MORSE: Week 3 Preview of the Pittsburgh Steelers
Follow us
Follow Us
🕑 Read Time: 8 minutes
Posted Under: Patriots News
HOME > Patriots Blog > Patriots News
This is the synopsis from NFL Analyst Warren Sharpe. “I’m tempted to give you one sentence on the Steelers: I don’t know why they are doing it this way, and I don’t know how they are doing it this way. Some teams are truly incompetent and lose games as a result. Some teams are competent and lose games because it’s tough to win in the NFL. Some teams are competent and win games because they have the quarterback, head coach, and play callers to get it done. And then there is the Steelers”!
The Steelers won 10 games last year despite leading at halftime in just five games. It was the same exact result in 2023. A tremendous amount of credit has to be given to Head Coach Mike Tomlin. You may not like him, but you have to give him your respect for the job he has done in Pittsburgh, having his team in contention every year.
Sharpe cites the following statistics about the Steelers over the past 5 seasons. “There have been 61 teams to win 10 or more games in the last five seasons. Of those 61 offenses, the Steelers over the last two years rank: #59 & #60 in yards per play #58 & #59 in success rate #56 & #60 in EPA per play”. They shouldn’t be winning, but they are!
Upon completing this review of the Steelers, I was impressed with the amount of high draft choices that remain with this team. They draft well and develop their players, and that is why they are in contention every year.
Offense 3WR 1TE
| Starter | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | |
| QB | Aaron Rodgers | Mason Rudolph | Will Howard IR | Skylar Thompson IR |
| RB | Jaylen Warren | Kenneth Gainwell | Kaleb Johnson | |
| WR | DK Metcalf | Scotty Miller | – | – |
| WR | Calvin Austin | Ben Skowronek | – | – |
| WR | Roman Wilson | – | ||
| TE | Jonnu Smith | Pat Freiermuth | Darnell Washington | Donald Parham |
| FB | Connor Heyward | – | – | – |
| LT | Broderick Jones | Calvin Anderson | Gareth Warren IR | |
| LG | Isaac Seumalo | Spencer Anderson | ||
| C | Zach Frazier | Ryan McCollum | – | |
| RG | Mason McCormick | Max Scharping O | – | |
| RT | Troy Fautanu | Andrus Peat |
The Steelers went out and secured Aaron Rodgers on June 6th, late in the Free Agency period. In his first start for Pittsburgh, he went on the road and beat his former team, the NY Jets. In that game, he was 22 of 30 for 244 yards, a TD, and no Interceptions. Last week in a bad loss at home to the Seattle Seahawks, he was 18 of 33 for 203 yards a TD and 2 INTs. His PFF grade for the season is 58.3 good for 34th in the league. Four non-starters had a better grade than he did. That would put him at #30 of 32 starters.
There is no questioning Rodgers’ talent. He has been league MVP 4 times, selected 1st team All-Pro 4 times, and 2nd team once. In his 20-year career, he was selected to the Pro Bowl 10 times. However, at age 41 and entering his 21st season, does he have enough left in the tank?
Mason Rudolph is a former starter and is a capable backup. They lost Rookie Will Howard and Skylar Thompson to injury, and both are on IR.
At running back, it was addition by subtraction when they jettisoned Najee Harris. This gives 4th year player Jaylen Warren the opportunity to show what he can do. So far, the jury is out as he has rushed 25 times for 85 yards (3.4 YPC). He does lead the team with 6 catches on 6 targets for 108 yards, thanks to a 54-yard catch and run. The 5’8” 215-pound back out of Oklahoma State ran a 4.55 40-yard dash at his Pro Day. He went undrafted and signed with Pittsburgh as a UDFA.
Kenneth Gainwell, signed from the Eagles this offseason, is a scat back and excellent receiver. He has 6 receptions on 9 targets, for just 20 yards. They drafted Kaleb Johnson this year out of Iowa. He was a highly productive back in college, and the team and fans were very excited they drafted him. He is off to a slow start, as are most rookies at this time of year. Johnson is much bigger than I thought he was, standing 6’1” 224-pounds. He ran a pedestrian 5.57 40-yard dash at the Combine.
Pittsburgh traded for DK Metcalf and then traded George Pickens. Metcalf is an upgrade, but the Steelers lack complementary receivers. Alex Austin and Roman Wilson are on the smaller side. I liked Wilson coming out of Michigan in the 2024 draft. He runs precise routes and is very quick.
The Offensive line is young and inexperienced.
