PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The hype was huge heading into what many believed to be the game of the week only to be one of the bigger blowouts of Week One. It’s not that Kenny Pickett and the Steelers are going to change everything.
“We just didn't play well,” Pickett said Wednesday. “We didn't execute it near what we need to be. So, you know, keep the preparation the same. I thought the preparation for the week was good. Just about going out there, playing well, and executing.”
Pickett would have wanted a few plays back, saying if they hit a couple of plays early and put some pressure on San Francisco it would have been a different game. Obviously they didn’t, starting the game with five consecutive three-and-outs. The second-year NFL quarterback said he made good decisions is was just inaccuracy of his throws and the execution.
In order to build some momentum for the offense, you need to get a first down and because they didn’t until under two minutes to play in the first half, there was no flow. It’s also why they couldn’t get anything going with the run game. They had limited success, got behind the chains and then behind the scoreboard.
“We didn't play nearly as well as we've been playing, and how we can
play,” Pickett said. “So, it is what it is. It's a 24-hour rule. Same as if you win. You can't celebrate too long. You can't dwell on a loss too long. You don’t want it to beat you twice, so that's the that's the main takeaway.”
Pickett said he’s excited to get back out there on Monday, but said he felt good going into the Niners game as well. He doesn’t have doubts they will be able to turn it back to more of the team we saw in the preseason against Cleveland.
“Confidence in myself, the team, the guys around me,” Pickett said. “You know, I know everyone's going to answer the bell. We're going to come out and
play on Monday. So, love the energy we have around here. Love the practice that we had today. Everyone's putting their best foot forward this week. So, it's just about going out there Monday night, competing and winning.”
No Diontae
There are players who are ready to get an opportunity with Diontae Johnson out this week and potentially for a month, like Pickett’s buddy Gunner Olszewski, who didn’t dress for the game Sunday. Calvin Austin and Allen Robinson got targets against San Fran, they likely will get more. Same potentially for the tight ends-Pat Freiermuth, who only caught one in game one and Connor Heyward who caught two late in the game.
“Obviously, you know Diontae is a really good player, does so many good things for us, and was really kind of trending in the right way,” Pickett said as Johnson could miss up to a month. “I thought we had a great offseason and were doing great things in the game.”
“You know, just now it's you know, everyone's got to step up and pick it up. It can't just be one guy. But you know, I had a ton of reps with everybody. So, I'm confident they'll go out there and execute.”
Pickett targeted Robinson a team-high eight times followed by seven for George Pickens, six for running back Jaylen Warren and also for Austin. In his NFL debut, Calvin caught all six passes for 37 yards.
“He does a great job,” Pickett said of Austin. “He worked so hard, always where I needed him to be, so I think that's why we have success working together and I'm excited to get back out there on Monday and continue that success.”
Pickett will also look to lean more on Pickens, not just because his Instagram account liked a comment about getting him the ball more. Pickett knows the second-year receiver is his best play-maker.
“You know, he'll naturally get more as it goes,” Pickett said. “It just kind of shook out that way. Like Cal (Calvin Austin) had a lot. A-Rob (Allen Robinson) had a good amount. I mean, he still had his touches, but we obviously want to get him more involved. So, that'll continue to be a challenge as we go.”
Browns ain’t the Browns
Also a challenge, facing a Browns defense than seems re-energized and re-organized under new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. Cleveland held the Bengals to six first downs, 75 yards rushing, 67 yards net passing, 2 of 15 on third downs and one field goal.
”Yeah, a ton of respect for those guys and you know, great defense, great team,” Pickett said. “You know, held a really good offense to three points. So obviously, it's a tall order but you know, we got to execute, play well. I'm confident we can go out there and put points up on the board.”