With a chance to claim the AFC North and a playoff spot in Week 17, the Pittsburgh Steelers lost instead in ugly fashion (particularly on offense) to the struggling Cleveland Browns 13-6.
In this article, I will provide data from Pro Football Focus (PFF) and takeaways.
Offense:
Excellent (90-Plus Grades):
NONE.
Great (80-Plus Grades):
NONE.
Good (70-Plus Grades):
The best grade on offense was G Mason McCormick (73.9 grade, 66 snaps). His best individual grade was a 76.9 pass block, with no pressures or sacks allowed. 69.1 run block – which is obviously not a great mark, but led the team in a very stale overall showing on offense.
Bad (Below 50 Grades):
Two wide receivers here.
Adam Thielen (48.9, 57) caught 2-of-4 targets for 14 yards. One was an 11-yard grab, and his three-yard catch was with 32 seconds left in the game. One miscue was a third-down incompletion in the second quarter. 0-for-1 on contested catches, and no first downs. 49.3 receiving grade, 55.1 run block.
The worst grade on offense was Marquez Valdes-Scantling (47.7, 54). He finished 3-of-9 receiving for 21 yards, with all three catches going for 7 yards. Several 50-50 balls, on crucial downs, and the last three plays. The latter was frustrating, instead of QB Aaron Rodgers taking higher percentage throws with the game on the line. PFF didn’t charge Valdes-Scantling for a drop, though an early incompletion seemed worthy. Also dinged for offensive pass interference, negating an explosive gain, which was a questionable call. 48.7 receiving, 50.6 run block.
Defense:
Excellent (90-Plus Grades):
NONE.
Great (80-Plus Grades):
Two players.
The best grade on defense and overall was S Chuck Clark (82.4, 30). Five total tackles tied for second-most on the team, and three stops tied for the best mark. 85.2 tackling also led the team. 80.9 run defense, including a third-down stop on the first defensive drive. 71.2 coverage, allowing 3-for-3 receiving for 48 yards. One was an extremely poor rep, giving up a double explosive 42-yarder in the first quarter.
EDGE Alex Highsmith (80.4, 48) had a nice game, highlighted by two sacks and four QB hits—the only player on Pittsburgh’s defense with stats in those categories. Four total pressures also led the team. One pressure led to an interception by EDGE Jack Sawyer. Three total tackles, all stops. 77.8 run defense, 75.6 coverage (led team), 74.2 tackling, 63.8 pass rush.
Good (70-Plus Grades):
Three men.
CB Joey Porter Jr. (73.7, 52). Four total tackles, with three stops. 2-for-2 receiving allowed for 11 yards, and a long of ten. The best individual grade was coverage (74.1). 67.5 run defense. 58.7 pass rush on one opportunity was too low, considering it was a third-down blitz that resulted in a fourth-quarter stop. 46.4 tackling, dinged heavily for a missed tackle.
LB Payton Wilson (71.1, 23) had five total tackles, with three stops. Solid 80.2 tackle grade. 69.5 run defense, where he provided two of his stops. 1-for-1 receiving allowed, on a six-yard catch. Third down conversion allowed in the third quarter, though. 65.9 coverage. No pass rush opportunities.
DL Logan Lee (70.3, 3) got a few snaps, all pass rush situations. 69.0 pass rush grade, including a pressure (hurry). Also showed hustle on Sawyer’s interception, getting downfield to block for his teammate. Also had the only batted pass (at the line of scrimmage) for the Steelers defense.
Bad (Below 50 Grades):
Two here.
DL Yahya Black (47.0, 14). Two total tackles, with one run stop, for his best 68.4 tackling grade. 54.1 pass rush, with no pressures on seven pass snaps. 51.3 run defense, also on seven snaps. Individual grades exceeded his 47.0 overall grade, which is a confusing part of PFF’s grading, in my opinion.
The worst defensive grade and overall was DL Keeanu Benton (37.2, 34). Three total tackles, with one run stop. Was severely dinged in that aspect of play, though, with a team-worst 29.8 grade. One rep I noted was very poor, allowing a third-down conversion in the first quarter. 70.8 tackling. 68.8 pass rush, with a pressure (hurry) on 17 pass rushes.
Special Teams:
NOTE – Some names don’t appear (less snaps, average grade).
Excellent (90-Plus Grades):
NONE.
Great (80-Plus Grades):
NONE.
Good (70-Plus Grades):
NONE.
Bad (Below 50 Grades):
NONE.
So in PFF’s opinion, Pittsburgh’s special teams were middling across the board.
Steelers Week 17/Regular Season Snaps:
Week 17 Snap Leaders/Season Total Snaps Leader:
OFF – Dylan Cook, Troy Fautanu, Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick, Aaron Rodgers
DEF – Kyle Dugger, Joey Porter Jr., Patrick Queen
ST – Payton Wilson
SEA TOT – Jalen Ramsey