The Pittsburgh Steelers were back on the field Sunday for the tenth game of the 2023 regular season when they played the Cleveland Browns in Week 11 of regular season action. The Steelers were losers in the contest, but that doesn’t mean every player had a good or bad performance.

Players who play well can be considered ‘Winners’, while those who left a lot to be desired can be called ‘Losers’. It may sound harsh, but it is the crux of this exercise.

Let’s check in to see who fell on which side of the ledger after the latest game…

Winners

Jaylen Warren
Stat Line: 9 carries, 129 yards, 14.3 ave., 1 TD, 74 long / 3 catches, 16 yards, 3 targets

What might be the most concerning issue about this, even though Warren is on the winners list, is how Warren only had 12 touches on the day. Jaylen Warren was THE offense Sunday. It was a one-man show, and when the rubber met the road, he was on the sideline. I want someone to make it make sense, and this isn’t just about who is RB1 and RB2. It’s about effectiveness, and right now Warren deserves more touches because he’s the more effective back.

Elandon Roberts
Stat Line: 15 tackles, 11 solo, 2 TFL

The Steelers defense didn’t play poorly, but only one player really jumped off the screen repeatedly, and that was Elandon Roberts. Roberts was playing fast and physical the entire game, and looks to be settling in as the “man in the middle” off the Steelers defense. Roberts is a veteran, and the Steelers desperately need him after the injuries to Holcomb and Alexander.

Losers

Coaching Staff
Stat Line: What game plan? Adjustments?

I don’t even know where to begin with this coaching staff. The entire plan, from offense to defense, was atrocious. But even though the defense did adjust in the second half, they seemed to let off the gas at the worst possible time. As for the offense, Kenny Pickett’s comments about the game plan looking for man and getting zone screams of an inability to adjust in-game. Bad all around.

Kenny Pickett
Stat Line: 15/28, 106 yards, 3.8 ave., 0 TD, 0 INT, 3 sacks-for-29, 62.5 rating

This is what we’ve seen from Pickett the past 3-4 games. Just bad play all around. Everyone looking for someone to blame needs to also understand while the offensive system isn’t helping, at some point Pickett has to make throws which can help the team win. Not healthy? Shouldn’t be playing. If I’m Pickett, and Canada’s scheme is handcuffing me, I’d rather be benched for changing plays than to go down like this. Because he is absolutely going down in the court of fan/public opinion.

Pressley Harvin
Stat Line: 9 punts, 39.4 ave., 4 inside 40

When Jordan Berry was the Steelers punter I wanted him gone for one reason: inconsistency. Harvin is headed in the same direction. Dave Schofield has pointed out just how much better Harvin is when he’s at home compared to on the road. That’s inconsistency, and I can’t stand it. The 20-yard shank was inexcusable.

Matt Canada
Stat Line: Painfully Predictable

How bad are things? Try Najee Harris essentially told reporters after the game the defense knows what is coming. So predictable it is difficult to watch. How long will Canada remain? If you listen to my podcast in the player below, I believe the Steelers should make a strong move regarding Canada, not that they’ll actually do it. But now’s the time.

Pass Protection
Stat Line: 2 sacks, 4 QB Hits

The stats don’t look too bad, but the pass protection wasn’t good. Mason Cole and Dan Moore remain the weak links along the line, and they’ll be two positions the team will be looking to improve on next season. Pickett wasn’t good, but neither was the pass protection.

3rd Down/Red-Zone Offense
Stat Line: 3-for-14 / 0-for-1

For people who read this article or listen to my podcast know the 3rd down goal is .500. 3-for-14 isn’t that. On a day when the team couldn’t do anything well, when you get to the red-zone you have to convert. They didn’t do that either. If they want to go anywhere this season, start improving these areas.

Officiating
Stat Line: Review system / Browns penalties

The Browns weren’t penalized till midway through the 4th quarter. I find this difficult to fathom in today’s flag-happy NFL. Throw in how this crew somehow found “clear evidence” that Ford crossed the goalline on the first touchdown of the game is beyond me. Doesn’t help to build any trust in the NFL or its product.

If you want a more detailed look at the above list, check out my “Let’s Ride” podcast in the player below where I outline each Winner and Loser, and MORE!