Pro Football Focus has released their initial player grades for the Pittsburgh Steelers following their 30-27 win Sunday over the Cleveland Browns and they do not include any big surprises.
On offense, Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell (4.7) graded out as the best player on offense. Bell produced 197 yards of total offense via 21 rushes and six receptions against the Browns. It was the best performance of his young career and his 38-yard touchdown run in the first half was a thing of beauty,.
As expected, wide receiver Antonio Brown (2.3) and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (2.2) also graded out well. Brown caught five passes for 116 yards and a touchdown all in the first half while Roethlisberger had a career-high 278 first half passing yards against the Browns.
Tackle Marcus Gilbert (-1.8) and tight end Heath Miller (-1.7) graded out as the two worst Steelers players on offense. Gilbert gave up two sacks in the game while Miller was obviously docked for his blocking in the run game.
Defensively for the Steelers, cornerback William Gay (3.3) led the way. Gay, who only played 16 snaps on defense against the Browns, was credited by PFF has having three passes defensed in the game. The Steelers nickel cornerback had two big plays during the Browns final offensive possession that set the stage for the Steelers win.
Despite him registering a first half sack against the Browns, linebacker Jarvis Jones (-3.1) graded out as the Steelers worst defensive player, according to PFF. Inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons (-2.8) and cornerback Ike Taylor (-2.8) also graded out poorly.
The all-22 tape from the Steelers game against the Browns will not be released until Wednesday, so it will be interesting to see how much fluctuation there will be in several of these grades.
