Game start

I went into this game excited to see Russell Wilson quarterback the team. Last week, Arthur Smith’s offense showed play-action passes and some strong runs. I wanted to see what the offense looked like with Wilson at quarterback.

Matchday experience

I missed another game. My tickets went to my college buddy Ron Harkins and his wife Nancy. Ron played tight end for Blackhawk High School outside of Beaver Falls in the 1970s. It was fun exchanging text messages with him during the game.

The local DC stations carried the Steelers game because the Commanders and Ravens were on different timeslots. A warning from last week. If you ever set up a temporary account to watch a game, be sure to cancel the subscription immediately after the game. FUBO wanted to charge me $302.40 for three months because I had only canceled on Saturday morning. We got that sorted out. But they make it very difficult to unsubscribe and you have to take several steps to get rid of the subscription.

Anyway, I had Steelers Nation Radio on my phone, the game live on TV, and a streamed version that ran about 30 seconds behind the live broadcast so I could watch some replays. My son Nicholas came upstairs to see what all the cacophony was about and just shook his head. I was standing in front of the TV with a Terrible Towel slung over my shoulder and a blaring phone in my hand with Craig Wolfley describing the play that Charlie Batch and Bob Pompeani had described just seconds before. And that same play came on my laptop where I was streaming the game.

Nick smiled and said: “It’s just a warm-up game.”

Steelers Attack

Russell Wilson played almost the entire first half. Unfortunately, he failed to move the ball effectively, but it’s hard to be too harsh on his performance. The offensive line played abysmal. Broderick Jones looked very weak and was thrown aside like a rag doll when a defender sacked Wilson.

Justin Fields came on for the final drive of the half. His ability to evade the rush and gain yardage led to the Steelers’ only points of the game on a field goal by Chris Boswell. Fields’ athleticism really adds momentum to the Steelers’ offense.

But he can’t do everything on his own. He couldn’t convert on fourth and two. He lost 10 yards when he kept the ball on an option play. Fields also threw to TJ Luther, who slowed down just before the goal line and then dove for the ball to no avail. The Steelers offense was 0-3 on fourth down.

On a positive note, there were no botched exchanges between Zach Frazier and the two quarterbacks. Mike Tomlin was frustrated. That’s why Wilson played almost an entire half and Fields finished the game against the Buffalo losers. But he still couldn’t score a point.

Jaylen Warren’s absence with a hamstring injury hurt. But I’m more worried about Broderick Jones. He wore a thick bandage around his elbow. He also declined a postgame interview, saying he needed to see a doctor again. With injuries to Troy Fautanu and Nate Herbig, the offensive line is in disarray.

Steelers defense

Playing without Cam Heyward and TJ Watt, the Steelers defense held out and rested, giving players who are normally backups a chance. Nick Herbig shined with a sack and fit well into the starting defense. Payton Wilson is being evaluated for a concussion. Anthony Averett also left the game with a hamstring injury. Beanie Bishop did not play as a “precautionary measure,” according to Mike Tomlin. Larry Ogunjobi helped stop a Buffalo charge with a nice tackle that resulted in a loss of yardage. Linebacker Mark Robinson made some strong tackles, including one on special teams. It was nice to see DeMarvin Leal play after missing a lot of practice after the first preseason game.

Patrick Queen did not appear to be playing at full speed. He missed a tackle in the backfield and was blocked on another run inside. Darius Rush was credited with a pass breakup in the end zone. However, the ball was thrown short and hit him in the back of the head. A better thrown ball would likely have resulted in a penalty since he never turned to face the ball. The Bills’ backup players were overrun in the second half, allowing Buffalo to control the pace of the game.

Special teams

Special teams are an underrated aspect of the game where one big play can change the momentum or even determine the game winner. The new kickoff rules should lead to more kick returns. And test the adaptability of the special teams coordinator.

I divide special teams into three phases: kickoffs, punting, and scoring (field goals and extra points). Here is an overview of how special teams play during the game:

IMPACT

Chris Boswell and Mathew Wright each kicked once. Both reached the intended landing zone. Boswell’s kick, however, reached the four-yard line. The returner made it 17 yards, where Dez Fitzpatrick tackled Andy Isabella at the 21-yard line. Wright’s kick went only 54 yards to the 11. Andy Isabella returned the ball to the 29, where Isaiahh Loudermilk and Miles Killebrew brought him down. Buffalo took advantage of the favorable field position with a field goal and took a 6-3 lead.

Tyler Bass made four kicks, all four of which were fielded in the designated landing zone. John Rhys Plumlee returned two kicks, reaching the 30- and 25-yard lines. La’Mical Perine returned two kicks in the second half, reaching the 29- and 24-yard lines.

Pittsburgh’s kick coverage team has done well. Cordarrelle Patterson has yet to return a kick.

