Report Card: Grading the Steelers Week 16 loss to the Jets - Behind the Steel Curtain, Behindthesteelcurtain.com

TheSteelershad a chance to inch closer to the postseason and their loss to theNew York Jetswas debilitating. Now they need to beat the nearly unbeatableBaltimore Ravensand hope Tennessee falls to Houston. The loss at MetLife nearly snuffed out the Steelers ’playoff life.

For Some reason, I’ve been given the responsibility to rate the performance of the squad. It’s not easy, but I’ll give it a whirl. Despite my less than prestigious BTSC teaching certificate, I have to issue the necessary disclaimer. You know the story; of course, I’m not a football coach, or a teacher, but I play one in blogs and podcasts. All week, I had certain expectations of this contest, then the game happened and judgments abound.

Grading games is an extremely difficult and somewhat thankless task. While the coaches ’grades, of course, are what counts the most, the media and fans can’t help but evaluate as well. All letter grades are simply based on the eye test of somebody watching at home. In this case, it’s my feeble opinion.

So let’s take a look at BTSC’s early perceptions:

Offense: F

I am not blaming Randy Fichtner and the game plan this week. Injuries and ineptitude were the culprit. Duck Hodges and the Steelers offense were pretty bad the first half.Mason Rudolphwas slightly better, but then got hurt. Hodges was / for 100 yards and two interceptions. Rudolph was / for 170 yards and a gorgeous touchdown throw to Diontae Johnson at the end of the half. Johnson was very good with eight grabs for 81 yards and that score, whileJames Washingtonhad five catches for yards.JuJu Smith-Schusterwas mostly anonymous. The offensive line were repeat offenders giving up four sacks andMaurkice Pounceywas suspect on snaps again. The running game by committee concept is not really working. Bennie Snell Jr. killed momentum with his 2.0 ypc. James Connerwas running well, but another injury sidelined him. Injuries to Pouncey and Rudolph hurt a lot too. If the offense could score just a little more, they would have had a better chance. Instead, the Steelers are on the brink of elimination.

Poll

How would you rate the Steelers offense after their performance against the Jets?

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           A

(2 votes)



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           B

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           C

(3 votes)





************************************************************************************************** (%) *            D

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(%)            F

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        418 votes total

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Defense Defense: B

Sure the Steelers defense gave up points to the Jets. But they kept them in most of the game. They could not get toSam Darnoldmore than twice, but TJWatt and Bud Dupreedid both get sacks. The defense limited Le’Von Bell to under – yards total and a weak 2.9 ypc, but they still folded at crucial times to allow field goals. They were pretty good, but they needed to be great.

defeat to the Jets? “,” id “: (, “closed”: false, “votes”: (, “options”: [{“id”:2824591,”title”:”A”,”votes”:24},{“id”:2824592,”title”:”B”,”votes”:204},{“id”:2824593,”title”:”C”,”votes”:111},{“id”:2824594,”title”:”D”,”votes”:20},{“id”:2824595,”title”:”f”,”votes”:10}]} “data-cid=” apps / poll – (_) _ (“>) Poll



What grade would you assign the Steelers’ defense after the 16 – 14 defeat to the Jets?



6%

           A

votes)





(%)            B

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2%

f

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**************************************************** (Special Teams: C –

) (************************************************ Chris Boswellas always was pretty darned good. But I don’t know what happened to Jordan Berry. He was pretty bad once again. Nothing else was very special at all.

I’m not wasting time on a Special Teams poll.

Overall: D

When you hold a team to points, you should be able to win that game. The defense gave them every opportunity to win, but the offense was beyond dreadful. This is not a playoff team. At this point, they are not going to get in.

**************** (Poll)

What overall grade is most appropriate after the Steelers 16 – (loss to the Jets?)

(1 vote)

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           B

(1 vote)



6%

           C

**************************************************************** votes)

(%)            D

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(%)            F

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        418 votes total

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* Valedictorian Diontae Johnson

Honor Roll:

TJ Watt, Bud Dupree, James Washington, Mark Barron

Requires Improvement:

Maurkice Pouncey, Devlin Hodges, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Jordan Berry

Now it is your turn to play teacher. Use the polls and the comments section below. We can compare notes in the teachers lounge.

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