So Mike Tomlin was asked what his biggest takeaway was from Sunday’s 24-22 loss in Cleveland. “I don’t know that we’re looking for takeaways,” Tomlin replied, “We came, we fought, we came up short.”
All points well taken but, for the rest of us, we always looking for takeaways. Here are a few of mine.
Mason Rudolph was better than I expected. Not quite enough to establish himself as Ben Roethlisberger’s clear-cut successor, but Rudolph showed there is something there. It didn’t look that way when Rudolph floated the interception that led to a 24-9 deficit but, unlike what may have happened last season, Rudolph didn’t cave and nearly tied the game. He was accurate on deep throws and showed courage in the pocket. It looks like Rudolph may have a chance to be a capable NFL starter.
The tackles stood up. Going into the game there was genuine concern that Myles Garrett would wreak havoc.
Maybe not to the extent of last season’s helmet-swinging fiasco but Garrett loomed as an unstoppable force. Yet, while not totally invisible, Garrett had little impact. Although they often had tight end help, Chuks Okorafor and Al Villaneuva more than held their own as did the entire 5-man unit, even without Maurkice Pouncey. It bodes well for the playoff rematch.
More Chase Claypool is never a bad thing. Despite playing just over half the snaps, Claypool was Rudolph’s most-targeted receiver. A few of those 11targets were QB-WR mix-ups, but all 5 of his catches went for 1st downs, including a spectacular contested catch for a 28-yard TD. Tomlin said after the game that it was their intention to feature Claypool and give him some confidence going into the playoffs. Mission accomplished. The trick is continuing that mission starting next Sunday.
Alex Highsmith is getting better before our eyes. Since his battlefield promotion following the Bud Dupree injury, Alex Highsmith had shown steady improvement with flashes here and there – with TJ Watt getting all of the attention on the other side of the defense.
Yet yesterday, with Watt watching from his couch 120 miles away, Highsmith was even better. He led the team with 9 tackles, including a sack, and would figure to benefit when Watt returns for the Wild Card game.
The secondary can get by without Joe Haden. The key here is “get by.” Certainly if the Steelers are going to sustain anything in the playoffs, they need a healthy Haden. But the back-ups – especially Cam Sutton - held their own and a with a playoff berth on the line it wasn’t like the Browns were holding anything back. Coverage also contributed to 4 sacks.
They’ll face that same group next weekend, presumably still without Haden who is on the COVID/Restricted list. They should be able to get by.
Matthew Wright is actually all right. Wright does not have NFL leg strength. If he does I haven’t seen it in training camp or practices, Wright’s social media protestations to the contrary. He is not likely to win a game from, say, 53-yards. But in two games filling in for the hobbled Chris Boswell, Wright has proven he can be trusted from a certain distance. He split the uprights twice from 46 yards in Cleveland with a little to spare so maybe up to 50 yards isn’t out of the question. But a healthy Boswell is still preferable.
Watch out for Nick Chubb. This is more of a Cleveland takeaway but, if I’m the Browns, I use more Chubb and less Kareem Hunt. Even without that 47-yard TD, Chubb averaged nearly 5 yards per carry on just 13 of them. Apparently, Hunt is the Browns fourth quarter guy – and he’s a good player - but doesn’t Chubb profile as a better closer?
Oh, one final takeaway? The Steelers could use a takeaway after getting no interceptions or fumbles in the regular season finale.
