Steelers Stock Watch: Fallers after Week 2
The Pittsburgh Steelers may have woken up victorious on Tuesday, but it was far from a perfect game. In the NFL, you'll take a win however you can get it. As Coach Tomlin told the media after the game, "We won't apologize for winning." But that doesn't mean there isn't room to criticize some players […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers may have woken up victorious on Tuesday, but it was far from a perfect game.
In the NFL, you'll take a win however you can get it. As Coach Tomlin told the media after the game, "We won't apologize for winning."
But that doesn't mean there isn't room to criticize some players and units, with these groups and individuals seeing a decrease in stock after Week 2:
Kenny Pickett:
Kenny Pickett finished yesterday's game completing only 50% of his passes, receiving a 35.0 PFF grade, and has a 29.0 QBR which ranks him 30th in the league through two weeks.
His ball placement and accuracy have taken a hit, but what's even more worrisome, is his mental processing. Pickett simply isn't seeing the field right now, and when he does release the ball, it's often a miss or a throw to the opposite team.
I'm not sure what the problem is, and why Pickett has started so slow this season, but things need to change and fast. This goes beyond the Steelers' success this season. If Pickett puts up a few more stinkers like the last two weeks, Pittsburgh will once again be in the quarterback market.
So hopefully Pickett settles in. Like I said last week, these are errors that he should not be making. Accuracy and decision-making are his calling card, seeing as he's not the tangibly gifted passer and athlete that Mahomes, Allen, Herbert, and Lamar are.
For now, I'm going to label it a slow start. But if he puts up another performance that mimics last night on primetime vs. the Raiders, we are going to have problems.
Offensive Line:
One of the reasons many were high on the potential of the 2023 Steelers' offense was the rebuilding of their offensive line. Having at least suitable tackles and a solid guard duo, the thought was the team would be able to maul people in the run game and hold up in pass protection.
Well, not only has the offensive line let up six sacks through two weeks, they also have only allocated 96 yards on the ground.
That simply isn't good enough. And yes, I know the Steelers haven't attempted to run the ball as much as they should, but when they have, there is little displacement up front.
The units' play over the past two weeks is simply unsustainable for success, so they have to step up and create a rhythm for this offense.
Front Seven:
On the flip side of the ball, the Steelers defense is getting run through like a knife through hot butter after two weeks. Letting up 188 yards on the ground in Week 1 and 198 yards last night, this team is not physical enough at the point of attack right now.
And yes, I know Cam Heyward was out the majority of the season opener, and obviously didn't play last night. I also recognize that Pittsburgh played arguably the two best rushing attacks in the league, but sorry, nearly 400 yards rushing allowed in two games is inconceivable.
Pittsburgh brought in linebackers like Elandon Roberts, Cole Holcomb, and Kwon Alexander to fix their run defense. So far they have done anything but, as that trio and members along the interior of the defensive line need to step up, and fast.
Steelers Stock Watch: Risers after Week 2
Here’s who seeing the biggest bump in valuation after Week 2.
Featured image via:© Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
