Following each game in the 2024 Steelers season I will once again be giving you my 10 takes. These aren’t going to be hot takes that are meant to shock the world. This will be instant reactions to the game written while still in that period just following the game when the emotions are high, and the ideas are fresh. Included will be thoughts, observations, queries, and reasons that caused me to yell at the television.
Regular-Season Week 7 vs New York Jets
1. Rusty Wilson – The quarterback switch had us wondering what was going to happen, and it wasn’t pretty during the game’s early moments. A couple throws in the dirt. A few darts that were tough to catch or too low. Three drives that were three and out. There was booing early in the game. Even most of the completions to George Pickens were underthrown. But they were completions. They gave Pickens a chance to make a play. As the game progressed, Wilson became more comfortable. The offense moved with consistency. Overall, a good win and hopefully good start to the Wilson era.
2. Bishop Pickering – Young Mr. Bishop had to be thinking “The Good Lord would never disrupt the best game of my life.” You have to love a defensive back with a short memory. He struggled during the loss to the Dallas Cowboys a couple of weeks ago, but he was solid last week. Tonight was the best showing for Bishop so far with 6 tackles, a tackle for loss and 2 interceptions. He was a yard from a score if not for a significant effort from Davante Adams. Getting 2 picks against Aaron Rodgers, who has one of the lowest interception rates in history, is a feat to behold especially for a rookie. I hope Aaron signed the balls for him.
3. The Man’s a Menace – Welcome back, Alex Highsmith. The Jets showed T.J. Watt the respect he deserved as he was often double team blocked or chipped. Highsmith was the beneficiary of that plan, getting one on one and he provided plenty of pressure. A nice ghost rush to get pressure on one play. A split second from a sack fumble on another play. He was tackled by the LT on another rush or would have had a sack. And his run defense is so good on the edge. He makes this defense so much better.
4. Read Danny’s Lips – It wasn’t hard to guess how Danny Smith felt about the “leverage” call on the blocked extra point. Luckily, it didn’t have an effect on the outcome, but the officials seem to find something random to call against the Steelers on a regular basis. I was going to write about how I like the use of the replay assist to correct calls, even if they aren’t beneficial to the Steelers. Just get the call right. And then they make the leverage call when Minkah Fitzpatrick brushes his hands against two players. Can’t replay assist step in there as well?
5. Remember That Drive – The blocked field goal by Dean Lowry was a turning point of the game. It could be a turning point of the season. The drive that followed was an 11-play, 75-yard drive that ended in a touchdown. The offenses of the past couple of years have produced a drive somewhere between a three-and-out and a field goal after a big play like that. They converted a third down to get the initial first down. A first down they have failed to get often. After that, there were no negative plays, with the Steelers methodically marching down the field for a touchdown. The offense found it’s direction on that drive and maybe it’s direction for the season.
6. Slips to Sticks – The tackling by the defense was spasmodic for the first half of the game. Slipping off ball carriers, arms flailing. I think there was even a Three Stooges bit in there where three defenders collided and all missed the runner. The running back, I’ll say that again, the running back had 98 yards after the catch at one point! I don’t know what was said, if anything, to get them to improve. Maybe they just tackle better with a lead. They were so much better in the second half. If this whole team, offense, defense, and special teams ever plays their “A” game all at the same time, this team could be scary.
7. Run Game Redress – The whole offense seemed to be operating at a quicker pace, but the run game in particular stood out. It seemed there was a concerted effort to get the ball in the hands of the runner more quickly. The runners in turn hesitated less behind the line of scrimmage, a scheme effort to hit the holes quicker before they had a chance to close. Even the toss plays which seemed to drag in previous games were effective. Runners were more decisive and ran aggressively. It’s a positive direction.
8. The Decision on Darnell – I don’t know who finally gave the clearance, but I’m glad we’re finally seeing it. The permission was given to throw the ball to Darnell Washington. Thirteen receptions in 23 games up to this point and he gets 4 in one game. Did you know that he averages 9 yards per reception for his career? Not bad, right? And defensive backs don’t want to tackle a mountain. Even linebacker Quincy Williams, who’s a damn good linebacker, bounced off Mount Washington while trying to make a tackle. Each offensive player needs to be used to their strengths. Do you know those 2nd-and-long runs? Dump it to Washington instead and let him make it 3rd-and-short.
9. Big Play Benton – It’s Week 7 and this might be my first mention of Keeanu Benton. He’s been good, made some plays, gotten some pressure. Nothing spectacular has stood out, but he made two significant plays in the fourth quarter with the Jets trying to cut a two-score game in half. The first, a recognition and break up of a screen pass on 2nd-and-5. Screen recognition is something he has done well in his first season and a half. Then, he knocked down the Rodgers pass on fourth down. They were huge plays to thwart the drive.
10. The Uni’s – That was an important conference win. Back-to-back 30-point games happen so infrequently it has me shocked a little. Wilson could be the missing link to a productive offense. All good things. But I had to mention the uniforms. The block numbers are a thing of beauty. The grey facemasks are the chef’s kiss. Do you know they have never lost a game in those uniforms? That’s not true, but it feels like it. They just give you the warm and fuzzy feeling inside. Can we petition to get those to be the standard?