LT Broderick Jones (year 3) – #76 among tackles in pressure rate and committed 10 penalties
LG Isaac Seumalo (year 10) – graded #27 among guards but #47 in pressure rate*
C Zach Frazier (year 2) – graded #6 among centers
RG Mason McCormick (year 2) – graded #59 among guards
RT Troy Fautanu (year 2) – missed all but one game with a knee injury
*24 hurries allowed was the #1 most of any guard that started 14 or fewer games
I like their group of young linemen, and as they grow with experience, they could be a very good and solid line, but they are not there yet.
The line are big-bodied players starting with Left Tackle Braxton Jones. The 6’5”311-pound Tackle played for Georgia and was selected by Pittsburgh in the 1st round (14) of the 2023 Draft. In fact, it was the Patriots that traded the 14th pick to Pittsburgh allowing them to take Jones. We could have used him, but we then tool Christian Gonzalez as he dropped into their lap. Through 2 games he has 49 PFF Grade which is 68th in the league. Veteran Isaac Seumalo is entering his 10th season in the league. The 31-year-old, 6’4″, 303-pound Guard played at the University of Hawaii and was drafted in the 2016 Draft by Philadelphia in the 3rd round (79). His PFF Grade is 51.9 good for 68th.
Zach Frazier is a 6’3” 310-pound Center played collegiately at West Virginia. The 2nd-year player was drafted by Pittsburgh in the 2nd round (51) of the 2024 Draft. His PFF grade is a very good 62.5, good for #17 amongst Centers. Rounding out the starters is Troy Fautanu is a player the Patriots eyed in last year’s draft. The 6’4”, 317-pound Tackle out of Washington was taken by Pittsburgh in the 1st round (20). The Patriots were hoping he lasted until their pick at #34. Fautanu missed all but one game last year. His PFF Grade is 51.5 good for 70th. Max Scharping a key backup suffered a knee injury in practice on Wednesday and should be out for a significant amount of time.
The Patriots’ pass rush is #1 in the league with 9, despite Tua Tagovailoa getting rid of the ball so quickly. Both the Patriots and Steelers have given up 7 sacks apiece. I think this will be a big advantage for the Patriots’ pass rushers against a young O-line, especially Fautanu, having to deal with Harold Landry.
Tight Ends are a big part of the Offense for the Steelers. The Patriots have had difficulty covering Tight Ends. Pat Freiermuth is an underrated TE. He has 6 receptions on 7 targets for 59 yards. Former Patriots Jonnu Smith was acquired from the Dolphins and has contributed 9 catches on 10 targets for another 42 yards and a TD.
| Starter | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | |
| LDE | Cameron Heyward | Logan Lee | Esezi Otomewo | – |
| NT | Keeanu Benton | Daniel Ekuale | Yahya Black | Domenique Davis IR |
| RDE | Derrick Harmon Q | DeMarvin Leal | Isaiahh Loudermilk IR | Dean Lowry IR |
| WLB | T.J. Watt | Jack Sawyer | – | – |
| LILB | Patrick Queen | Malik Harrison IR | – | |
| RILB | Payton Wilson | Cole Holcomb | Carson Bruener | |
| SLB | Alex Highsmith O | Nick Herbig | ||
| LCB | Darius Slay | Cory Trice Jr. IR | – | – |
| SS | DeShon Elliott Q | Chuck Clark | ||
| FS | Juan Thornhill | Jabrill Peppers | Miles Killebrew | |
| RCB | Joey Porter Jr. Q | Brandin Echols | James Pierre | – |
| NB | Jalen Ramsey | Donte Kent IR |
Cameron Heyward anchors the down lineman. The 36-year-old was drafted by Pittsburgh in the 2011 draft, 1st Round (31), and hasn’t played for any other team in his 14-year career. His accomplishments are vast, including a 4-time All-Pro 1st team and one 2nd Team. Heyward was selected to 7 Pro Bowl teams. In 2023 Heyward was selected as the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award winner. Heyward recorded a tackle on 19.9% of his run defense snaps, ninth among all qualified defensive linemen. The one thing that has alluded him is a chance to play in the Super Bowl.
Derrick Harmon was the 2025 1st Round (21) selection. The 6’4”, 313-pound DT from Oregon runs the 40-yard dash in 4.95, an exceptional speed. Harmon has been injured and missed the 1st two games. Head Coach Mike Tomlin stated that Harmon would be “Questionable at best”. Harmon was Limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday. Nose Tackle Keanau Benton was the 2023 2nd round pick (50) by Pittsburgh. The 6’4”, 309-pound lineman out of Wisconsin only has 3 tackles in two games. His PFF Grade was 55.2. for #96. Old friend Daniel Ekuale has started in place of Harmon but only has two tackles. This team can be run on, as evidenced by two back-to-back 100-yard games. Breece Hall ran for 107 Week 1, with Justin Fields adding 48 more. Week 2 was better at home, but Kenneth Walker had 105 yards in a blowout win by the Seahawks.
