A 9-2 start probably didn't look likely for most Steeler fans after a loss in Chicago in week three, and definitely didn't look likely after a pitiful loss against Jacksonville two games later. But Pittsburgh in a big way with six straight wins. A handful of AFC opponents are up next for the Steelers, with two AFC North matchups before the big showdown with New England December 17. Before that, let's take a look at five things from the Steelers' dramatic 31-28 win over Green Bay at Heinz Field.
1. Antonio Brown is the best in football
 |
| Photo creds to SI.Com |
Being one of the smaller guys in the NFL and one of the smallest on the field when he plays, Brown is without a doubt the best wide receiver in the league. Hauling in another 10 receptions for 169 yards and two touchdowns Sunday night, as well as having one of the best catches of the year on the drive that eventually won Pittsburgh the game, it was another day at the office for AB. Although it just so happens that Julio Jones had a huge day, Brown has been the most consistent receiver in football over an incredible five-year run, in which each season has resulted in over 100 receptions and 1,000 yards, while being an All-Pro player each of the last three seasons. His numbers will stack up with that of Jerry Rice, Randy Moss and others by the time he's done, and Brown could even surpass some of the greatest this game has ever seen.
2. Secondary Struggles
 |
| Photo creds to FanRag Sports |
A week after Packers' backup quarterback, Brett Hundley threw three interceptions in a home game against the Ravens, he responded with the best performance of his young NFL against t Sunday night. Hundley exploited Pittsburgh's young secondary on several occasions en route to a three-touchdown performance. For the most part, the Steelers have played well against the pass. They have one of the best pass defenses in football, but this game was an outlier, and hopefully not a trend. With Tom Brady coming to Pittsburgh in a few weeks, the secondary needs to mold into top shape.
3. Is Ben back?
Yes, he had two interceptions Sunday night, but the last few weeks, Ben Roethlisberger has looked like that QB Pittsburgh knows and loves with a pair of four-touchdown games with his passes having more zip and finesse than Steeler fans have seen all year. If Ben is indeed back, it comes at the right time with the Steelers in the midst of a six-game winning streak and the New England Patriots coming to town in a few weeks with the first seed in the AFC potentially on the line.
4. Where is James Conner?
 |
| Photo creds to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |
Not to act like a whiney fan, but the emotional fourth-round pick has barely seen the field this season. Getting under five snaps a game has turned Conner into one of the more inexperienced rookies on the Steelers' roster. Le'Veon Bell has always been known as a guy to gather a lot of carries, when healthy, but it is rare to see another running back on the field when the Steelers have the football. A lot of people hoped for Bell and Conner to be a one-two punch of sorts, but that hasn't happened this year. Conner has not had more than five carries in any game this season, which seems excessive for what he's shown he can handle. Giving Bell some breathers here and there isn't a bad thing, and it will only help his durability down the line.
5. Cam Heyward is an All-Pro
 |
| Photo creds to PennLive.Com |
If it wasn't apparent for most of the season, Heyward is having an All-Pro caliber season. With nine sacks, Heyward is having the best year of his career that began in 2011, and there are still five games left to play in the regular season. Heyward has four sacks in the past two games, and he has looked like the dominant veteran on the defensive line the Steelers were hoping for, especially after suffering a season-ending injury in 2016. He is a veteran leader on the defense, and he has played like it this year, and Heyward deserves some laurels.
Week 13 will feature the Steelers in a tough divisional game in Cincinnati on Monday Night Football. Pittsburgh has a commanding lead in the AFC North and is inching closer and closer to clinching the division title once again.
No comments:
Post a Comment