HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. -- Welcome to my written feature at DK Pittsburgh Sports!
After each game the Steelers play, I'll grade their performance by positional groups ... and here I go with the 28-14 win over the Browns on Sunday:
QUARTERBACKS (C)
The growth that Kenny Pickett's had, I wanted to see more throughout the end of the season. He had four overthrows that could have been big-time completions to carry this offense down the field through the air. And, he just so happened to not get interceptions on those plays — they easily could have been — or way off on completions.
RUNNING BACKS (A)
In general, the tandem of Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren is going to be something to deal with moving forward for a while. Also, throw in the fact that Derek Watt had a touchdown on the season too. Easy 'A' for this group.
TIGHT ENDS (B+)
They did a lot. You had Connor Heyward making plays down the field. Zach Gentry was making plays. Pat Freiermuth couldn't get much going. But in general, they blocked. You could almost throw Watt in that conversation too.
WIDE RECEIVERS (B-)
Whether it was balls through Diontae Johnson's hands or him fumbling the ball on the incompletion, just not good. George Pickens is 2023's No. 1 wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
OFFENSIVE LINE (A-)
They gradually have gotten better. In this game against your divisional opponent in a must-win type of weekend, they controlled the line of scrimmage and kept Kenny relatively clean. Myles Garrett is just good off the edge. Not much you can do there. One sack for him for six yards, I'll take it. It was just one of those moments where he was bound to get his, and he picked the right moment to rush that fast.
DEFENSIVE LINE / OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS (A-)
Why it's not an 'A+' is because Deshaun Watson escaped way too many times. But, they were able to close out the game with the quarterback on his back. Love that, defense.
INSIDE LINEBACKERS (D+)
I'm not out on Mark Robinson. But, this is why guys who are backups have to learn how to be starters. Also, having him stunt on a blitz and not be able to get home for the sack on Watson? Not okay. Neither one of those guys played well in coverage today. Your leading tackler for the day was Minkah Fitzpatrick. That tells you all about the second level of the defense when it comes down to the linebackers.
SECONDARY (A-)
I know it wasn't beautiful. This group has kind of been pieced together all year long, and they find ways to make play after play after play. From Cam Sutton to Minkah to Damontae Kazee to Levi Wallace, this group is a group of misfits that know how to play football.
SPECIAL TEAMS (B-)
Steven Sims bobbled the ball towards the end of the game and they gave up too many yards on kickoff and punt return. Also, Chris Boswell is also just a killer field-goal kicker. They had great starting field position the entire day, too."