Pittsburgh Steelers: Grade Report for Performance Win Against the Buffalo Bills
Did you hear that? That was a sigh of relief coming from the Pittsburgh Steelers as Shaun Suisham’s 41-yard field goal attempt went through the uprights with only 2:19 remaining in overtime to squeak by the Buffalo Bills.
Buffalo came on in the second half as Ryan Fitzpatrick picked apart Pittsburgh with short passes en route to a 265 yard performance, including connecting with Fred Jackson on their longest play of the year, a 65-yard catch and run, which cut the Steelers lead to 13-7.
Jackson may have been the best player on the field with a combined 17 runs and receptions for 163 yards and a touchdown. But it was not enough for the Bills (2-9).
The Steelers, who had dominated the first half, at one point had more first downs than the Bills had yards. The edge in yardage, first downs, and time of possession was only enough to give the Steelers a 13-0 half time lead.
After blowing the 13 point lead, the Steelers put together a nine play, 50-yard drive in which Suisham kicked a 48-yard field goal to give Pittsburgh the late lead.
The game appeared to be all but over after Troy Polamalu intercepted a Fitzpatrick pass inside the Steelers' own five yard line, but Pittsburgh was unable to run out the clock, leaving Buffalo’s Ryan Lindell enough time to kick a game-tying 49-yard field goal with only four seconds to go in the game.
The Bills up and coming star receiver Steve Johnson dropped a wide open pass in overtime, and Buffalo was unable to recover from this mistake.
Pittsburgh (8-3) will need to carry the momentum of this win into Baltimore next week as they try to gain sole control of the AFC North Sunday night.
Quarterback: C+
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After being apart of an offense that put up 35 points last week, Ben Roethlisberger threw for 246 yards and no interceptions but also had no touchdowns in the Steelers 19-16 overtime victory.
Roethlisberger started off strong, connecting with Hines Ward six times in the first half and looked to dump the ball off to his short route options when being pressure.
This all went out the window in the second half where the Bills’ pass rush really got to the Steelers’ quarterback. In all, Roethlisberger went down five times.
One of Roethlisberger’s highlights came not in the air, but rather on the ground when he scampered 18 yards on a third and 17. A defender appeared to have Roethlisberger in his grasp, but Roethlisberger escaped and moved up the sideline for a big conversion.
In a game this close, it was important that Roethlisberger did not turn the ball over. However, more is expected from him than five sacks and no touchdown passes, especially against a two win team.
Season GPA: 2.35
Runningbacks: A-
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Bruce Arians started off calling a great game, running Rashard Mendenhall up the middle where he was gaining huge chunks of yardage at a time. The first drive led to a Steelers touchdown when Mendenhall scored his career best ninth touchdown of the season.
The ground game was slowed throughout, as long developing plays were called and the Steelers settled into running the ball on second downs after incomplete passes.
Mendenhall’s efforts were nearly a waste as he fumbled in the fourth quarter, leading to a Buffalo field goal which tied the game at 13.
Overtime was another story, where Mendenhall was able to grind out yardage to help set up the game winning field goal.
Mendenhall finished with 36 carries for a season high 151 yards and a touchdown.
Isaac Redman was effective as well, picking up short yardage first downs and critical yards in overtime. He had 25 yards on five touches.
Mewelde Moore had a good game receiving and running with 45 yards on seven touches.
Season GPA: 3.06
Wide Receivers: B
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Hines Ward had one of his best games of the season, finishing with seven receptions for 107 yards but was a non-factor in the second half.
This was important as Buffalo took Mike Wallace out of the game as he only had 33 yard receiving as well as a dropped pass.
The biggest drop of the game was by Emmanuel Sanders.
On a third down, Sanders was wide open on an out pattern and had plenty of room ahead of him. The rookie made a rookie mistake, looking to run with the ball before he caught it and let it slip right out of his hands.
Pittsburgh kicked a field goal on the drive but may have scored a touchdown, which would have likely sealed the game for the Steelers.
Season GPA: 3.06
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Tight Ends: A-
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Heath Miller had one of the best receptions of the day on what looked to be an overthrown ball. Miller extended and made a fingertip catch for a first down.
It was just one of his four receptions for 46 yards.
Early on, Miller was used as a short option for Roethlisberger, and it was very effective. As the game progressed, however, Arians went away from this.
Miller also had one of his best blocking games of the year, and David Johnson was effective as well, playing the fullback position.
Without Matt Spaeth in the lineup, Pittsburgh brought in Trai Essex as an extra tight end.
Season GPA: 3.15
Offensive Line: D+
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On the surface, 206 rushing yards and a 4.6 yard average is exactly what you want from your offensive line. However, the line was undisciplined while playing against the worst rush defense in the league.
Pittsburgh’s offensive line allowed five sacks on the day, but of greater concern was another penalty filled afternoon.
Jonathan Scott and Ramon Foster each had penalty calls against them, but it was Chris Kemoeatu who had the worst day.
Kemoeatu had three holding calls against him, including a rather questionable call that negated a 40+ yard run by Mendenhall.
Another holding by Kemoeatu brought back an 18-yard Sanders reception which would have enabled the Steelers to wind down the clock in regulation.
As bad as Kemoeatu was with penalties, that is how bad Scott was against the pass rush.
In addition to drawing a holding call, Scott got abused by Chris Kelsay who sacked Roethlisberger and forced a fumble in overtime.
