I made some fearless Steelers predictions for the Hall of Fame Game against the Cowboys. So how did I do?
Mason Rudolph will throw an interception but also a touchdown – to Anthony Johnson. Wrong.
Neither happened. Rudolph was 6-9, 84 yards, including a 45-yard completion to Chase Claypool but no points, in part because the back-up kicker isn’t any good.
Dwayne Haskins will lead a late second-quarter scoring drive, hitting Kevin Rader for a TD. Wrong.
His only second quarter drive fizzled.
Rader will have a big night (4-5 catches), since he is the only healthy tight end. Wrong. Just 1 catch for 15 yards, plus Zach Gentry was able to play.
Josh Dobbs will slice and dice Dallas’s down-the-liners in the second half, including a TD to Rico Bussey. Partial credit. Got into game later than I anticipated, 4-6, 37 yards, did throw for a TD – but to a different down-the-liner – to Tyler Simmons
Kalen Ballage will lead the team in rushing. Almost. He ran for 19 yards, Jaylan Samuels 20 and Najee Harris 22. But Ballage’s 3.8 average was better and he bulled his way for a 4-yard TD.
Anthony McFarland will have the longest run – on a “Matt Canada play.” Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.
Dan Moore will make a nice block to spring Najee Harris for a good gain but will also give up a couple of sacks. Wrong. But, at least to the naked eye - he didn’t completely suck.
Kendrick Green will have a good game. Correct, I think, but overall the running game was still substandard.
Alex Highsmith will sack Garrett Gilbert. Correct! He also had 2 TFLs and was the Steelers best player.
Cassius Marsh will sack Ben DiNucci . Correct, sort of. Originally I had Quincy Roche sacking DiNucci but switched to marsh because I figured DiNucci would be Dallas’ second QB. So, instead, Marsh sacked Cooper Rush and Roche did get to DiNucci.
Ulysees Gilbert will lead the team in tackles. Wrong. SS Miles Killebrew had 6 tackles, Gilbert was in on 3 tackles and wasn’t terribly impressive.
Justin Layne will get beaten for a touchdown. Wrong. He was called for interference but also broke up a pass and caused a fumble.
James Pierre will pick off a pass; so will rookie Tre Norwood. Wrong. But both players did break up passes and Norwood blocked a field goal.
Matthew Sexton with rip off a long punt return, maybe for a TD. Correct! His 36 yard return set up the Ballage TD.
Neither punter will look better than the other. Incomplete. Jordan Berry didn’t play and Percy Harvin III looked pretty good, averaging 45.8 yards per punt, 3 of 4 inside the 20, one at the 1-yard line.
Ben Roethlisberger will get plenty of TV time – during a charming interview with Erin Andrews. Correct! It looked dicey when Tom Rinaldi was on the Steelers sideline before the game but when he was dispatched into the stands to interview Hall of Famers that left Erin for Ben.
The game will not to go overtime. Correct. Easiest prediction of the night.
Overall Grade: C- Hey, it’s the preseason for everybody.