Top Takeaways From Preseason Game 2
Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
The Pittsburgh Steelers came out of the gates fast in their 27-15 preseason win over the Buffalo Bills on Saturday. The Black and Gold’s offense scored two touchdowns on their first seven snaps, while the defense took advantage of Bills penalties to negate their scoring opportunities early.
Let’s take a look at what stood out.
Kenny Pickett Has Taken A Huge Step Forward
It doesn’t get much better than scoring three touchdowns on all three series you have taken in the preseason. Pickett is a different quarterback from last season. His confidence and poise are off the charts. The sophomore has taken full command of the offense, and it shows. His pocket awareness is greatly improved from last season.
The touchdown toss to Pat Freiermuth was outstanding. Freiermuth was covered. The ball could only be completed in one spot. Pickett threw the ball in the only place his star tight end could catch it. Pickett doesn’t even attempt that throw last season, much less sling it with such velocity and accuracy. Yeah, sure, it’s only preseason game two, but it’s safe to say Pickett is looking to chisel his name in the upper echelon of AFC quarterbacks this year.
Kenny Pickett ➡️ Pat Freiermuth pic.twitter.com/UcpDov5EQp
— PFF (@PFF) August 19, 2023
Overall Team Speed Has Improved
Starting from the opening snap of the game, you can see that Pittsburgh’s overall team speed is much better than the previous few seasons. Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin have done a tremendous job of putting together a younger, faster roster. Against Buffalo, it was on full display.
You can start with Jaylen Warren’s 62-yard touchdown run on his only carry of the game. The Steelers want to run the football. Warren is the perfect change-of-pace back to go along with Najee Harris, mainly because he can do all the things you need from a running back in today’s NFL (run, block, catch out of the backfield). More importantly, he’s more explosive than Harris. That’s not to say he is a superior running back, so let’s pump the brakes on that, but that explosiveness is noteworthy.
The defense flew around all night until the game was well in hand. We understand who the stars are. If healthy, we know they are going to create havoc. Keep your eye on Kwon Alexander. He received a ridiculous unnecessary roughness penalty against Tampa Bay last week, but he’s going to demand playing time as he is already the Steelers’ best cover middle linebacker. He was all over the place against the Bills.
The Steelers team speed is something teams are going to have to deal with all season long.
Outside Linebacker Depth Is No Longer An Issue
Coming into the 2023 season, the Steelers needed to find depth at outside linebacker, which they sorely lacked last year. Too many times the pass rush evaporated when the starters left the field. According to T.J. Watt, things are changing. Per Dale Lolley of Steelers.com:
“As edge rushers in this defense, we can’t play 100% of the snaps. So to have guys we can trust to make plays when we’re not in there, when we’re sitting on the sidelines getting gassed back up to go back in is huge for the defense. I like the way our room is shaping up.”
Markus Golden is a 32-year-old veteran pass rusher who will give stars Watt and Alex Highsmith a much-needed rest. His ability to turn the corner on obvious passing situations will be an excellent asset.
But the star of the Steelers’ preseason on defense has obviously been Nick Herbig. The 2023 fourth-round pick has done nothing but make life miserable for opposing offenses during the preseason. While he will provide depth, presumably the Steelers will look for ways to get him on the field with Watt and Highsmith. His skillset allows him to do a multitude of things that the Steelers will look to take advantage of. The Steelers haven’t had a player who is able to cover and rush from the middle linebacker position in quite some time. Sure, it’s only the preseason, but the Steelers may have solved that problem.
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