Steelers Week 10 Winners and Losers

While the wins aren’t always pretty, a win is a win. This week the Steelers were able to withstand a second-half push by the Packers and finish the game on top, 23-19. This week the Steelers built off the momentum of week 9 and stuck to the running game, which was able to get it done racking up over 200 yards on the ground. Let’s break down the winners and losers from the Steelers' sixth victory of the year.

Winners

RB Jaylen Warren 

From undrafted to the tip of the spear, Jaylen Warren was able to rack up his first 100-yard game in the pros. He is exciting to watch, whether he is getting the handoff from Kenny Pickett or catching the ball out of the backfield, he is always going to make a play. Early in the second quarter, he was able to rumble into the endzone and showcase his balance, which might be his best attribute. There is no question that his presence is uber-important for this offense as he and Harris settle into their respective roles in this two-back system. Warren might be the most undervalued player on the team at this point. Great game from the sophomore. 

TE Connor Heyward 

In terms of playing the game of football, I believe that only the Saints TE/RB/QB Taysom Hill is a more dynamic player than Connor. What can’t this kid do? He will line up and make key blocks on run plays (he’s listed on the roster as a TE but fills the role of FB too) and then turn around and make a 4-yard out into a 13-yard catch. While his 3 receptions for 32 yards might not ‘Wow’ everybody, Heyward is dynamic and becoming one of my favorite players on the team. Connor is proof that the Heyward bloodlines are strong and is shaping up to be the best late-round draft choice for the Steelers in recent years. 

DT Keeanu Benton

Benton may have gone under the radar in the draft as Eagles rookie Jalen Carter was the consensus best defensive lineman in the draft, however, Keeanu is going to make people learn his name. Every week I see him get better and better and this week he was causing fits for a bad Green Bay offensive line. He provided a consistent push up the middle and showed great veteran-like awareness getting his hands up to knock down a pass. Benton had his best game as a pro and looks like the future of the interior D line.

CB Patrick Peterson

While he might have been a loser last week, his veteran savviness is something that yinz can appreciate. A blocked extra point may only be worth 1, but it ended up being the difference in the game. Changing the math of the scoreboard early on put the defense in a much better position to close this one out, forcing the Packers to go for the end zone rather than settle for a would-be game-tying field goal in the waning moments of the game. He also made, probably, the most important play of the game when he broke up a pass and volleyed it right to Keanu Neal. He might have lost a step, but I for one am really glad to see the future HOF'er in the Black and Gold. 

Honorable Mentions: RB Najee Harris, OT Broderick Jones, OLB TJ Watt, OC Matt Canada

Losers

QB Kenny Pickett 

Another stinker for Kenny Pickett. He just still doesn’t seem very confident in his ability. I appreciate that he doesn’t turn the ball over (and I’m sure the defense does too), but I would like to see him take more shots down the middle of the field. He has 3 completions of 10 or more yards between the hashes ALL SEASON. That is a sign of low confidence. I also see him stare down his target often and this allows for defensive players to put themselves in a better position. An example of this was on the near interception to Diontae Johnson on the right sideline. He had Darnell Washington open in front of him for a first down but made his decision early to get the ball to DJ. Once again, we’ve seen KP outplayed by the opposing QB (Jordan Love). It’s not all doom and gloom for the young QB though, as he extended his streak of pass attempts with an INT to 147 (the longest active streak in the NFL) and his ball security has complemented the defensive strength of this team as they continue to find ways to win games. I think we would all like to see Kenny Pickett finally have a breakout game, but there is something to be said for learning and developing while winning games.

DC Teryl Austin 

When it rains it pours. injuries are plaguing this defense, and we are relying heavily on unfamiliar faces. After losing starting MLB Cole Holcomb for the season last week, this week MLB Kwon Alexander tore his achilles and he too is now out for the season. The team will need to look to add depth to the position, but for now, it looks like last year’s 7th-round pick, Mark Robinson, is going to be filling in. Austin is going to have to work quickly in getting Elandon Roberts comfortable as the defensive signal caller if he wants to maintain the success they’ve had through the first ten weeks.

OT Chuks Okorafor

So, some stories have come out on what Chuks said to get himself benched and while I may agree with Chuks, he probably shouldn’t have been the one to speak up. He was on a short leash before they unveiled the rookie phenom Broderick Jones, and it does not appear that he will be back in the lineup anytime soon. The running game has done a complete 180 since he’s been replaced, and it will be a really hard-fought battle to get his job back. Poor performance on the line coupled with poor behavior in the locker room leads me to believe his days in Pittsburgh are numbered.

WR George Pickens

Maybe this week’s game plan was to punish George for his social media antics after last week’s win or maybe Kenny Pickett isn’t getting him the ball. Whatever the case may be, George Pickens is not going to like the outcome. This week he was able to pull in 3 catches for 45 yards on four targets, which is far below the standard that he has for himself. Every week I hope to see him more and every week he and I are both disappointed. It makes sense for his production to dip as the ground game has taken off, but we will have to see if Matt Canada finds a way to get Pickens more involved as the Steelers have their toughest defensive matchup this season against the Browns (ranked 1st in yards allowed) on Sunday. 

Not-So Honorable Mentions: CB Levi Wallace.