The offense looked to be operating in full swing despite missing Le’Veon Bell and Markus Wheaton.
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It was a one-score game when the Steelers lined up for a first-and-10 from their 27-yard line with 12:53 left in regulation.
Without further ado, here are the first grades of the 2016-17 season.
Think about it: The Steelers were without several key offensive players on the road against a 2015 playoff team and still posted 437 offensive yards and five touchdowns. Roethlisberger was very consistent against the tough Washington defensive backs.
In that game, Pittsburgh gained 435 total yards of offense, including 143 rushing yards from running back DeAngelo Williams. He was outstanding on Monday, cruising over 100 total yards and evaporating a couple of Redskins defenders on a attractive touchdown run. Still, no matter what, it was the Williams show. On fourth-and-2 from the Redskins’ 30-yard line, Pittsburgh chose to loft a pass to Brown, who tormented Washington throughout. If Kirk Cousins cannot preform in this offense, he cannot play quarterback in the NFL. Why is Antonio Brown catching so many balls?
Brown caught eight passes on 11 targets for 126 yards and two touchdowns in the Steelers’ blowout win. After the Steelers reach a 24-6 lead in the middle of the third quarter, see how totally the game is in their control – in their own minds. The offense is ridiculous and absolutely loaded at the skill positions – and the Steelers are not even remotely at full strength yet. Outside of getting beat, the Redskins defense did not get any breaks going their way.
The play wasn’t just a missed chance at envious field position. That’s a plus. Grade: A+. Bryn Renner completed 5 of 9 passes for 39 yards while Landry Jones added 29 yards in 4-for-5 passes.
STILL RUNNING: For most teams, losing an All-Pro caliber back like Bell would be lethal. (Still, Thompson did record Washington’s only touchdown of the night.) Grade: B+. Ryan Shazier is a dang freak, man. According to Shazier, who left the game early with a right knee injury, he is OK and ready to go in next week’s game.
Davis had four tackles, three solo, and he was not taken advantage of in the least by a fleet of accomplished Washington receivers. And while they made some steps toward fixing the secondary, it’s still not ideal.
While Pittsburgh’s passing attack clicked early, Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins struggled to connect with his receivers in the red zone, frequently throwing low balls throughout the first half.
After two Dustin Hopkins field goals gave Washington a 6-0 lead after the first quarter, the Steelers scored the next 24 points.
In today’s National Football League, with more and more teams frequently utilizing sets of three or more wideouts, even on rushing downs, it’s not uncommon to see receivers lining up all over the field. Six touchbacks on seven kickoffs and a net punting average of 45.5 yards makes things quite easy on the coverage units. Greg Warren, the long snapper, didn’t muffle a snap.
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The Steelers will now return to Heinz Field to host the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, September 18.
