The Good and Bad of Preseason Week 3

[Steeler Nation]

The Pittsburgh Steelers returned to Heinz Field on Saturday night for their third preseason game versus the Detroit Lions. Aside from this being the first time since 2019 with a full crowd in the stands, this was also Ben Roethlisberger’s preseason debut. When the final whistle blew, the Steelers were victorious with a final score of 26-20. But with that said, there were both good plays and bad plays that helped in determining the outcome. Fans saw different squads in each quarter and each of those had their own highlights. Therefore, let’s get into the good and bad of each quarter:


QUARTER 1: STEELERS LEAD 14-0

GOOD: Roethlisberger looked the best we’ve seen since week 12 of last season. After going three and out on their first possession, Roethlisberger led the offense down the field twice and threw a pair of touchdowns to rookie Pat Freiermuth. Included in those scoring drives we saw Najee Harris rip off strong runs and pass plays, along with a nice deep Roethlisberger completion to Diontae Johnson to set up the offense in Detroit territory on a third down play. Defensively, the starters looked strong, allowing no points and only giving up 16 yards to the Detroit offense.

BAD: Although the offense put up 14 points, this came with some glaring mistakes. On the first play from scrimmage, offensive tackle Chukwuma Okorafor was called for a false start. In that same drive on a third-and-four conversion, Roethlisberger did what we’ve known him to do in scrambling, buying time to get the receivers into space, then throwing a great pass into the body of Eric Ebron, only for Ebron to drop it. What would have been a 20-yard gain with a fresh set of downs was a fourth down and Pressley Harvin III’s first appearance of the evening.


QUARTER 2: STEELERS LEAD 20-0

GOOD: Roethlisberger’s night was finished after the first quarter and Mason Rudolph took over in the second. Although he led two scoring drives, these resulted in Chris Boswell field goals instead of extra points. But with that said, Boswell looks good and fans have no reason to be concerned of the kicking game. JuJu Smith-Schuster stayed in the game, along with the other starting wide receivers, and also looked ready for the season. On the other side of the ball, the defense still looked strong and new addition Joe Schobert looked decent in his first game in the black and gold. The defense only gave up 19 total yards in the second quarter, 35 yards in the entire first half, and no points allowed.

BAD: Although we saw two scoring drives by Rudolph, he definitely left a lot of points on the field. In the first drive, we saw a nice balance of run and pass plays, getting the ball down to the Detroit 17-yard line. Then on third-and-two, instead of getting the ball to a shallow Johnson crossing the field, Rudolph throws a deep incompletion to Smith-Schuster who was unable to make the play with heavy coverage. In the second drive after a false start by Ebron on the first play, the offense was only able to move the ball two yards. The drive continued however after the offense was bailed out by 15-yard facemask against Detroit on a third-and-nine incomplete pass play. To finish the drive, the offense had three shots at the endzone from inside the 5-yard line, only to throw three incomplete passes and settle for another Boswell field goal.

QUARTER 3: STEELERS LEAD 23-0

GOOD: The defense opened the half still looking solid, despite the bulk of the starters taking the rest of the night off. After forcing the Detroit offense to punt after a three-and-out drive on the opening possession, rookie receiver Mathew Sexton continued to make his case for a final roster spot. Sexton fielded the Detroit 60-yard punt at the Steelers’ 5-yard line, ran across the field waiting for blockers, then cut up-field resulting in a 47-yard return and setting up the offense at the Detroit 47-yard line.

BAD: After holding the Detroit offense at bay, the Steelers defense began to break as the third quarter dragged on. Robert Spillane continued to look lost on almost every play and the defensive line had trouble finishing plays in the backfield. One glaring play was a big missed sack on a second-and-eleven play, where the defense forced Detroit quarterback David Blough about 9 yards back, only to miss several tackles and giving up a 13-yard run. As the drive continued, the defense looked more and more winded and ended the quarter with a Roughing the Passer penalty, setting up Detroit with a first-and-goal from the 7-yard line.

QUARTER 4: STEELERS WIN 26-20

GOOD: With the fourth quarter being Dwayne Haskins’ only appearance of the night, he did find a way to put points on the board, albeit in the form of another Boswell field goal. With that said, the scoring drive consisted of a Haskins 10-yard run on a third down conversion and a 30-yard nice catch-and-run by Ray-Ray McCloud to get into the redzone. To close the game, the offense ended the game with possession of the ball after a 19-yard gain by Trey Edmunds and short runs by Jaylen Samuels.

BAD: The defense looked exhausted the entire second half, let alone the fourth quarter. They gave up three touchdowns in the final quarter and had trouble closing out the game. With about seven minutes left in the game, the defense forced a Detroit second-and-thirty play after a couple of Detroit penalties. Then on an incomplete pass, Shakur Brown got called for defensive holding, resulting in a new set of downs, which ultimately led to a touchdown. Then on the following Detroit possession, the defense gave up a 31-yard play to Tom Kennedy on a fourth-and-two play. The defense had multiple opportunities to close the door on Detroit, but found ways to beat themselves.

What do yinz think was good and bad about the game? Let us know in the comments below!

