Instant reaction to Steelers 30-7 loss vs. 49ers
A highly anticipated matchup soon turned upside down for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. A crushing defeat at home, the game was as one-sided as the score, with Pittsburgh never really showing up to play. But like any game, there are positives, negatives, and takeaways that have to be addressed, even if the latter outweigh […]
A highly anticipated matchup soon turned upside down for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.
A crushing defeat at home, the game was as one-sided as the score, with Pittsburgh never really showing up to play.
But like any game, there are positives, negatives, and takeaways that have to be addressed, even if the latter outweigh the former:
Forget It Pickett
Perhaps the most disappointing part of the Steelers' loss, second-year passer Kenny Pickett looked sluggish, uncomfortable, and downright bad on Sunday. He was off target all afternoon, and doubled down with even worse decision-making:
An obvious Cover 2 call by S.F., linebacker Fred Warner is what we call "running the pipe" in Tampa Two, making that area of the field a no-go for the opposing QB.
Pickett obviously felt he could prove otherwise, throwing into the fire for his second interception of the day, ending a stat line that included 31 completions on 46 attempts for 232 yards, one TD, and two interceptions.
Injury Bug Bites Hard
As if getting embarrassed at home in your season opener wasn't bad enough, the Steelers saw multiple starters sustain injuries, with Diontae Johnson and Cam Heyward both being ruled out fairly soon after their respective injuries.
Pat Freiermuth, "Chuks" Okorafor, and DeMarvin Leal also left the game with injuries.
T.J. Watt Doesn't Disappoint
I expected Watt to come to play today, and that he did. Recording not one, not two, but three sacks and multiple forced fumbles, the former DPOY was up to his game-changing ways again, even if the rest of his squad wasn't:
Watt has now tied the franchise record for sacks at 80.5, one away from surpassing current leader James Harrison and staking his claim as the best pass rusher in Steelers' history..
Featured image via: © Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports