I put this list together every week and every week it is more and more confounding as to which Pittsburgh Steelers to put where. In the Steelers 24-17 win over the Los Angeles Rams, there were some guys who played like studs. Mostly. And others who played like duds. A lot of the time.
But finding guys who were either good or bad for an entire game is just about impossible. So when you see this list and you think to yourself, “Hey that guy had some good plays, he’s not a dud” remember this team is all about the Jekyll and Hyde routine when it comes to playing.
Stud - RB Najee Harris
We predicted running back Najee Harris would come out and have a good game and he was the only guy on the team who was playing with heart and we weren’t wrong. Harris ran hard every single play and finished with 68 yards of offense on 17 touches and his first rushing score of the season.
Dud - TE Darnell Washington
With Pat Freiermuth headed to IR, we expected a bigger role for rookie Darnell Washington but he played very little and saw no targets in the passing game.
Stud - EDGE T.J. Watt
Partial credit goes to DC Teryl Austin for recognizing the Rams was going to throw two and three guys at Watt, so he mixed up his role. But it was all Watt to make a play like a defensive back with the key interception that swung the momentum to the Steelers.
Dud - CB Patrick Peterson
We loved the signing of cornerback Patrick Peterson but his limitations have made themselves known. On Sunday he looked a step slow and at times was set up as a deep, center-field safety instead of a cornerback at all.
Stud - CB Joey Porter Jr.
One terrible tackle attempt aside, Joey Porter Jr. once again was the best Steelers cornerback on the field. Porter is fearless and ready for an expanded role.
Dud - DT Keeanu Benton
Thanks to the Steelers decision to go with just two true defensive linemen for much of the game, we didn’t get to see much of rookie defensive tackle Keeanu Benton.
Studs - WRs George Pickens and Diontae Johnson
We lump Johnson and Pickens together here because the narrative is the same for both. Once the offense got going, both guys made some huge catches. And both guys were responsible for foolish taunting penalties as well. I’m not sure either guy is a true No. 1 receiver right now but both had some big catches on Sunday.
A bit of both - QB Kenny Pickett
No single player represents the inconsistency of this team better than quarterback Kenny Pickett. After three quarters where Pickett looked lost and unable to get anything going on offense, he turned it around in the fourth quarter and ended up throwing for more yards than Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford.
