Steelers-Browns: Takeaways from season opener

By: Donny Chedrick

The Pittsburgh Steelers are 1-0 after what some say was an ugly win against the Cleveland Browns Sunday to kickoff the 2017 season. Some say if it weren't for a great special teams effort by Tyler Matakevich in the first few minutes (the first blocked punt for a touchdown the Steelers produced since 1998), the Steelers would have suffered an embarrassing defeat. No matter how they did it, Pittsburgh the Browns after 60 minutes of football on Sunday and took their 1-0 record home to Heinz Field for a matchup with the 1-0 Minnesota Vikings. But before that, here are five things that stood out from Sunday's performance.

1. Rust

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Short of Antonio Brown, Jesse James and a few players on defense, every Steeler looked a little rusty on Sunday. Some more than others, of course. Ben Roethlisberger and the offense were out of sync for most of the first half until Roethlisberger connecting with his only reliable wide receiver, Antonio Brown. Martavis Bryant dropped a few passes and missed a few blocks, Eli Rogers hauled in two catches, while guys like Darrius Heyward-Bey were non-existent. Ben Roethlisberger airmailed a few passes, including one for an interception. The defense was shaky as, but we'll get to that in a bit.

2. Good thing AB was on top of his game

Photo creds to SB Nation

If Antonio Brown had a down game on Sunday, the Steelers could very well be 0-1 coming back home for Week 2. Thankfully, he didn't. He played like he always plays - great. 11 receptions on 11 targets are something you don't often see in the NFL, but that's what Brown did Sunday. 11 catches for 182 yards along with one that saved and ultimately won the game for Pittsburgh on the final drive.

3. TJ Watt had a memorable debut

Photo creds to Pittsburgh Post Gazette

Given what his older brother has already accomplished in the NFL, TJ Watt had extremely high expectations coming into his rookie season. Then he just went out and did something his big brother hasn't done in his career - turn in a two sack performance with an interception. Not only did Watt accomplish that; he also led the Steelers in tackles with seven total, six of them being solo and two and a half tackles for loss. Watt had a few missed tackles, but overall, not many people can complain from what they saw in the Steelers' first round pick.

4. The secondary is still shaky

Photo creds to Steelers Wire

Even with the addition of Joe Haden late in the preseason, the Steelers secondary looked shaky at best. Rookie QB DeShone Kizer got sacked seven times but was still able to stay calm and make some good throws against the Steelers defense. Finishing 20-30 for 222 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT, while adding a rushing touchdown, Kizer's receivers had Haden and Artie Burns beat a few times on Sunday along with Mike Mitchell, JJ Wilcox and Sean Davis. That came with the rust, but we should expect the Steelers secondary to get better as the season goes on.

5. Was Le'Veon Bell being punished? 

Photo creds to Sports Illistrauted 

The numbers would certainly say so. Just 10 carries for 32 yards with three receptions for 15 yards is what Steelers all-pro RB Lev Bell finished with on Sunday afternoon. Bell notoriously sat out all of the preseason and returned following the Steelers final exhibition game against the Carolina Panthers. Was this a punishment from Mike Tomlin, Todd Haley and others? Bell is one of the most explosive players in the NFL but was so underused in Sunday's close win that it bodes the question. Bell looked rusty in some spots, but if he gets more reps, he will help the Steelers offense. Hopefully, that will change in Week 2.

The Steelers struggled at times but got what needed to get done and picked up the win. This week the Steelers welcome a Vikings team coming off an impressive win against the Saints on Monday Night Football. We all know the offense looks better at home, so hopefully, that stays true for 2017.