Steelers Can Clinch, Grades and Report Cards
By Kim Myers
The Steelers head into their final home stand of the season with their sights set on an AFC North Title. While they’re busy preparing to face the Kansas City Chiefs this week we’ll be busy looking for mentions of your Black & Gold so we’ve got you covered. Here’s your Steelers Morning Huddle for Tuesday, Dec. 16th.
More from Steelers News
- Steelers play it safe in recent 2023 NFL mock draft
- Kenny Pickett gets his guy in latest Steelers mock draft with trades
- Steelers face potentially dark reality if Matt Canada doesn’t pan out
- Senior Bowl sleepers the Steelers must have on their radar
- One simple change Omar Khan must make for the Steelers draft
Look Who’s Clinching
With two games left to be played in the 2014 NFL season the Steelers are squarely fixated on winning the AFC North for the first time since 2010 by sweeping the Cincinnati Bengals when they show up for the divisional showdown on December 28th. However, as Teresa Varley explains, the Steelers can punch their post-season ticket with a win this weekend at home against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Steelers are currently the fifth seed in the AFC Playoff Picture and can clinch at least a Wild Card spot with a victory this weekend.
Steelers Grades
ESPN’s Scott Brown handed out his grades for the Steelers 27-20 win over the Atlanta Falcons. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger grades an A for his patience on Sunday. In spite of not throwing a touchdown pass, Roethlisberger was able to avoid throwing any interceptions for the second road-game in a row and threw for over 300 yards. He graded the defensive line with a C+, which I think is a little low but he does make a point that Falcons QB Matt Ryan had all kinds of time and the Steelers defense allowed 4.9 yards per carry on the ground. He graded the coaching staff with an A- for not the flashiest victory, but an important road victory nonetheless.
Steelers Report Card
Gerry Dulac of the PPG does his version of Steelers grades with a report card of the win over Atlanta. His overall grade for the team was an A with some slight differences. He graded the Steelers offensive line with a C+ for not being able to get the run game going but only allowing one sack on Roethlisberger. Dulac explains that the Steelers appear to be hitting their stride at precisely the right time in the season. They exorcised some demons this weekend, if you will, by being able to take care of business against a losing team on the road and still very much in charge of their own playoff destiny.