The Steelers leaned on Chris Boswell to kick some field goals to salvage drives early in the game. Those matter in AFC North battles, and this was no different in Sunday's 23-9 victory over the Browns at Acrisure Stadium.
Fortunately for the offense, they got a couple touchdowns to mitigate any need for Boswell's foot as the quality of the field became a serious issue.
"First drives stalled, but thankfully Boz took care of those kicks before the field got borderline unplayable," Aaron Rodgers said after the game. "That was nice to get those touchdowns in the second half."
Boswell missed his second kick of the season in the fourth quarter, but neither of those failed attempts have been true misses. The first was a block by the Vikings in Dublin, Ireland. The second was claimed by the deteriorating sod at Acrisure Stadium, as Boswell's plant leg slipped on a 54-yard attempt:
The field might have also claimed Miles Killebrew's season, as he sustained a non-contact knee injury, which Mike Tomlin described as "significant." Killebrew was injured on kickoff coverage, with his right knee giving out while trying to plant in the middle of the field -- the area that was in the worst shape.
I spoke with a few players in the locker room about the field, including Corliss Waitman, who was holding the ball for Boswell's attempt. No comments were made on the record, but what I can say is no player was satisfied with the quality of the playing surface.
"By the time the third quarter rolled around, that thing was really beat up," Rodgers said in his postgame press conference. "I feel bad about what happened to Miles. I'm not sure if there was any carry there. I know the field gets a lot of play."
The field at Acrisure Stadium has been in bad shape before, but usually after Pitt hosts a game the day before or during WPIAL high school games, which are also hosted there. However, WPIAL games don't begin for more than a month and Pitt played in Tallahassee, Fla., against Florida State on Saturday. So, that wasn't an excuse.
The grounds crew began replacing the sod 90 minutes after the conclusion of Sunday's game.
The next time the Steelers take the field at Acrisure Stadium will be against the Packers on Oct. 26, a Sunday night matchup at 8:25 p.m. Pitt is set to host NC State the day before at Acrisure Stadium, so the grounds crew will have their work cut out for them.
THE ASYLUM
Rodgers: Field became 'borderline unplayable'
The Steelers leaned on Chris Boswell to kick some field goals to salvage drives early in the game. Those matter in AFC North battles, and this was no different in Sunday's 23-9 victory over the Browns at Acrisure Stadium.
Fortunately for the offense, they got a couple touchdowns to mitigate any need for Boswell's foot as the quality of the field became a serious issue.
"First drives stalled, but thankfully Boz took care of those kicks before the field got borderline unplayable," Aaron Rodgers said after the game. "That was nice to get those touchdowns in the second half."
Boswell missed his second kick of the season in the fourth quarter, but neither of those failed attempts have been true misses. The first was a block by the Vikings in Dublin, Ireland. The second was claimed by the deteriorating sod at Acrisure Stadium, as Boswell's plant leg slipped on a 54-yard attempt:
The field might have also claimed Miles Killebrew's season, as he sustained a non-contact knee injury, which Mike Tomlin described as "significant." Killebrew was injured on kickoff coverage, with his right knee giving out while trying to plant in the middle of the field -- the area that was in the worst shape.
I spoke with a few players in the locker room about the field, including Corliss Waitman, who was holding the ball for Boswell's attempt. No comments were made on the record, but what I can say is no player was satisfied with the quality of the playing surface.
"By the time the third quarter rolled around, that thing was really beat up," Rodgers said in his postgame press conference. "I feel bad about what happened to Miles. I'm not sure if there was any carry there. I know the field gets a lot of play."
The field at Acrisure Stadium has been in bad shape before, but usually after Pitt hosts a game the day before or during WPIAL high school games, which are also hosted there. However, WPIAL games don't begin for more than a month and Pitt played in Tallahassee, Fla., against Florida State on Saturday. So, that wasn't an excuse.
The grounds crew began replacing the sod 90 minutes after the conclusion of Sunday's game.
The next time the Steelers take the field at Acrisure Stadium will be against the Packers on Oct. 26, a Sunday night matchup at 8:25 p.m. Pitt is set to host NC State the day before at Acrisure Stadium, so the grounds crew will have their work cut out for them.
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