Overall thoughts before watching. 2nd half was dominant but how much stock can you put in it with Herbert and other studs missing?

Run defense look rough early on and Herbert was finding holes, a little concerning when they face the premiere talent at that spot going forward (something I mentioned last week)

Our run game is REALLY BAD. At least early it was until the Chargers gave up in the 2nd half due to just being worn down. It looks like Najee and Warren aren’t great at this scheme (for some reason we aren’t seeing as many broken tackles this year as we did late last year) and the linemen aren’t being played to their abilities. Although I will say guys like Anderson aren’t great lead blockers either. Will be interesting to see how it’ll play out with Seumalu back.
BTW, Cam Heyward, still a stud. He is a “hot one”

Also, BENTON. He seems fully back. He didn’t really go anywhere but I was concerned after his less than Benton outing in week 1. But he had a tough matchup, we saw Lindstrom destroy Jalen Carter all game when they played.

I’m kinda concerned Queen isn’t making as many plays as I’d want him to make seeing how much they paid him. He’s a negative against the run from what I see on film too.

It’s crazy how much they chipped Watt this game (for good reason)

Steelers twitter has been glazing Dan Moore too much, he’s average at best. Which to be fair, has value.
-He and the rest of the o-line as a unit seem to be better at pass blocking than run blocking

It feels like Arthur Smith has all these cute plays, but the execution is sooooo bad. It’s almost like the barely practice them

If I never see a Najee toss again it’ll be too soon
-okay fine, once a game tops

Spencer Anderson is limited, not a great run blocker on the move
-Glad Mason McCormick got in the game, hopefully more of him, he’s a physical beast
-The more I watch of Anderson the less I love

Just got to Mason McCormick’s entrance at guard, that guy plays until the whistle echos. If he plays a lot going forward we will absolutely see some scuffles.
-They ran him a lot at TE as eligible to mixed results. I’d assume it’s cause Pruitt was out. He did decent but there’s a reason he’s a rookie and Khalil Mack is him
-also if they do this going forward, please call a pass play to help balance things out

I know I threw a little cold water on Muth last week but he’s really doing that Jason Witten getting open against zone that we can ask of him. Just wish the blocking was a bit better still.

The inability for the offense to score touchdowns will hurt them greatly against good teams

For those long time viewers of the Steelers you’ll notice how the 3 and outs of the Chargers offense in the 2nd half made their defense swiss cheese due to fatigue. It’s finally not happening to the Steelers (as much) feelsgoodman

We’ve been singing the praises of Herbig since we started here on the blog but he’s finally getting the shine he deserves.

Cardarelle Patterson still got that juice. To be fair the runs when he was in late in the game were much better blocked than prior ones early in the game.

I do like that Arthur Smith called more inside zone split this game, especially near the end when they were cooking…does he read the blog lol
-probably not or else we’d see more downblocks into power (as long as spencer anderson is not the lead blocker)

Overall the game was a great effort from the defense. The pass rush is the foundation and everything plays so well off this front, both run and pass.

Offense…the offensive line is not the greatest but seeing Fields making quick reads and taking the checkdowns for positive yards is amazing. Only ran into trouble the once where he predetermined his throw and it was right at a defender that got tipped up and eventually picked by Bud Dupree. But his growth has been great, that’s how you win in this league, short quick passes. Would like more deep sideline shots to Pickens though.