Pittsburgh Steelers: Grade Report for Loss To the New York Jets

The Pittsburgh Steelers clinched a playoff spot, but not in the manner they wanted to following a 22-17 loss to the New York Jets.

The loss drops the Steelers to a first-place tie with the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North.

Pittsburgh’s defense held the New York offense to only 13 points but an opening kickoff return for a touchdown and a late safety sealed it for the Jets.

It was a game of missed opportunities for the Steelers as they nearly had a last-second touchdown but Ben Roethlisberger’s pass was dropped by Matt Spaeth as time expired.

The Steelers cannot dwell too long on the loss as they will have to refocus if they want to earn the second seed and a first-round bye. They play Thursday night at home against the Carolina Panthers.

Quarterback: B-

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 19: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers drops back to pass against the New York Jets during the game on December 19, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

For really the first time all season Ben Roethlisberger masterfully ran the no-huddle offense, taking the Steelers on a 96-yard touchdown drive.

He nearly had an even more impressive drive with just over two minutes to go, but could not connect with Matt Spaeth as time expired.

Roethlisberger completed only 23 of 44 passing for 264 yards and a touchdown.

Though he had a low completion percentage, Roethlisberger missed some potentially big plays when his receivers were held up on plays that could have been called for pass interference.

Season GPA: 2.49

Running Backs: A-

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 19: Rashard Mendenhall #34 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates after running for a touchdown during the game against the New York Jets at Heinz Field on December 19, 2010 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Karl Walter/Getty I

Rashard Mendenhall surpassed his career high in rushing as he carried the ball 17 times for 100 yards and a touchdown. It was by far the best that Mendenhall has run in weeks, hitting the hole quickly and with force.

But it was the plays that Mendenhall were not in that hurt.

Mewelde Moore was tackled in the end zone late in the fourth quarter for a costly safety, though that was not his fault. Moore was a virtual non-factor, as was Isaac Redman, who converted one third down on his only carry of the game.

Season GPA: 2.99

Wide Receivers: B

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PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 19: Emmanuel Sanders #88 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is pursued by James Ihedigbo #44 of the New York Jets during their game at Heinz Field on December 19, 2010 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Karl Walter/Getty Images)

All five of the Steelers receivers had receptions, with Mike Wallace and Emmanuel Sanders leading the way.

Wallace was big in the second half en route to a 102-yard day and Sanders was open for what would have been the game-winning touchdown if Spaeth did not deflect the ball away.

Hines Ward had two big receptions and Antonio Brown had a clutch catch in the final minutes of the game.

It was not enough, however, as the Jets defensive backs were able to knock the receivers off their routes to prevent the big play.

Season GPA: 3.10

Tight Ends: D-

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 19: Matt Spaeth #89 of the Pittsburgh Steelers spikes the football after his touchdown during their game against the New York Jets at Heinz Field on December 19, 2010 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Karl Walter/Getty Images)

Though Spaeth had three receptions and a touchdown, his drops did the Steelers in.

With only seconds to go, Spaeth could not reel in a pass that appeared to be heading for a wide-open Emmanuel Sanders. On the very next play Spaeth was unable to catch what would have been the game-winner on a well-defended pass.

Pittsburgh could have used a healthy Heath Miller in these situations as Spaeth could not come through.

Season GPA: 2.96

Offensive Line: B

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 19: Jason Taylor #99 of the New York Jets celebrates with teammates after tackling Mewelde Moore #21 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the endzone for a safety during the game on December 19, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylva

The Steelers had one of their best days running in a long time, rushing for 147 yards with an average of 5.9 yards per carry. The only downside is that the Steelers did not run the ball more as they were getting chunks of yards at a time.

For the most part, Roethlisberger had ample time to throw the ball, though the Jets did finish with three sacks.

The crucial play that did come down to lack of execution was when Moore was stopped for a safety. This play may have cost the Steelers the game, but it was more of a poor call by Bruce Arians to run that play from their 2-yard line.

It involved Chris Kemoeatu pulling and it needed the left tackle to seal the edge. Instead, Jason Taylor busted through and had an easy stop on Moore.

