Pittsburgh Steelers’ soccer is again. So are our weekly winners/losers lists. The highlights and lowlights from the workforce’s preseason opener 32-25 win towards the Seattle Seahawks.

WINNERS

Mitch Trubisky – Trubisky fantastically ran the present the primary two drives of the sport. He displayed mobility and accuracy on the transfer, discovering a large open Gunner Olszewski to his left on the Steelers’ opening possession. Trubisky additionally prevented a would-be sack for a brief scramble. Ben Roethlisberger’s lack of mobility was apparent but it surely’s good to see a quarterback be capable of create along with his legs in a state of affairs like that. Trubisky didn’t simply maintain his head above the water. He’s basically cemented his beginning spot within the common season.

George Pickens – What followers noticed Pickens do on his 26-yard TD is basically what he’s completed all camp. Pickens tracked the ball and received each ft inbounds within the again proper nook of the tip zone to place the Steelers up 14-Zero within the first half. Pickens confirmed power in his palms and excessive effectiveness as a blocker, serving to flip good runs into higher ones. He must work on his launch package deal however he’s a killer in these jump-ball moments.

Joe Haeg – Don’t discuss offensive linemen too usually however Haeg was strong working with the two’s. Robust anchor in go safety and although he confronted backups, outplayed Dan Moore Jr. on this sport. Haeg ought to simply be the workforce’s swing deal with and a stopgap choice ought to a starter miss a sport or two. I anticipated a longtime veteran like Haeg to play properly and he met expectations.

Arthur Maulet – Maulet, like Haeg, is a fairly identified and outlined participant at this level. However he nonetheless performed properly. He’s greatest towards the run and when requested to play beneath routes, together with a 3rd down cease on a slant over the center. He was regular off the sting towards the run and blew up a few WR bubble screens.

Anthony McFarland – Good outing in a superb summer time for McFarland and oh boy did he want one. He confirmed imaginative and prescient and burst and created when issues broke down. He completed the day with seven rushes for 56 yards with an extended of 24, bounding a third and 1 when every little thing was washed down in entrance of him. Rookie Jaylen Warren ran with energy however fumbled and McFarland ought to nonetheless be forward of him on the depth chart.

Tre Norwood – Norwood was robust within the purple zone on this sport with a number of finish zone breakups. Massive time performs in essential actual property. Norwood has been used because the dime defender in coaching camp and his man-cover means is getting him a spot on the sphere this 12 months, particularly with another accidents in that DB room.

Steven Sims – Sims is a small/pace man and somebody who must make performs in open grass. That’s what he did Saturday evening. He kicked issues off with a 38 yard punt return left facet and adopted issues up on a fast jet run proper facet for 38 yards, creating in open area. He capped off a superb week of follow with a strong efficiency inside a stadium. A path to the 53 shall be robust however he’s setting himself as much as nonetheless land on the follow squad as insurance coverage behind Gunner Olszewski.

Miles Boykin – One other receiver whose come on robust and carried that over to Acrisure Stadium (getting used to it but?). Boykin caught simply two passes for 17 yards however importantly, made a pair performs on particular groups. Forcing a fumble on a nasty determination by the Seahawks’ punt returner and following that up with a deal with on kick protection. With Anthony Miller sidelined as a result of a shoulder damage, Boykin moved one step nearer to that #6 WR spot.

Pressley Harvin III – Not usually I put gamers within the winners column who didn’t play. However Harvin joined Chris Boswell as specialists who didn’t see the sphere tonight. That’s actually a superb signal for Harvin’s roster spot. I assumed he would’ve been on the market to see what he can do inside a stadium. It helped Cameron Nizialek didn’t do a very good job, both.

Kenny Pickett – Thought all of the quarterbacks regarded strong tonight to various levels however Pickett was good in his NFL debut. Nothing flashy but it surely didn’t should be. I needed him to maintain the soccer, look assured and managed, and be on-time along with his throws. He was all of these issues. That’s a strong basis and one thing I’ll stroll away pleased with for a primary time by.

I wrote that above paragraph earlier than the Steelers’ last drive, Pickett main the Steelers downfield and connecting with Tyler Vaughns for the game-winning rating. What a option to begin issues off. Can’t ask for something extra out of Pickett’s debut.

LOSERS

Dan Moore Jr. – After an honest exhibiting in camp, Moore had his palms full tonight. The Seahawks have toolsy go rushers and Moore received beat by rookie Boye Mafe that led to a Mason Rudolph fumble that he thankfully recovered. Moore get additional work alongside LG Kendrick Inexperienced. Hoping for a greater outing subsequent week from him in what’s a crucial second 12 months.

Run Protection – Cease me for those who’ve heard this one earlier than. Sure, the Steelers have been with out their stars and enjoying with backups. So was Seattle. Pittsburgh’s entrance seven struggled to get off blocks and rally to the soccer and didn’t fill the alley properly sufficient. Seattle had success on the bottom from the second quarter on, ending the day with over 150 yards and averaging greater than six yards per carry. On the plus facet, the Steelers’ DBs have been energetic and aggressive. It sadly led to accidents to Ahkello Witherspoon and Damontae Kazee. Hopefully each are minor whereas Karl Joseph could possibly be a season-ending damage.

Mataeo Durant – The excellent news is Durant was wholesome sufficient to play on this sport. He missed the again half of this week’s set of practices with an unknown damage. And he received into the sport forward of Grasp Teague. However he did little with the prospect. He was blown up and run over on a 3rd down play that led to Kenny Pickett being tossed down exhausting. His first carry went for a one-yard loss earlier than giving option to Grasp Teague, who outperformed him. Durant did throw a pleasant block on a Pickett scramble late within the sport, I’ll give him that.

Khalil Davis – I’ll eat a plate of crow for tonight. Anticipated much more from the Davis twins, Carlos and Khali, who each regarded good in coaching camp. I paid particular consideration to Khalil tonight and noticed him get washed towards the run time and time once more, one motive why Pittsburgh misplaced the road of scrimmage up entrance. The entire entrance seven was underwhelming from Mark Robinson (sans his compelled fumble free off the sting) to Buddy Johnson and others. Davis not less than ended on a high-note with a giant stick on the sport’s last play.