish should be enough to quiet those talks. There should be some changes in personnel on the field, but the coaching staff deserves some credit for even being in a position to make the playoffs the final week of the season after a dismal 2-6 start. Grade: A