THE STATISTICS

Kick-off	KOs	RTN	TB	WHETHER	IN25	Pen	Starting average
Chris Boswell	1	1	0	0	1	0	BUF21
Matthias Wright	1	1	0	0	0	0	BUF29
Tyler Bass	4	4	0	0	1	1	PGH 27

Kickoff returns	KR	Yds	Average	Long	Pen	TD
John Rhys Plumlee	2	43	21.5	22	0	0
La’Mical Perine	2	45	22.5	25	0	0
Andy Isabella	2	35	17.5	18	0	0

Advantage Steelers.

STAKING

Cameron Johnston punted five times and averaged 56.8 yards. However, he averaged 44.2 yards per punt. Johnston punts long, but the Gunners can’t get down to prevent returns. Mark Robinson made a great tackle to limit a return. Rodney Williams missed a tackle at the goal line. But the most damage came on a 64-yard punt that Daequan Hardy returned 31 yards. Fortunately, Miles Killebrew intercepted Mitch Trubisky two plays later. I love long punts. But I’m waiting for the opponent to be forced to make more fair catches or let the ball go out of bounds behind the 20-yard line. Johnston had two punts that forced Buffalo to start behind their own 20 due to good tackles.

Sam Martin punted five times. Pittsburgh went back to Calvin Austin, who returned the first four punts for 43 yards. Then Scotty Miller returned a punt for 13 yards. A marked improvement from last week. I’m happy with Austin catching punts. He returned all four from behind the 20, giving Pittsburgh starting position from the 23-29 yard line.

THE STATISTICS

Staking	Punts	Average	Net	TB	Obstetrics/D	IN20	Pen	Long
Cameron Johnston	5	56.8	44.2	0	0	2	0	65
Sam Martin	5	52.8	41.6	0	0	0	2	59

Punt Returns	PR	Yds	Average	FC	Pen	Long	TD
Calvin Austin	4	43	10.8	0	0	13	0
Scott Miller	1	13	13.0	0	0	13	0
Daequan Hardy	5	63	12.6	0	0	31	0

Benefit calculations.

FIELD GOALS AND EXTRA POINTS

Chris Boswell hit the left post on a 45-yard field goal attempt and then tied the score at 3-3 with a 41-yard field goal.

Tyler Bass converted all three field goal attempts from close range. He made field goals from -27, -26 and 31 yards.

THE STATISTICS

FGs and PATs	XPM	XPA	FGM	FGA	Long	2PTM	2PTA
Chris Boswell	0	0	1	2	43	0	0
Tyler Bass	0	0	3	3	31	0	0

Benefit calculations

YOUR HOT CAPTURES DURING THE GAME

Thank you very much, Ross McCorklefor keeping us up to date with the live updates and discussion threads on the first and second half of the game. Steelers Depot participants made 965 comments on the first half. Participants added 587 more comments on the second half. Here are the Top Three Comments from each half. I don’t know the algorithm Disqus uses, but this is how they stacked it:

The most important comments from the first half focused on the performance of the offensive line:

Nelsonator762 points out that coaching is the problem. “Pat Meyer should be on the hit list. Seriously, how many more high-profile draft picks can he get away with?”

Jones followed by “At what point should we seriously talk about giving up Meyer? Bad personnel decisions and the guys are unprepared when they play.”

Then Chris92021 added his perspective. “Looks like Broderick Jones is thinking too much. Rousseau is just making his mouth water. For God’s sake, stop using him as RT. Learn from Kevin Dotson’s mistake. Fire Meyer too.”

Nelsonator762 continued the theme of offense in the second half. “Pat Meyer should be kicked out tonight. I mean that seriously. What he teaches these guys is terrible. They’re finished before they even get going, their technique is amazing.”

Jason Anderson give a negative performance something positive. “We learned one thing last year and I won’t soon forget it: never judge a team by its performance in the previous season.”

Nathanand43 put things into perspective. “Why are we assuming Smith will commentate on this game the way he would commentate on a regular season game? When has an OC ever commentated on a preseason game like that? I’m not saying he’ll be good – he could be bad. But right now I’m more inclined to trust his vast experience as an OC than the two preseason games he’s played as an OC. If we start the season and he’s bad, then so be it.”

I hope you all enjoy the conversations in the live updates and discussion threads!

DIPLOMA

The second preseason game is done. Only one more practice game in Detroit before the real regular season games begin. The Steelers have fixed some things from last week, like the botched snaps. But a whole new set of problems have cropped up, starting with the offensive line. Not only are they performing poorly, but they’re also suffering from injuries. I’m still worried about our punt coverage despite Cameron Johnston’s long boots. And what’s happening at the slot corner and with outside help.

I expect both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields to see playing time in the final preseason game, but my attention will be on the offensive line. Here we go.

Your song selection

I always like to add a little music. Another shaky performance. People say there’s no point in trying. But they’ve worked so hard. We’ve got to get out of here. Even if it’s the last thing we ever do. Here’s We Gotta Get Out of the Place performed by Animals.