The linebackers are good, and they are the biggest strength for this team. Alex Highsmith has struggled with injuries, missing six games last year, but his 17.5% pressure rate while he was healthy was phenomenal. However, he is hurt again and is Questionable (Ankle) for Sunday. He was a DNP at practice on Wednesday and Thursday. TJ Watt put together another double-digit sack season. The 2017 1st round (30) pick of the Steelers out of Wisconsin, the 6’4” 252-pound Edge player has a resume that other players are envious of. He won the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2020, has been selected 1st Team All-Pro 4 times, 2nd Team All-Pro twice, 7-time Pro Bowl selection, 3 3-time Deacon Jones Award winner, and a Dick Butkus Award selection. Watt was held out of practice for a veteran’s day off on Wednesday and Thursday.
Alex Highsmith is listed as Out for Sunday and Did Not Practice on Wednesday and Thursday. Nick Herbig is listed as his backup. Herbig, 23, is a 6’2”, 240-pound backer from Wisconsin. He was drafted by Pittsburgh in the 4th Round of the 2023 Draft. Patrick Queen is the LILB.
In the secondary, the Steelers have a few injuries. Both RCB Joey Porter Jr and SS DeShon Elliott Did Not Practice on Wednesday or Thursday. Porter is an outstanding DB and another legacy player like Heyward. The Penn State product was drafted by Pittsburgh in 2023 in the 2nd Round (#32). He is a tall corner at 6’2”, 198 pounds with 4.46 speed. Porter played poorly in game one versus NY Jets. He has a 32.4 rating, 128th amongst CBs. Jalen Ramsey, the big acquisition in the offseason, is still a premier player in the league. The 6’1”, 208-pound DB is listed as a Nickel Back, but could be used in Porter’s spot. His PFF Grade is 75.9 good for 16th in the league. Darius Slay is another veteran (34). The 6’ 190-pound CB had a 61.5 PFF rating good for 65th. Elliott played well but is very Questionable for Sunday. He had a 72.3 PFF rating, 28th in the league.
Jabrill Peppers was signed by Pittsburgh and could factor into this game. Juan Thornhill is the FS. The 6’ 205-pound Safety played at Virginia and was drafted by KV in 2019 Draft in 2nd round (63). His PFF rating is 47.1 for a 93rd ranking. Chuck Clark is the Strong Safety that should fill in for Elliott. The 6’ 210-pound Safety also played at Virginia and was taken by BAL in the 2017 Draft in the 6th round (186). His PFF rating is 68.2 good for 37th at the Safety position.
| Starter | 2nd | 3rd | |
| PK | Chris Boswell | – | – |
| P | Corliss Waitman | – | – |
| H | Corliss Waitman | – | – |
| PR | Calvin Austin | Scotty Miller | – |
| KR | Kenneth Gainwell | Roman Wilson | Kaleb Johnson |
| LS | Christian Kuntz | – | – |
On Kickoff Returns, the Steelers’ Kaleb Johnson is averaging 23.8 YPR for a 28th rank.
Punt Returner is Calvin Austin, and he is 5th in the league with a 10.3 Yard Per Return.
Chris Boswell is a very consistent veteran and is ranked 5th in the League with a perfect 5 for 5 on FGs and 4 for 4 on Extra Points.
Former Patriots Corliss Waitman does the punting for the Steelers. He is averaging 51.4 YPP for the 10th ranking.
Uncle Louie of the Uncle Louie Variety Show is a diehard Steelers fan, and he predicts the score to be 19-18 Steelers. You can find his prediction on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/DOtDkABEedt/. If you haven’t seen their show, I highly recommend it, especially if you are of Italian descent. How do you get a score of 19-18?
This week I am taking the Patriots 24-17. The Steelers have a hard time stopping the run. The Jets ran for 182 yards, and Seattle added 117 more. They have given up an average of 31.5 Points Per Game. In the passing game they gave up 218 yards to Justin Fields and 295 yards to Sam Donald.
The Patriots’ Defense has been an enigma. They lead the league in sacks and pressure,s even though Tagovailoa was getting the passes out very quickly until the end of the game. Surprisingly, the Run Defense has been very good, allowing only 58.5 yards per game.
Aaron Rodgers can get rid of the ball quickly and when blitzed can use his veteran skills to tear up a secondary. The Steelers’ Offensive Line is young and not very experienced. Rodgers has one legitimate receiver in DK Metcalf, and I don’t think that will be enough.
The Patriots are playing at home and will be wearing their Red Pat Patriots uniforms. There is no way they are losing while wearing those unis.
From our archive - this week all-time:
April 10 - April 25 (Through 26yrs)
Join 2,000+ fans getting exclusive stats, analysis, and insights delivered straight to their inbox every week. Never miss a play.
