Football
The Pittsburgh Steelers suffered yet another playoff letdown with their 30-6 loss to the Houston Texans on Monday night, and the team’s Pro Football Focus grades reflect what was an entirely underwhelming performance. While there were some defensive standouts and some high marks along the offensive line, the offense, for the most part, was subpar. Meanwhile, the defense couldn’t contain the Texans’ run game or WR Christian Kirk, which led to slot cornerback Brandin Echols registering the lowest grade on the team with a 28.1. Without further ado though, let’s look at the highest-rated Steelers from Monday’s mess of a game.
PFF OFFENSIVE GRADES VS. TEXANS
1. RG Mason McCormick (83.0)
2. LT Dylan Cook (73.1)
3. WR Adam Thielen (72.5)
4. C Zach Frazier (66.7)
5. RT Troy Fautanu (65.2)
PFF DEFENSIVE GRADES VS. TEXANS
1. FS Chuck Clark (89.1)
2. OLB Jack Sawyer (83.2)
3. CB Joey Porter Jr. (79.3)
4. CB Asante Samuel Jr. (76.2)
5. OLB Nick Herbig (74.9)
OL Spencer Anderson had a 77.2 grade, though on just six snaps. It’s not a surprise to see the lack of skill position players receiving high marks on offense, as the run game struggled to get going and receivers couldn’t get open for most of the night. QB Aaron Rodgers finished with a 57.7 overall grade, while RBs Jaylen Warren (61.7) and Kenneth Gainwell (55.8) performed below their usual standards. WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (56.2), DK Metcalf (52.2) and Calvin Austin III (56.8) also struggled.
Pittsburgh’s secondary did a solid job for the most part, outside of Echols and Kyle Dugger (29.8) in relief of Chuck Clark after he exited the game with an injury. Up front, DL Cameron Heyward (73.5) and OLB T.J. Watt (65.8) had solid showings, but it wasn’t enough. DL Keeanu Benton (55.1) received a 90.2 pass-rush grade but struggled against the run with just a 37.7 run-defense grade. Run defense was also the downfall for DL Derrick Harmon, who received a 37.8 overall grade with a 38.7 run-defense grade.
C.J. Stroud played his worst game of the season, but he was able to hit chunk plays to Christian Kirk and the run game, led by Woody Marks, kept the Texans’ offense moving. The run game wasn’t a big threat coming in, but the Steelers continually failed to limit the Texans on the ground, which also led to LBs Malik Harrison (42.6) and Patrick Queen (44.5) receiving low marks in addition to Benton and Harmon.
It was a winnable game for the Steelers, but the Texans’ defense proved to be too much to overcome, and for a team that had success against the run late in the year, Pittsburgh had too many lapses. That’s how seasons end, and the Steelers will have a long offseason to stew over yet another early playoff exit.
Aaron Rodgers, Adam Thielen, Asante Samuel Jr, Brandin Echols, Calvin Austin III, Cameron Heyward, Chuck Clark, Derrick Harmon, DK Metcalf, Dylan Cook, Jack Sawyer, Jaylen Warren, Joey Porter Jr., Keeanu Benton, Kenneth Gainwell, Kyle Dugger, Malik Harrison, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Mason McCormick, Nick Herbig, Patrick Queen, PFF, Spencer Anderson, T.J. Watt, Troy Fautanu, Zach Frazier
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