Winners and losers of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 24-16 win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.
WINNERS
Najee Harris: Harris ran hard and helped set the tone as the Steelers returned to physical football. He steadily pushed the pile forward and got the hidden footage that Baltimore picked up last week. His first TD was a great play, putting talented LB/S Jeremy Chinn on edge. Harris missed two more short scores against Jaylen Warren and Mitch Trubisky, but Harris was ahead today.
Dan Moore/Kevin Dotson: Thanks to the whole o line for their push, but it’s worth shouting out to Moore and Dotson. Pittsburgh strayed a bit to the left side in this game, especially early on, and they got a good push for Harris. At best, both are strong run blockers and created a lot of movement in this one. Dotson had a false start thankfully negated by the Panthers’ encroachment on the next play, but those two did well. Ditto in pass protection where top DE Brian Burns wasn’t a factor on that side.
Front Seven Run Defense: Pittsburgh knew that to win this game they had to stop the run. They did it. Cam Heyward played his typical excellent football while Larry Ogunjobi was much better than a week ago. But the whole group defended the race. It’s a team led defense, not just one man. Carolina is a more manageable team, but they’ve found traction on the court. Pittsburgh stopped them in their tracks today. After rushing for more than 200 yards last week, the Panthers were held to 22nd Sunday and an incredible zero first down rush.
Alex Highsmith: I have to shout out Highsmith especially for this one. A homecoming in Carolina where he grew up and played his college ball in Charlotte. After a relatively calm first half, Highsmith resumed the second half with a sack and a great run of fourth quarter plays with the Panthers on the go base. A second tackle to the line was followed by a third down press which led to a sack from Sam Darnold, holding them to a basket.
Diota Johnson: The taunt penalty wasn’t acceptable, there’s no denying it, but there’s a lot more good than a bad (and stupid) play. Johnson was the Steelers guy in third place in this one and Pittsburgh the smartly lined up more often in the slot, converting at least three times from that lineup with tilts and takedowns, including a 3rd and 14 conversion for 19 down the middle. He’s still looking for that first TD but he helped move the ball today. More penalties, please (and don’t hit side kicks when you don’t need them).
Third offence: A terrific performance today, converting from short and converting from distance. Pittsburgh finished the day 12-16 on third down and that was a big reason they controlled the clock for much of the game, including the last drive.
Chris Boswell: You hit the game-sealing 50-yard field goal on the road, you get on this list. It’s money. You don’t know the value of a good kicker until you have one. The Steelers were lucky to find and develop Boz.
LOSERS
Marcus Allen: Dumb penalties are the theme of the game. But none were dumber than Allen’s. After a third sack by Heyward, Allen – for totally obscure and unwarranted reasons – ran from midfield on the punt team to the Panthers sideline to mingle with their players. An easy and inexcusable flag that can honestly be considered a bench on Christmas Eve. It was so blatant.
Diontae Johnson had a good game at receiver, but his smirk call was almost costly, although Pittsburgh saved face and found the end zone anyway. Pittsburgh finished the day with seven penalties for 81 yards, two numbers looking for an ugly Christmas sweater.
Jacques Pierre: The Steelers’ corners weren’t at their best in this one. Pierre was always a bit questionable above the neck and appeared to err on Terrace Marshall’s long third down on the sideline, with Pierre failing to follow and match the road leading vertically to the touchdown Panthers. Carolina had too much success throwing the ball in the first half as Pittsburgh won the run. Late in the game, the Panthers once again found vertical play and aside from a few RPO/bubble breaks, the Steelers’ corners weren’t a 1-on-1 win.
Robert Spillane: Better against the run, Pittsburgh thinks he’s also an excellent cover linebacker. In the zone he can survive, but he can’t run as a man and the reception he allowed to RB Chuba Hubbard was another example, taking short control and running away from a diving Spillane for a 45-yard gain.
0 Comments