Grading the 5 players to watch from Steelers-Packers
If the Pittsburgh Steelers were going to beat the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, they needed a big game from 5 players. Well, following a 23-19 win, some did better than others. Here is a look at how those players performed: Kenny Pickett: C- Pickett was inconsistent in the first half, missing some easy throws, […]
If the Pittsburgh Steelers were going to beat the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, they needed a big game from 5 players.
Well, following a 23-19 win, some did better than others.
Here is a look at how those players performed:
Kenny Pickett: C-
Pickett was inconsistent in the first half, missing some easy throws, but also dicing up the Packers' defense with a couple of nice balls to Diontae Johnson and George Pickens respectively, but it amounted to nothing.
In the second half, Pickett wasn't much more dynamic, finishing the game with 126 passing yards.
Pittsburgh's ground game was rolling with 207 yards on the ground, and he is still nursing a pair of injured ribs, but it was still an underwhelming performance from Pickett.
George Pickens: C
Despite some recent comments and actions that displayed obvious frustration on behalf of his targets, Pickens was not featured in the first half. He caught only two passes for 17 yards and that was with the Packers down their best corner Jaire Alexander.
After the intermission, Pickens would get back to his natural self, hooking up with Kenny Pickett on what has become an automatic connection, even if it's not utilized enough in my opinion:
Pickens was a nonfactor outside of this play, however, ending the game with a mere 3 receptions.
Broderick Jones: A+
Jones approached the game making his second straight start at RT after Chuks Okorafor continues to be disciplined for his comments after the Jaguars game.
Well, Jones has taken his opportunity and run with it:
Jones would go on to dominate in the run game and hold his own against the Packers' prolific pass rush, although it is clear that he is still a work in progress when it comes to pass protection.
Joey Porter Jr.: B+
Joey Porter Jr. struggled a bit in the first half, letting up a big completion to Packers WR Christian Watson, before also getting called for a costly pass interference.
But it was good to see him show confidence in the area he has struggled most in…Tackling:
Porter Jr. would settle in for the remainder of the game in both coverage and in the run game, being a catalyst to the defensive stand down the stretch.
Kwon Alexander: I (Incomplete)
Alexander didn't even get to play a full drive after going down late on the Steelers' first defensive series. He was eventually ruled out late in the second with what was called a leg injury.
