HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. -- Welcome to my written feature at DK Pittsburgh Sports!
After each game the Steelers play, I'll grade their performance, overall and by positional groups ... and here I go with the 19-16 win over the Falcons on Sunday:
QUARTERBACK (B)
Kenny Pickett did everything you needed him to do. Wasn't too flashy. Big bomb to Pat Freiermuth down the field. But he took care of the ball. No negative plays. Kudos to him.
RUNNING BACKS (B+)
A lot of yards on the ground, including 86 hard yards from Najee Harris. I thought they were efficient. They were downhill. It was old school Steelers ball for the most part.
TIGHT ENDS (A)
Freiermuth and Zach Gentry block where you needed them to. The only touchdown of the day came from a tight end, Connor Heyward, and they are the group right now that is probably the most consistent on offense.
WIDE RECEIVERS (C-)
It's just the delegation of passes have to kind of clear itself up. But drops aren't OK.
OFFENSIVE LINE (A-)
Very positive. Churn out the ball as much as you needed them to. I didn't love the methods at times, but they got the job done. No negative plays for those dudes up front. No sacks. Just ... I'd like it a little bit cleaner.
DEFENSIVE LINE / OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS (B-)
One sack on the day by Cam Heyward. Really good group up front.
INSIDE LINEBACKERS (B-)
Simply put, just a solid day for Myles Jack, Devin Bush and Robert Spillane.
SECONDARY (B+)
Capped off the game with a Minkah Fitzpatrick interception. No wide receiver on the Atlanta side had over 100 yards on the day. Good run support where you needed them. Also just not enough as far as breakups. It was bend but don't break, so I can't fault them too much.
SPECIAL TEAMS (A-)
Fumble by Steven Sims on a return. Can't have that. Must clean those up. Wasn't a whole lot to call home about, other than shutting down Cordarelle Patterson. Matthew Wright has been solid. And a timely punt at the end for Pressley Harvin.
