the Pittsburgh Steelers were back on the pitch on Saturday when they played the Las Vegas Raiders in week 16 of regular season action. The Steelers won the contest, but that doesn’t mean every player had a good or bad performance.
Players who play well can be considered ‘winners’, while those who left a lot to be desired can be called ‘losers’. It may sound harsh, but that’s the crux of this exercise.
Let’s check to see who fell on which side of the ledger after the last game…
Winners
George Pickens
Statistics line: 5 catches, 57 yards, 11.4 average, 1 TD, 25 longs, 5 targets
Steelers fans shouted from the rooftops to get Pickens more involved. Everyone has heard the responses to these statements. “He’s a rookie, he needs time to develop.” Things like that. Well, outside of a game where he dropped a few passes, the rookie has been one of the most stable forces on the Steelers offense. Performances like this won’t appease people who want more Pickens week after week. It was good to see him take matters into his own hands when the passes were thrown at him.
Pat Freiermuth
Statistics line: 7 catches, 66 yards, 9.4 average, 0 TDs, 17 longs, 8 targets
It was Freiermuth who recommended the Steelers wear all No. 32 jerseys both before and after the game, and the former Penn State tight end did his best to honor the late Penn State running back . Freiermuth had a pass through his hands which, although a bit high, should have been caught. but other than that, he made up for it with some crucial second-half conversion receptions. It was also great to see Freiermuth get 8 targets, this after not getting one last week in Carolina.
Najee Harris
Statistics line: 16 carries, 53 yards, 3.3 average, 0 TD, 14 yards long / 6 catches, 42 yards, 7.0 average, 0 TDs, 19 long, 9 targets
The Steelers’ running game left a lot to be desired, but it was the type of play fans saw frequently during his rookie season. Not only run the football, but also use the receiving ability to move the football. In the second half, it was Harris the receiver, not necessarily the runner, who made the difference for the offense. Moving the chains, setting up the offense was the theme, and it made all the difference for the offense when it needed it most.
Diontae Johnson
Statistics line: 5 catches, 64 yards, 12.8 average, 0 TDs, 15 longs, 7 targets
Johnson was hot in the first half but chilled in the second, but his first half was something to behold. You could see the Raiders deciding how they wanted to defend Steelers receivers, and that was by shading toward Pickens. This left Johnson with a 1-on-1 match, which he won easily. In the second half, the adjustments created less space for Johnson, and it opened things up for the others. These are the counter-adjustments you want to see from the offense.
Kenny Pickett
Statistics line: 26/39, 244 yards, 6.3 average, 1 TD, 1 INT, 0 sacks, 81.6 rating
Some will lament putting Pickett on the winners list, but there are games where he plays best when it matters most for a rather mundane performance. Pickett wasn’t perfect, far from it, but the final two-minute drive was orchestrated to make fans feel better than they thought for the rookie a few quarters ago. Pickett played well when it mattered most, and that’s what should matter most.
Cam Heyward
Statistics line: 7 tackles, 4 solo, 2 sacks, 3 TFL, 1 defensive pass, 2 QB hits
While the rest of the defense forgot to show up on the first drive, Cam Heyward seemed determined not to let Franco Harris’ night be ruined because of the defense. From the moment Heyward exited the tunnel giving up flag 32, he was ready to put on a vintage performance. Heyward played the lights and the Steelers needed every play he provided.
to rush
Statistics line: 3 sacks / 5 QB shots
The Raiders don’t give up many sacks, and having the Steelers come home three times was great. They’ll need that kind of production in stride to keep their playoff hopes alive, as well as the hope of keeping Mike Tomlin’s undefeated season streak intact.
Timely defense
Statistics line: 3 takeaway meals
The takeout was huge, but take a look at the stats below from ESPN’s Bill Barnwell. They speak for themselves…
The Raiders went 72 yards for a TD on the first drive. Here’s what they did next:
14 yards (punting)
12 yards (punting)
53 yards (FG)
0 meters (INT)
20 meters (INT)
12 yards (punting)
13 yards (punting)
5 yards (punting)
0 meters (INT)I can’t even say they miss Renfrow + Waller anymore.
— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) December 25, 2022
Win for Franco
Statistics line: Similarities galore
The idea of the Steelers not picking up a win on Franco Harris’ night was about as heartbreaking as it gets. Fortunately, the Steelers got back to their feet, just like the team did in 1972, and won the game. Similarities between scores, etc. were crazy, but made for a very memorable game for everyone involved.
losers
3rd and Long Defense
Statistics line: LVR – 6 for 12
Allowing 50% to the opposition is far from perfect for the Steelers defense, but 3rd-and-16th, and other 3rd-and-longs were hard to watch. The Steelers defense used to hang its hat by putting the opposition in 3rd and long play situations. That’s when they did the most damage. Now, fans are wondering how they will drop the conversion. The defense picked up a bit in the second half, and those adjustments were welcome.
Chris Boswell
Statistics line: 2/4 FG, 1/1 XP
Kicking in sub-zero temperatures can’t be easy, and I still think Tomlin should have gone for it instead of trying for a 52-yard field goal, but you expect the Pro-Bowl kicker to do anything from the 40 meter range. In a game where points come first, you can’t afford to leave anything on the field.
tackle
Statistics line: Anyone covering Hunter Renfrow
It started with Tre Norwood misplaying Renfrow on his touchdown reception, but continued throughout the game. It was cold, and maybe that was it, but the Steelers’ tackles certainly left a lot to be desired.
3rd offense
Statistics line: 5 for 14
After the Steelers’ dominant 3rd offense last week, they followed it up with a below-average performance Saturday night vs. Vegas. However, the caveat here is how the team got the conversions when they needed them, and those would be the last two offensive possessions of the game.
If you want a more detailed look at the list above, check out my “Let’s Ride” podcast where I break down every Winner and Loser, and MORE!
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