Varsity & JV: Winners and losers from the Steelers’ 13-6 win vs. Broncos
Elliott may go down as the best addition of this past offseason. He led the team with nine tackles, including a tackle for loss on third and short to force a Broncos punt. He was flying all over the secondary, as well as inside the box to make stops all afternoon, proving what a versatile weapon he is on defense.
What a time for your first interception. Very similar to Joey Porter against the Ravens a year ago, Trice picked off Bo Nix in the end zone to kill a scoring opportunity, and it would prove to be pivotal to the win. After all Trice has gone through, it was awesome to see him make that play.
Highsmith made an immediate impact early on in the game, picking up a tackle for loss and a sack in the first quarter. He finished the day with four tackles, a sack, and two tackles for loss.
Fields played well, and it’s unfortunate those who didn’t watch the game and just look at box scores will look at his numbers and say he stinks – he doesn’t. His back shoulder ball to Darnell Washington was perfectly placed for a touchdown. He made a really good toss to Pat Freiermuth to get them inside the red zone and set up the score. He uncorked one of the prettiest balls I’ve seen 51 yards downfield on the run on a rope to George Pickens – it was negated by a holding call. He threw a touchdown to Pickens to close out the first half – it was negated by offensive pass interference on Van Jefferson. The offense slowed down quite a bit in the second half, but if you take those negated plays into consideration, Fields goes 15-of-22 for 178 yards and two touchdowns.
Similar to Fields, if you take away penalties out of his control, he has four catches for 90 yards and a touchdown. He was awesome and had the NFL’s best cornerback in shambles in the first half.
The rookie has still yet to give up a pressure in two games. The Steelers have their center of the future after a long-term rotating door after Maurkice Pouncey retired.
Once again, a very good receiver was put on Porter Island. Per PFF, Porter allowed just two catches for 26 yards on the day after allowing one catch for seven yards in Week 1 – the definition of lockdown cornerback.
Minkah was everywhere and taking away passing lanes. He was also second on the team with seven tackles. Through two games, he is flying all over the field and looks like the Minkah of old – now he just needs that first interception.
Another good day for Watt. He had a sack, which gives up 98.5 for his career, and also had two tackles for loss.
Three penalties on one drive, one of which negated a 51 yard completion that could have led to another touchdown for the Steelers. I’ve been vocal in defending Jones, but that was a pitiful performance.