There was too much going on for a non-athletic line to call that play.

Season GPA: 2.08

Defensive Line: C-

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BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 05: Brett Keisel #99 of the Pittsburgh Steelers stands on the field against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images)

Brett Keisel had another deflected pass, but he and the rest of the line did not do enough to stop the Jets ground attack. Though no individual Jet had a great game, as a team they ran for 106 yards, averaging 3.9 yards per carry.

Though not outstanding, it was enough for New York to move the chains and run the clock out, particularly in the fourth quarter.

Season GPA: 3.06

Linebackers: C-

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 19: Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets is rushed by LaMarr Woodley #56 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the game on December 19, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

James Farrior had the Steelers' only sack and there were only two other near-misses.

Pittsburgh’s linebackers did not generate nearly enough pressure on quarterback Mark Sanchez, whom they should not have had to worry about.

In pass coverage they were a step too late, allowing receivers to pick up yardage on short completions.

It was a disappointing effort after playing so well the past several weeks.

Season GPA: 3.00

Defensive Backs: C-

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PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 19: Braylon Edwards #17 of the New York Jets is tackled by Bryant McFadden #20 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during their game at Heinz Field on December 19, 2010 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Karl Walter/Getty Images)

Sanchez only threw for 170 yards, but it was enough to get the Jets the win.

Braylon Edwards had a good game against Bryant McFadden, catching eight balls for 100 yards, including a 38-yard reception. Santonio Holmes was virtually a non-factor, with only four receptions for 40 yards.

Ryan Mundy did a fair job in place of Troy Polamalu, but the safety’s absence was clearly a factor in the Steelers loss.

Pittsburgh had no defensive back aiding the run defense and Mundy was unable to wrap up Sanchez once for what should have been a sack.

One of the key plays of the game, though, was a 15-yard personal foul call on Ryan Clark after he launched himself into Edwards.

Season GPA: 2.14

Special Teams: F

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 19: Members of the Pittsburgh Steelers special teams including Jason Worilds #97, Ryan Mundy #29, Anthony Madison #37, Stevenson Sylvester #55, and Arnaz Battle #81 make a tackle on Jerricho Cotchery #89 of the New York Jets during

Allowing Brad Smith to return the opening kickoff 97 yards gave the Steelers an immediate handicap.

Overall, both the kickoff and punt coverage units were terrible, as was Steelers punter Jeremy Kapinos, who averaged only 38 yards with one touchback.

Meanwhile, the Steelers were pinned deep in their own territory three times and had nothing going on in the return game.

Shaun Suisham did connect on a 42-yard field goal in his only attempt of the game.

Season GPA: 2.64

Coaching: D+

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 19: Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers watches his team play against the New York Jets during the game on December 19, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

This was a frustrating loss for the Steelers since it was a game of missed opportunities.

The special teams were not ready to play, and after scoring on a 96-yard touchdown drive, Bruce Arians did not allow Roethlisberger to run the no-huddle offense until Pittsburgh was trailing late in the game.

The worst call of the game on offense, though, came on the Moore run out of the shotgun on their 2-yard line. If they wanted to run, Redman was an option to run up the middle or Mendenhall, their best running back, also would have been a better choice.

The defensive game plan was uninspired as well.

Without Polamalu in the lineup, Pittsburgh lacked the aggressiveness that they had displayed over the past three weeks.

It is not as though the Steelers are devoid of playmakers beyond Polamalu. They have them; they just did not come through.

Season GPA: 2.41

Study Up: What Must Improve

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 19: Troy Polamalu of the Pittsburgh Steelers is seen on the sideline during the game against the New York Jets at Heinz Field on December 19, 2010 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Karl Walter/Getty Images)

Pittsburgh needs to have a quick turnaround and beat the Carolina Panthers at home.

In order to do this they will have to find a way to be much more aggressive on defense without Polamalu in the lineup.

On offense, they need to quit holding themselves back by not using the talent that they have. The Steelers have a lot of talent at the skill position and need to use them to their abilities.

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