Pittsburgh Steelers Week 8 Stock Report
The Pittsburgh Steelers' trip to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs in Week 7 did not go as planned, with the team losing 23-13. Though presented with numerous chances to win, turnovers and third-down struggles helped lead the Steelers to a loss.
Next up are the undefeated Cincinnati Bengals, who travel to Pittsburgh on Sunday. Which Steelers' players are trending upward or sliding downhill in advance of the contest? Here's the Steelers' Week 8 stock report.
Stock Up: QB Ben Roethlisberger
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All signs seem to be pointing to Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger getting back on the field for the first time since suffering a sprained MCL and bone bruise in Week 3 against the St. Louis Rams.
He is no longer listed on the Steelers' injury report and has been a full participant in practice so far this week, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Ray Fittipaldo.
Fittipaldo also reported Roethlisberger could have potentially played against the Chiefs in Week 7, but late-week swelling and inflammation stopped that plan in its tracks. For that reason, Roethlisberger is still cautious about his availability against the Bengals this week, saying "I'm not getting my hopes up about Sunday. I'm getting my hopes up for today."
But, barring any setbacks, it looks like the Steelers will be getting their starting passer back, and not a moment too soon. The Bengals are 6-0 and in control of the AFC North, but the 4-3 Steelers can do much to close that gap by winning Sunday. And to do that, they will need their offense operating at full strength, which means having Roethlisberger under center once again.
Stock Down: LT Alejandro Villanueva
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Left tackle Alejandro Villanueva made his first start of his NFL career against the Chiefs, taking over for Kelvin Beachum, who suffered a torn ACL in Week 6.
Stepping in the previous week, Villanueva did a good job. He gave up zero sacks and looked like a good fit for the job. But the Chiefs were a different animal altogether, and Villanueva struggled. He allowed two sacks, both in the fourth quarter, while Chiefs linebacker Tamba Hali punished him—and by extension, quarterback Landry Jones.
The learning curve is steep for Villanueva, but that knowledge didn't keep him from being disappointed with Sunday's performance. He said this week, per PennLive's Jacob Klinger: "When you come short it's very noticeable. So when you're watching film and the O-line is making great plays and you're the one that's letting everybody down, obviously it's frustrating."
He'll get a chance at redemption Sunday against Cincinnati's defense, with the aid of protecting the far more seasoned—and difficult to bring down—Ben Roethlisberger.
Stock Up Yet Down: RB DeAngelo Williams
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The Steelers are still trying to carve out a role for running back DeAngelo Williams after he masterfully took over for starter Le'Veon Bell in the first two weeks of the season while Bell was suspended by the league.
Against the Chiefs, that role was short-yardage back. But it's not one that head coach Mike Tomlin may be making permanent.
As Steelers Depot's Alex Kozora noted, Williams was indeed the team's short-yardage back, with all four of his carries in Week 7 coming on third or fourth down and short. He only converted two of those runs. Another resulted in Williams dropping the football on a 3rd-and-2 that led to a Pittsburgh field goal, while another was on 4th-and-1 when the Chiefs stuffed him.
Williams totaled only nine yards on his four carries against Kansas City, with his longest run going for six yards. As such, Pittsburgh converted only two of its 10 third-down attempts and one of their two on fourth down. Thus, it's not surprising that Tomlin may be hesitant to use Williams in these situations going forward.
Williams' stock is up, because the Steelers do want to find ways to keep him involved with the offense. But it's also down, because the role they handed him in Week 7 did not pay off as they had envisioned.
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Stock Down: CB Antwon Blake
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There were a number of problems with the Steelers' pass coverage against the Chiefs, but no defender struggled more than cornerback Antwon Blake.
According to Pro Football Focus, Blake gave up five catches on seven targets for 82 yards, 53 yards after the catch and—most crucially—the touchdown to Chiefs receiver Chris Conley that led to Kansas City winning by 10 points.
Blake was mostly tormented by Chiefs receiver Albert Wilson, who caught three of the four passes thrown to him while Blake was in coverage. Those three receptions went for 71 total yards and 41 yards after the catch, including a long reception of 40 yards.
The Steelers may have no choice but to rely on Blake for the rest of the year, given that Cortez Allen is on injured reserve. But Blake needs to better handle his coverage duties, especially with a high-flying Bengals offense coming to town Sunday.
Stock Up: CB Brandon Boykin
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According to Pro Football Focus, Brandon Boykin played only 10 snaps against the Chiefs, giving up two catches on two targets for 13 yards and four yards after the catch, both caught by Kansas City receiver Chris Conley. So why is his stock on the rise?
Because it's possible that Boykin sees his most playing time of the season thus far against the Cincinnati Bengals. Cortez Allen is on injured reserve, and fellow cornerback William Gay did not practice Thursday while he continues to nurse a shoulder injury he suffered in Week 7.
If Gay cannot play this week, that will force Boykin onto the field, likely as the nickel corner. Head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that he's "comfortable with [Boykin] if called upon," per Dale Lolley of the Washington (Pa.) Observer-Reporter.
The Steelers traded a fifth-round draft pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for Boykin's services in the summer. Yet, he's played only 23 defensive snaps this season and has primarily been working on special teams, per PFF. But Boykin could have his first big chance of the year Sunday and an opportunity to prove he deserves to join Pittsburgh's defense more often in the future.
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