Top Takeaways From Steelers Win Over Cleveland
Photo Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense came into Monday night looking to rebound from a weak and passive opening performance. On the first snap of the game, they dispelled any negatively building narratives by intercepting Deshaun Watson and returning it for a touchdown. One of two defensive scores on the night, the pick six sent a clear message to anyone and everyone: Don’t be fooled by Week 1, this defense intends to be elite.
While Tomlin’s D made life miserable for Watson all night, Pittsburgh’s offense was again putride. The lack of a running game and Kenny Pickett‘s continued struggles made the game this one much closer than it should’ve been. Let’s break down the key talkers following Monday night.
The Elephant In The Room: Matt Canada’s Offense
I’m sorry. I know I said I would wait for the first five games to see where the Black and Gold’s offense stood before making any rash decisions on Matt Canada. Five games are no longer necessary.
Nothing epitomizes the ineptitude of Canada’s play calling more than his call on third-and-one from the Steelers’ 34-yard line with 3:05 to go in the game. With a chance to put the game away, Canada called this:
Here is the EZ view of your Matt Canada Special from Monday night:
3-1-PIT 34 (3:05) (Shotgun) K.Pickett right tackle to PIT 31 for -3 yards (O.Okoronkwo). #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/RB1oqQUDz0
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) September 19, 2023
A read option to the weak side of the formation where you were outnumbered? Unbelievable. Yes, Pickett (we will get to his struggles later) could have changed the play if he has that autonomy. But why did that play even enter the coordinator’s thought process? The offense was once again predictable and lacking innovation. Who knows if an organization that prides itself on stability would move on from Canada mid season, but the 68,000 fans at Acrisure Stadium chanting “Fire Matt Canada” during the fourth quarter are sure hoping they’ll consider it.
Kenny Pickett Has Regressed
Somewhere between the preseason and the regular season, Pickett has somehow lost his confidence. His accuracy has been spotty at best. Against the Browns, he continued to double clutch throws and miss open receivers. Guys have been open. Pickett is just not hitting them. As we see here on this throw to Calvin Austin III.
how is calvin austin supposed to thrive in these conditions 😂😭 pic.twitter.com/5UlESi9YYj
— Devin Walker (@Devin_Walker2) September 19, 2023
But it’s not that he isn’t capable. Look at this laser he threw to George Pickens on the 71-yard touchdown pass. He threw it on time and with confidence.
George Pickens with the HOUSE CALL 🏠 pic.twitter.com/2Z3FXyB6mp
— ESPN (@espn) September 19, 2023
A good quarterback sill resides somewhere within Pickett, but Pittsburgh can’t afford the Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde show for much longer. Pickett needs to step up an start consistently showing up
The Offensive Line Still Has A Chance
Its easy to say the offensive line has struggled. Playing against two of the best front sevens in the league will make any online look bad. But taking a deeper dive, the play has been as bad as you think. They just need to be put in a position to succeed.
As the game went on, the offensive line got better. Which is what you want from your running game. A little innovation with how they run the ball early would help. We don’t need jet sweeps and reverses. Just down hill running. Use Darnell Washington in motion and let him lead block off tackle. If you just look at the number versus the Browns, yes, it was putrid. But sometimes stats lie. Inaccurate passing and inept play calling didn’t allow the Steelers line to get in a rhythm versus Cleveland. I expect that changes in the future.
The New Steel Curtain
The defense hounded Watson all night long. Without Cam Heyward, guys like DeMarvin Leal and Larry Ogunjobi stepped up and both had a sack.With future Hall Of Famer T.J. Watt and budding star Alex Highsmith putting pressure from the outside, it was important to have that push up front to try and contain Watson.
The rushing numbers were skewed by the long run from Jerome Ford. The Steelers shut down the play on the front side and had him hemmed in. Back side contain (Levi Wallace) got lazy and ket him out the gate and then couldn’t catch him. Another reason Joey Porter Jr. needs to be in the lineup sooner than later.
George Pickens with the HOUSE CALL 🏠 pic.twitter.com/2Z3FXyB6mp
— ESPN (@espn) September 19, 2023
While it wasn’t a perfect game,Pittsburgh was still able to pull out a victory. Two defensive scores will help with that. The Steelers have 15 more contests to get it right. The Browns have a good roster and presented challenges in spots where the Steelers are not as strong. To be able to win a game where your offense doesn’t take a redzone snap is all that more impressive. So as bad as we may think it is, we are still 1-1. Which is much better than 0-2.
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