What looked like a routine victory for the Steelers on paper, proved anything but as the Cleveland Browns came into Pittsburgh and threatened the Steelers AFC North chances (as well as the health of several starters).
Indeed, while the result is what was expected and desired, it’s hard to tell how much this could cost the Steelers in the future. Ben Roethlisberger was hobbled and Maurkice Pouncey forced from the game while Ziggy Hood also disappeared in the second quarter never to return. The extra layoff will do them good but it’s hard for any team to contend with three players picking up knocks, especially one trying to chase down the Baltimore Ravens.
Still it’s to their credit they overcame a stubborn Browns team who struggled, outside of an opening drive, to move the ball. A shame for Cleveland though as their defense really stepped it up with big stands and key turnovers to stop Pittsburgh from building up a lead before the big play threat of the Steelers' receivers knocked them out for the count. Let’s look at some of the key performances.
Cleveland – Three Performances of Note
A Long Way To Go
When you’re an AFC North team and you draft a quarterback, you know that eventually they’re going to have to overcome the Pittsburgh Steelers and Dick LeBeau’s defense. It’s where Andy Dalton has come undone this year and where Joe Flacco has excelled. So what about Colt McCoy? Well the sophomore was poor, earning every bit of his -4.7 grade. He held onto the ball too long, taking two sacks as he rolled out of the pocket. He also made bad decisions, throwing an interception when the Browns were in scoring position. He made bad throws, overthrowing his receivers on more than occasion. It overshadowed some good throws (particularly fitting a ball in between defenders with 4:22 to go in the first) and was ultimately the undoing of Cleveland. On this evidence, he’s a long way from providing a stern challenge for the Pittsburgh D.
Comeback Player of the Year?
Is it a stretch to put D’Qwell Jackson (+2.5) in the mix for comeback player of the year? The Browns linebacker has suffered over the past two years with injuries but has flourished in a Browns defensive scheme that makes it easy for him to flow to the ball and make plays. Last night he was able to pick up a sack as he breezed past a late reacting Isaac Redman (Q2 3:14), but it was his work in run defense that was most impressive. Granted only two of his tackles constituted defensive stops, but the way he attacked the point of attack, twice standing Steelers blockers up (one of which being Marcus Gilbert at 1:53 in the first) was impressive. This is not something you always see from Jackson and it's great to see such a talented player healthy again.
Mixed day for Gocong
Watching this game one of the most impressive series of plays was that of Chris Gocong (-1.1), as he managed to contribute on four consecutive run plays (two tackles, two assists) as the Steelers were the victims of a Browns goalline stand. It was the highlight of an excellent fourth quarter where Gocong rated positively on six plays – all the better when you think the Steelers had only 15 plays. The reason his rating is so low is that he didn’t do much before that. He missed a tackle on David Johnson, was blocked out of a number of plays by skill position players, and over-pursued badly on one Rashard Mendenhall run (Q3 13:31). Throw in biting hard on a pump fake (Q3 12:11) and you get a performance that was either boom or bust. Still, can’t help but be impressed by that goalline stand.
Pittsburgh – Three Performances of Note
Fear the Beard
With the Steelers short on bodies on the defensive line, even more depends on the play of Brett Keisel (+3.6). Fortunately, he of the awesome beard, is responding to the challenge with some of his best play as a pro. The RE picked up a QB hit and three hurries while batting two passes as he was constant thorn in the side of Colt McCoy. Keisel was superbly supported by a guy I think we’re going to see more of; Steve McLendon (+2.3). The undrafted free agent from 2009 continues to impress in limited action, adding to his sack with some stellar work in run defense. He was only on the field for six plays in run defense but in that time he managed to explode through the block of Alex Mack to leave the Browns short on third and goal (Q1, 10:07) and work off the block of Shawn Lauvao (Q3, 7:24) to pick up a tackle for a short gain. There’s something about McLendon that suggests we should be seeing more of him.
Rough Day for a Rookie
While a lot of attention was put at the doorstep of Chris Kemoeatu (-3.8) for his three crippling penalties, he wasn’t the weakest link in the Steelers' offensive line. That fell to rookie Marcus Gilbert (-4.5) who, in addition to two penalties, gave up three pressures and had some real problems when he was matched up with the Browns linebackers. This is the worst I’ve seen Gilbert look after an encouraging rookie year so it will be interesting how he responds.
Receiving Options
The more the season goes on, the less I find myself talking about Mike Wallace (+1.8) and the more I’m unable to stop heaping superlatives on Antonio Brown (+3.3), who surely must be in contention for a Pro Bowl spot after another standout performance. He may have dropped a pass, but his touchdown grab was the key play as he twisted and turned Michael Adams inside and out after Joe Haden had slipped. Over the last seven weeks, Brown has now picked up a league best +13.1 receiving grade. Brown and Wallace are developing into major problems for defensive coordinators around the league.
Game Notes
– The writing on the wall? Hines Ward fumbled a ball and only ran five pass routes all game.
– Colt McCoy actually completed more balls (53.3%) when pressured, as opposed to when he wasn’t (50%).
– Big day for William Gay who allowed 5-of-10 balls thrown at him, while picking-off a ball and breaking up two more passes.
PFF Game Ball
His grade wasn’t the best in the world, but sometimes you have to look beyond that to realize what Ben Roethlisberger overcame. You won’t often see a player limp as they hand off a ball, and yet Big Ben still managed to do enough to put his receivers in position to make plays. The stats may have flattered his pure passing performance but you have to ask yourself the question, do the Steelers win this game if Roethlisberger doesn’t play through the pain barrier?
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