Season GPA: 2.07
Defensive Line: C
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It was just an average day for the defensive line, as they were in the nickel formation for much of the game.
This is what enabled Buffalo to rush for 74 yards and a 4.4 yard average.
The line was not able to generate any pressure on Fitzpatrick, with the exception of one pressure by Ziggy Hood.
Their depth took a hit once again when Nick Eason went out with an injury.
As long as teams continue to spread out the Steelers defense, they will be able to negate any effectiveness that Pittsburgh’s defensive line has.
To their credit, the defensive line was able to get their hand on several Fitzpatrick passes to deflect them.
Season GPA: 3.01
Linebackers: C-
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The tackling was pretty disgraceful for the Steelers defense, particularly on the 65-yard Jackson touchdown.
The rest of the game was not much better for the Steelers’ linebackers, who were unable to generate much pass rush despite a sack each from James Harrison and James Farrior.
LaMarr Woodley dropped into coverage quite often and was held on at least two pass rush opportunities.
Lawrence Timmons, after a hot start to the season, has been noticeably cool lately.
Then there is Harrison.
Harrison had a forced fumble in addition to his sack but was also called for yet another roughing the passer. It was ruled that he led with the crown of his helmet on one hit of Fitzpatrick. Harrison saw no issue with the play.
"It's not going to change the way I play," Harrison said. "There was nothing wrong about the play. I just felt likeit’s getting to a point where the refs feel like if they don’t make the call they may be in trouble. So if it is or it isn’t a bad play if it’s questionable.’’
Season GPA: 2.94
Defensive Backs: C-
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Another week, another great performance by an opposing quarterback.
It was no surprise that Fitzpatrick would have success but rather that the Steelers could not stop him in the clutch.
Ike Taylor was burned in overtime by Steve Johnson and Ryan Clark and was unable to make it over in time to make a play. If not for Johnson dropping the perfect pass from Fitzpatrick (along with five others), the Steelers would have been heading home with a loss.
Earlier in the game, Taylor had a nice pass breakup near the goal line against Lee Evans and did play an overall solid game.
McFadden was thrown at quite often before leaving the game with an injury.
He was replaced by Keenan Lewis, who drew a bad pass interference call and did not show much that could have impressed the coaching staff.
Neither did Anthony Madison, who saw his first significant action of the season in the defense.
William Gay was the star of the secondary, with four pass breakups including the one that lead to a Polamalu interception. Polamalu had three breakups of his own with one on a big hit in which I fully expected to see a flag in this “new NFL.”
Season GPA: 2.04
Special Teams: B
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The return game did not offer much and neither did coverage units struggled, nearly to the point of costing Pittsburgh the game in overtime. But it was the kicking game that came through in the clutch.
Pinned back at the back of his end zone, Daniel Sepulveda boomed a 55-yard punt which was promptly fumbled by Leodis McKelvin before being recovered by the Bills. However, changed the field position battle in favor of the Steelers and may have saved them the game.
But it was Pittsburgh’s new kicker, Shaun Suisham, who earned the game ball.
Suisham converted all four of his field goal attempts in a windy Ralph Wilson Stadium. Even more impressive, they were all from over 40 yards. He connected from 45, 46, 48, and 41 yards with the latter two breaking the tie in the fourth quarter and overtime respectively.
Penalties and poor coverage nearly did not give Suisham a chance. Keyaron Fox had a terrible personal foul penalty following a return, and the Bills had a 49-yard kick return in overtime.
Pittsburgh was not hurt by these, but it could have cost them the game.
Season GPA: 2.88
Coaching: D-
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After a text book opening drive, the Steelers looked to have the game in hand.
Of course, Arians went away from what was successful, and the Steelers did not see the end zone the rest of the game.
Defensively was not much better. Dick LeBeau’s defense did not generate consistent pressure on Fitzpatrick and instead continued to get burned by quick, short passes.
Two plays stood out defensively.
One was on a third down play where the Steelers sent the house, leaving the middle of the field open for a big gain on a crossing pattern.
The second was a 10-yard cushion late in the game when the Bills only needed to pick up short yardage. They easily got the yards that they needed.
Part of the problem with the pass rush is the defense not timing it properly. Everyone is standing near the line and they get no momentum for their rush and are stonewalled by the offensive line. It is clear that they are no longer confusing teams with their blitzing schemes.
However, what downgrades the coaching grade is a second straight week of double digit penalties.
After setting a franchise record last week, Pittsburgh followed up with 10 penalties for 107 yards. The lack of discipline can be directly attributed to head coach Mike Tomlin.
Tomlin needs to get this issue corrected immediately because Pittsburgh cannot keep winning if they continue to accumulate over 100 yards in penalties.
Season GPA: 2.42
Study Up: What Must Improve
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With a big rivalry game coming up with the Ravens next week, Pittsburgh will have to keep their emotions in check and they cannot beat themselves with penalties.
Baltimore is a challenging opponent on their own, and Pittsburgh cannot continue to have negative plays both on offense and defense as the result of penalties.
Given that the emotions will be running high, there is no doubt that the Ravens will try to bait the Steelers into making mental mistakes next week.
If Pittsburgh can play a more disciplined game, they will have a great chance at winning. However, if they continue to shoot themselves in the foot, they will have a difficult time defeating the Ravens.
Injury Updates:
- Ben Roethlisberger (foot sprain)
- Nick Eason (spained MCL)
- Bryant McFadden (hamstring)
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