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[FordFairLane]

QB-
Roethlisberger just showed us why replacing a HOF QB will not be easy. He was 8/10 but should have been 9/10 after showing us some vintage Big Ben with a nice scramble to evade defenders while throwing a dart between the 8 and the 5 of Ebron just to be dropped. He then went to lead two TD drives and concluded them with a nice pump fake to hold the back to an open Freiermuth and then another TD bullet which glue hands Pat hung on to.

Rudolph had some nice drives but once again seemed to die in the redzone. He seems to get a little to excited in the red zone and was off on a couple of passes by inches. But in the NFL that is the difference between TDs and FGs. He did try to force a ball which luckily was dropped. Rudolph is going to succeed above the shoulders in order to make it in the NFL. He's not Ben and won't be a guy dazzling you with acrobatic moves.

Haskins didn't get much opportunity and that is by design. He isn't close to Rudolph's level at this point so he gets mop up duty while the guys who won't be playing next week got the majority of snaps. He again looked average. Made a nice scramble with his feet but lots of dump offs and one of them went big for Ray-Ray. He had an open Anthony Johnson that would have been 6 I'd of liked him to hit but did not.

Dobbs is all but off the team. I would guess next week it is all Haskins and Dobbs. But Josh is going to have to go off to make the roster. He is likely showcasing for another club at this point and to be honest he has looked good enough to make an NFL roster. He either waits for an injury or a team who doesn't like their QB depth but my guess is unless he decides to work for NASA he'll be on a club.

RB-
Harris had a nice catch and run. Took a 4 yard pass and turned the corner with a nice stiff arm and then using a stumbling defender as a blocker.

Ballage again looked really good. Fast, power, feet, hands. I think he ends up the backup and up.

McFarland didn't impress this week running. He did have a couple decent gainers receiving. He played early with Rudolph as well so I feel he is making the club.

JaySam like Dobbs is being shown the door. His only chance to make the club is if the team decides to move on from Snell who has been MIA this preseason.

WR-
Diontae made a nice deep catch to an ball that was a little under thrown. Again his hands have looked good so far this preseason. Maybe he can help Ebron.

JuJu looks to still be used as a dump and run receiver. I was hoping they'd try to get him back to his 2018 and before form. But he had some nice YAC yards and is a nice safety valve for Ben.

Washington got involved early and I think that was designed to help appease his disgruntled attitude as I assume there will be injuries and we will need him.

Ray-Ray had a nice sideline scamper. He likely makes the club.

Anthony Johnson was open for a big play but couldn't connect.

Mathew Sexton had a nice return but I don't ever see him on the field for more than special teams. With that speed and what he was able to do in college I'd love to see him out running routes. But part of me feels we are trying to stash him on the PS.

TE-
Ebron probably just got demoted to #2. Pat caught everything this preseason and Eric started off like he ended last year dropping easy passes. He also got lots of playing time later in the game either as reps the coaches think he needs or as punishment for drops.

Freiermuth is definitely the future. He still needs work blocking but he seems to have the will. I feel we start hearing a lot of Muuuuuuuth chants sooner than later.

Rader imo is our #3 TE this year. He seems to be solid blocking, catching and special teams.

Gentry hasn't played bad but it is a game of numbers and unless we keep four tight ends he is likely the odd man out.

OL-
Dan Moore quietly might end up being our best draft pick this year. He seems to be able to play multiple positions on the line and IMO might end up taking either Chuks or Banners spot next year while playing swing tackle this year.

Dotson got first team reps and showed his run blocking prowess right away driving guys back off the line. If I am Harris I find 69 and follow.

Green had his best game from what I saw. I feel we have some growing pains with him but at the end of the day he has the athleticism needed and feet to pull.

Turner to me is just a guy. I get the Ramon Foster vibe from him where he won't hurt you but he's nothing special upfront.

Banner doesn't move the pile like I'd like to see. For a big guy seems a little too finesse. Maybe he's saving it for the regular season.

Chuks had a better game and I am hoping he settles in at LT.

JC played very good and I think has settled in as the backup center.

DL-
Our starters got pushed around a little in the beginning but settled down. I feel we will miss Tuitt so hopefully he is back this week.

Loudermilk is very aggressive and has a hot motor. His play reminds me of Highsmith last year. A little out of control but once he puts it all together we should get a good football player.

This seems to be a deep position an with Tuitt unavailable so far I wouldn't doubt we try to keep 7 and sneak another player on the PS.

OLB-
Highsmith and Ingram both looked good. I was worried about depth before Ingram but hopefully TJ gets signed and we can have those three rotate.

Roche I feel has locked up a spot on the 53. Has a nice first step and can bend around the end.

CB-
Pierre I feel comes in on nickel to play outside and Cam goes to slot. Good for him an UDFA to make an impact.

Shakur Brown looked good and might take Brooks spot. A guy who was handed the nickel spot early on might not make the team.

Haden looked midseason form.

S-
Fitz and Edmunds might end up being a top tandem this season. Edmunds looks like he took another step forward.

Norwood I think makes the team as a backup this year.

ST-
Harvin imo won the job. Though Berry probably had his best camp in years I feel we finally yank the band-aid and go with the young guy.

Bos looks good.

 

[CoolieMan]

FRY ER MUUUUUUUTTTTTTHHHHHHHHHH

 

[Drink IRON City]

nice write up Ben, thank you.


I still see Dan Moore moving people backwards.

Pressley Harvin is refreshing and powerful, should beat out current punter.




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