PITTSBURGH, PA– It’s been said previously after other games… The Pittsburgh Steelers played a great, however imperfect protective defensive game while the offense made pricey errors that stalled drives and kept points off the board.
As the Steelers are up to 2-5 following a one-score loss to the Miami Dolphins in South Beach, there’s lots of blame to go around on the offensive side of the ball, while the defense’s changes deserve a great deal of recognition.
Here are 3 winners and 4 losers from the Steelers’ tight loss to the Miami Dolphins.
Winners
Najee Harris
Harris looked more like the gamer he was in 2015 in Miami. The numbers are rather pedestrian – 17 brings for 65 backyards and no ratings – however Harris tape-recorded several runs of 10 backyards or more and was type in assisting the Steelers preserve offending balance.
He might have utilized some aid from his offending organizer, who’s run and pass propensities ended up being more apparent with time, however Harris seems headed in the best instructions after 2 foot injuries struck throughout the preseason.
George Pickens
Pickens continued to develop himself as one of Kenny Pickett’s preferred targets. He captured all 6 of his targets for 61 backyards and scored the very first goal of his profession on a seven-yard pass in the very first quarter. For all the faults this offense has, the chemistry the Steelers \’ leading 2 draft choices from 2022 are constructing together is an appealing indication for the future of this franchise.
Teryl Austin
The Dolphins scored 13 of their 16 overall points in the very first quarter and no in the 2nd half. They collected 302 of their 372 overall lawns in the very first half also and their lawns per play reduced by a complete backyard with each passing quarter.
This video game was on the edge of avoiding the Steelers rapidly. The offense couldn’t stay connected to Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill, who developed some explosive gains on the opposite end of tosses from Tua Tugovailoa.
But once the Steelers could “simmer down”, as linebacker Myles Jack put it, they put on a clinic against Miami’s passing game. All three levels did their job versus an explosive offense and credit needs to comeback to the defensive personnel and defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, who had his gamers well-prepared to include a challenger that was miles more gifted than them.
Devin Bush
Bush was an impressive protection backer versus the Dolphins \’ shifty running backs and slot receivers. He revealed a total range of abilities in Miami, making crucial stops versus the run video game and winning in protection. He was among the most excellent parts of a strong synergy on defense.
Losers
Matt Canada
This has actually ended up being a dead horse beat into oblivion however Canada has actually shown a frustrating play-caller once again. The worst part is that the Steelers have actually achieved success in areas under his management. In this video game, the offense moved the ball efficiently when the ball remained in Pickett’s hands. His passing matched a strong effort on the ground and the Steelers had the ability to develop momentum.
However in the 2nd half, the strategy totally altered. Keeping up Harris ended up being the concern. George Pickens, the Steelers’ most popular and most vibrant pass-catcher, was targeted simply two times in the 2nd half. The run video game did not have imagination and was quickly stonewalled. On essential 3rd downs, Canada took the ball out of Pickett’s hands. It was unusual and the predictability of their play series emerged as the video game endured.
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