The absences of two of the past four defensive players of the year hardly made a ripple, what with James Harrison (knee) and Troy Polamalu (calf) ailing. What changed the tide for the Steelers was the offense behind a 24-for-31 Ben Roethlisberger gobbling up 36½ minutes of possession time and scoring TDs on half of its final six possessions. In fact, the offense hardly gave the New York Jets much of a chance in the second half of this 27-10 spanking Sunday.
Offense: B-minus. For the second consecutive game, the Steelers failed to score touchdowns on their first couple of deep drives, failed to capitalize on field possession or clock-consuming marches for 2½ quarters. On Sunday, though, they eventually awoke from that slumber. They did it with passes to running backs and tight ends (8 of 24 completions total). They did it without a running game (66 yards on 28 carries, a measly 2.4 yards per). Mostly, this triumph was owed to the offensive line’s ability to protect Roethlisberger decently, despite its inability to create much running room, and Roethlisberger’s pinpoint passing (125.1 rating).
Defense: B-plus. Without Harrison and Polamalu, the defense allowed the Jets scores on their opening pair of possessions and a 10-6 lead. Yet with steady pressure, including a hard clout by linebacker Lawrence Timmons, the Steelers caused Mark Sanchez to go from 4 for 5 for 80 yards to 6 for 22 for 58 yards the rest of the way. Ryan Clark topped them with eight tackles and played a dynamic role, shifting between free and strong safetys. Can he do that when Polamalu returns?
Special teams: B-plus. They kept Jeremy Kerley from scoring a TD return, which is more than Buffalo could muster. Rookie Drew Butler got three punts inside the 20, and two at the 10 or closer, all the while collecting a 39.8-yard net. Shaun Suisham remained perfect on field goals, though his 45-yard line drives Sunday looked to be near his max distance. And special teams co-coach Mike Tomlin allowed rookie Chris Rainey to return kickoffs at home in Heinz Field, but will he let him Sunday in Oakland and beyond?
Coaching: B-minus. It took a couple of Jets offensive possessions for the defense to either catch up or merely settle its overanxious ways, what with Clark -- who sat out the Denver game -- admitting he zealously bit on every Sanchez fake the first two drives. All of the Steelers’ 10 penalties for 107 yards can't be ascribed simply to replacement officials. How will the Steelers play Sunday at an 0-2 Oakland with a bye week behind that?
Follow Steelers reporter Chuck Finder on Twitter @CBSSteelers and @cfinder.
No ad available