Same story, different year, with the Pittsburgh Steelers getting bounced in the first round of the playoffs by the Houston Texans 30-6.
In this article, I will provide data from Pro Football Focus (PFF) and takeaways.
Offense:
Excellent (90-Plus Grades):
NONE.
Great (80-Plus Grades):
The best grade on offense was G Mason McCormick (83.0 grade, 57 snaps). Given a team best 82.2 run block grade, along with a 75.3 pass block. Allowed two pressures, with a hurry and sack allowed. Recovered a fumble on a sack in the third quarter, a critical play at the time before the score got out of hand in the fourth quarter.
Good (70-Plus Grades):
Three players.
Spencer Anderson (77.2, 6) continued his tackle eligible role, but was used less than expected. Pittsburgh ran the ball only 18 times, frustratingly abandoning it too early in the game, and went away from their jumbo package, sadly. In limited playing time, Anderson was given a 78.9 pass block (two snaps) with no pressures or sacks allowed, and a 70.5 run block.
Another lineman in T Dylan Cook (73.1, 57). 74.1 run block was third on the team. 68.2 pass block, allowing three pressures (a hurry, QB hit, and sack). The latter was one of four sacks on QB Aaron Rodgers. Cook’s was costly, a forced fumble turnover, which Houston scooped and scored on to extend their lead to 17-3 at 11:23 in the fourth quarter.
WR Adam Thielen (72.5, 17) caught both of his targets for 25 yards. Both were important plays, starting with a fourth-down conversion in the second quarter, extending that drive, which ended in one of the team’s two field goals. The other was a 21-yard catch, one of only two explosive plays for Pittsburgh in the game. 71.3 receiving led the team. 58.5 run block (three snaps).
Bad (Below 50 Grades):
The worst grade on offense was Scotty Miller (45.2, 7). Played sparingly, with most opportunities coming on run plays (five snaps). 32.0 run block grade was second-worst on the team. Wasn’t targeted in the pass game, with a 58.0 receiving grade on two snaps.
Defense:
Excellent (90-Plus Grades):
NONE.
Great (80-Plus Grades):
Two players.
The best grade on defense, and overall, was S Chuck Clark (89.1, 33). Led the team with an 84.2 tackle grade. Six total tackles tied for second on the team, including a run tackle for loss, which was his only stop. Also had a huge deep pass breakup, which thankfully masked poor cornerback coverage. 80.1 coverage, 75.2 run defense, 59.1 pass rush (one snap).
EDGE Jack Sawyer (83.2, 11) had only two pass rushes, but was very impactful with a strip sack turnover on his lone pressure, blowing up Houston’s flea flicker attempt in the first quarter. Excellent 91.0 pass rush grade. One total tackle for a stop, for a 69.9 tackle grade. 59.2 run defense (eight snaps), 60.0 coverage (one snap), noting a poor red zone rep.
Good (70-Plus Grades):
Four here.
CB Joey Porter Jr. (79.3, 68) was solid in coverage overall once again. Team best 80.3 coverage, allowing 3-for-7 receiving for 26 yards with minimal yards after catch, and two impressive pass breakups in the third quarter. One was a third-down stop leading to a Texans field goal, limiting their lead to 10-6. Two total tackles (one stop). 75.4 tackling, 66.1 run defense.
CB Asante Samuel Jr. (76.2, 27) had one solo tackle, a 14-yard run in the third quarter. 0-for-1 receiving allowed. 76.6 coverage (14 snaps), 72.8 tackling, 65.6 run defense (13 snaps).
EDGE Nick Herbig (74.9, 26) had five total tackles, with two stops. Showed good hustle to chase down a four-yard catch and enjoyed a one-yard run tackle. 78.8 coverage grade (four snaps) was third on the team, and wasn’t targeted. 75.4 tackling, 70.7 run defense (14 snaps), 68.9 pass rush. Had one pressure (hurry) on eight pass rushes. Penalized for a facemask late game, putting Houston in the red zone to go up 24-6 shortly after.
DL Cameron Heyward (73.5, 51) had three total tackles, including two run stops. Also missed a run tackle, for a team-worst tackling grade of 28.6. His best individual grade was a 74.2 pass rush, tying for a team-leading three pressures (all hurries). Noted one of high quality that led to an incompletion. 68.6 run defense. He was dinged in the third quarter, then returned, which seemingly affected his effectiveness.
Bad (Below 50 Grades):
Four more.
LB Malik Harrison (42.6, 25) had two total tackles per the NFL gamebook stats, but PFF charted him for four with two run stops. One came in the fourth quarter. 78.3 tackling was his best grade by far. 60.0 pass rush (one snap) with no pressure. 51.8 run defense, so an up and down performance against the run (his calling card). 46.2 coverage (third worst on the team), allowing a 14-yard catch on his lone target.
DL Derrick Harmon (37.8, 44) tied for second on the team with six total tackles. Three stops, with two against the run in the first quarter. Best individual grade was 72.2 tackling. Run defense wavered as the game wore on, with a 38.7 grade that was the third worst on the team. 58.3 pass rush (21 snaps), getting a third-quarter sack on his lone pressure. Made some plays, but the rookie was one of several players who weren’t consistent enough.
S Kyle Dugger (29.8, 32) struggled once again in coverage. Second-worst 29.6 team grade, allowing 3-of-4 receiving for 26 yards per PFF. Poor coverage on a 3rd and 15, allowing a double explosive 46-yard catch allowed, a backbreaking conversion late in the third quarter. Tied for second on the team with six total tackles (one stop). 82.6 tackle (second on team), 65.9 run defense, 60.0 pass rush (one snap, one pressure).
The worst grade on defense, and overall, was CB Brandin Echols (27.0, 44). Three total tackles (one stop). 73.1 pass rush, with two pressures (hurries) on as many snaps. One was an early third-down stop that resulted in an incompletion. Did have a fantastic play, a wow third-down red zone interception in the third quarter. 64.2 run defense.
Nine targets, eight catches, 143 yards, and 61 YAC were all team worsts, though. Also, poor coverage along with Dugger on the aforementioned 46-yarder. 39.5 tackling, including a crucial miss on a 6-yard touchdown catch second quarter. Penalized for a late game offsides to boot. Yikes.
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):
Four players.
Carson Bruener (76.7, 17), Ben Skowronek (74.0, 16), Payton Wilson (71.2, 23), Jabrill Peppers (71.1, 22). Bruener and Skowronek tied for a team-high two solo tackles, with Skowronek adding an assist as well, while Wilson and Peppers had one of each. These core teamers accounted for every special teams tackle per PFF.
Bad (Below 50 Grades):
The worst special teams grade was D’Shawn Jamison (49.2, 6). PFF charted him for the only missed special teams tackle for Pittsburgh. The unit certainly wasn’t the reason for the loss, though, with the gut-wrenching woes on offense and the fourth-quarter derailing on defense.
Steelers Week 18 Snaps:
Week 18 Snap Leaders/Playoff Total Snaps Leader:
OFF – Dylan Cook, Troy Fautanu, Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick, Isaac Seumalo
DEF – Joey Porter Jr., Patrick Queen, Jalen Ramsey
ST – Payton Wilson
TOT – Patrick Queen, Jalen Ramsey
