View topic - Grading the game

[thesteelhammer Profile]

Bucky Brooks gives the Steelers high marks for their win over the Chargers.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/bucky_brooks/01/11/grades.steelers.chargers/index.html?eref=T1

Quarterbacks: Ben Roethlisberger finished 17 of 26 for 181 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. His 41-yard strike to Hines Ward set up Willie Parker's go-ahead touchdown prior to halftime, and his hot start to open the second half (five-of-six passes for 54 yards and a touchdown) helped the Steelers put the Chargers away early. Additionally, Roethlisberger's ability to consistently convert third-and-long situations frustrated the Chargers' defense in the second half. Grade: A

Running Backs: Parker rediscovered his Pro Bowl form by tallying 146 rushing yards on 27 carries. Parker set the tone for the offense by rushing for 52 yards on 10 carries in the first half, including his three-yard score at the end of the second quarter. Gary Russell put the cherry on top of the sundae with his one-yard score in the fourth quarter. Grade: B+

Receivers: Ward and Santonio Holmes repeatedly came up with big plays against the Chargers' secondary. Ward's 41-yard reception late in the second quarter set up a score, and Holmes came up with a few clutch plays on third down. Heath Miller added three receptions for 37 yards, including an eight-yard touchdown reception. Grade: B

Offensive Line: The Steelers' much-maligned offensive line came up with an outstanding performance against the Chargers' front seven. Their ability to create running room for Parker enabled Roethlisberger to riddle the Chargers' defense with an assortment of play-action passes. In addition, the Steelers adequately protected Big Ben in the pocket by only allowing one sack. Grade: A

Defensive Line: Casey Hampton was immovable at the point, as the Steelers held Darren Sproles to 15 yards on the ground. Brett Keisel came up a sack and deflection that resulted in Larry Foote's interception. Grade: B+

Linebackers: LaMarr Woodley overshadowed the league's Defensive Player of the Year (James Harrison) with his stellar performance. The second-year pro sacked Rivers twice and finished with five tackles. Not to be outdone, James Farrior and Foote tallied nine and five tackles respectively while helping the Steelers throttle the Chargers' explosive offense for most of the day. Grade: B+

Defensive Backs: The Steelers' unheralded secondary settled down after giving up a 41-yard touchdown to Vincent Jackson on the Chargers' first series. Although Rivers passed for more than 300 yards, the unit kept the Chargers' receivers in check for most of the game. Grade: B

Special Teams: Holmes ignited the team with a 67-yard punt return touchdown in the first quarter. Though the Steelers' kick coverage unit surrendered a 63-yard return to Sproles, the defense bailed it out by coming up with a turnover on the next play. Mitch Berger averaged 47.7 yards on three punts, and the punt coverage unit came up with a turnover off a muffed punt late in the third quarter. Grade: B-

Coaching: Mike Tomlin deserves credit for getting his guys ready to play, but it was offensive coordinator Bruce Arians who put together a praiseworthy game plan against the Chargers. The Steelers rediscovered their running game, and used a ball control attack to dominate the Chargers in the second half. Dick LeBeau's top-ranked defense lived up to its billing by holding the Chargers to only 15 yards on the ground while amassing four sacks against the league's top rated passer. Grade: B+

Thoughts?

[IhateARIANS Profile]

Bucky Brooks gives the Steelers high marks for their win over the Chargers.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/bucky_brooks/01/11/grades.steelers.chargers/index.html?eref=T1

Defensive Backs: The Steelers' unheralded secondary settled down after giving up a 41-yard touchdown to Vincent Jackson on the Chargers' first series. Although Rivers passed for more than 300 yards, the unit kept the Chargers' receivers in check for most of the game. Grade: B

Thoughts?

IKE TAYLOR= Utter garbage today