Aaron Rodgers‘ first sport with the Steelers ended with him cupping his hand to his ear after main Pittsburgh to a 34-32 win over the Jets, the crew that unceremoniously parted methods with him this offseason after simply two seasons.
The Steelers wanted each little bit of Rodgers’ 41-year-old proper arm to go away New Jersey with a win. Whereas everybody anticipated a low-scoring defensive sport, followers had been as a substitute handled to a high-scoring shootout that included seven whole touchdowns from Rodgers and fellow quarterback Justin Fields, who scored three touchdowns towards his former crew.
Rodgers was the most important cause why the Steelers received, however particular groups additionally performed a substantial position within the win. Chris Boswell drilled a game-winning, 60-yard subject aim that adopted an enormous compelled fumble by Pittsburgh’s gunners that arrange Rodgers’ go-ahead landing move to Calvin Austin III early within the fourth quarter that proved to be a key turning level.
NFL Week 1 grades: Aaron Rodgers leads Steelers to wild win and stable mark, Bengals survive ugly opener
John Breech
Now that the mud has settled, let’s check out a few of the attainable overreactions from Pittsburgh’s win over New York.
Aaron Rodgers continues to be elite
Whereas he could not be No. 1, Rodgers continues to be a highly-gifted quarterback who continues to be greater than able to main a crew to victory. Rodgers’ proper arm continues to be lighting fast and intensely correct, his soccer IQ is greater than ever and his mobility continues to be ok to increase performs. That makes him elite, at the very least in my e book.
Rodgers was glorious Sunday on third-down and within the pink zone, two areas that each quarterback must excel in if his crew goes to achieve success. Rodgers was extraordinarily good on the run off of play-action, a nod to his mobility and his fast embrace of Arthur Smith’s offense.
The one factor we did not see from Rodgers on Sunday was his deep ball. Whereas one can assume that he’s nonetheless able to making huge, downfield throws, that can proceed to be considerably of a query till he does it in a sport.
Pittsburgh’s run protection continues to be dangerous
To cite Corridor of Fame coach Invoice Parcells, “You might be what your document says you’re.” Nicely, the document presently exhibits that the Steelers nonetheless have a nasty run protection eight months after surrendering 299 yards in a wild-card playoff loss to the Ravens.
Pittsburgh’s protection was run over on Sunday to the tune of 182 yards and three touchdowns on 39 carries. Breece Corridor did many of the harm with 107 yards on simply 19 carries. Fields added to the carnage with 48 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries.
There are tangible causes, nonetheless, to consider that the Steelers’ run protection will enhance. They had been enjoying with out first-round choose Derrick Harmon and so they misplaced robust security DeShon Elliott to an damage through the first half. This was additionally the primary time Pittsburgh’s new-look protection performed collectively. Not serving to that was the truth that they confronted a Jets offense that was decided to run the ball.
All of that’s true, however till the Steelers will not be capable to shed their label as a poor run-stuffing unit till they’ve an excellent sport towards the run.
The Steelers’ offensive line is in bother
All through the offseason, a number of Steelers franchise icons, together with Corridor of Fame working again Jerome Bettis, mentioned that Rodgers’ success in Pittsburgh will likely be predicated on the offensive line and the way shortly the younger however promising unit comes of age. Sunday was not an excellent begin.
Rodgers was sacked 4 instances on Sunday, which places him on an early tempo to be sacked 68 instances this season if he performs in all 17 video games. That is manner too many hits for any quarterback, a lot much less one that can flip 42 later this season.
The offensive line struggled to persistently defend Rodgers and so they additionally didn’t open sufficient working lanes for Jaylen Warren and the remainder of the Steelers’ backs. Pittsburgh rushed for a meager 53 yards on 20 carries which frequently led to Rodgers and the offense dealing with third-and-long conditions. The Steelers overcame this on Sunday, however that isn’t a longterm recipe for achievement.
It must be famous that the Steelers’ line was dealing with one of many NFL’s higher defensive fronts, led by Quinnen Williams. However Sunday was nonetheless a tough begin for a unit that must be higher if the Steelers are going to perform their aim of profitable their first playoff sport in 9 years.
The Steelers nonetheless want extra pass-catchers
Exterior of Rodgers, the most important takeaway from Sunday’s sport from a Steelers perspective was the play of Pittsburgh’s receiving corps. Rodgers accomplished passes to seven totally different teammates and threw touchdowns to 4 totally different teammates.
As anticipated, DK Metcalf led the way in which with 83 receiving yards. However considerably of a shock was the play of Austin, who caught 4 passes for 70 yards and a landing after lacking a substantial portion of coaching camp with an damage. Austin was slated to be Pittsburgh’s No. 2 wideout previous to the damage, and that seems to nonetheless be the case following Sunday’s efficiency.
Pittsburgh additionally acquired contributions within the passing sport from tight ends Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith, who mixed for eight catches for 43 yards and a rating. Working backs Warren and Kenneth Gainwell additionally bought into the act with a mixed 5 catches that included a landing catch from Warren.
Maybe probably the most stunning contribution within the passing sport got here from Ben Skowronek, who along with catching Rodgers’ first landing move recovered a key fumble that arrange Rodgers’ go-ahead landing move to Austin early within the fourth quarter. His contributions greater than made up for the truth that fellow wideouts Scotty Miller and Roman Wilson had been non-factors on Sunday.
It was one sport, nevertheless it was sufficient to persuade me that the Steelers have greater than sufficient weapons for Rodgers so far as pass-catchers are involved.
Chris Boswell is the NFL’s greatest kicker
Boswell has been largely glorious since he grew to become the Steelers’ kicker through the 2015 season. His efficiency for the reason that begin of the 2023 season has been particularly good as he has made 93.5% of his subject aim makes an attempt over that span.
If there have been any questions as to the place Boswell ranked among the many NFL’s different kickers, that was emphatically answered Sunday, when the two-time Professional Bowler drilled each of his subject aim makes an attempt (together with the game-winning kick) whereas making every of his 4 point-after makes an attempt.
If this hasn’t satisfied you that Boswell is not the NFL’s greatest kicker, Mike Tomlin’s postgame quote ought to do the trick.
“Our kicker is a serial killer,” Tomlin mentioned. “He is bought a low pulse fee. He cannot wait to ship.”
