There are times as an educator, something I was for 16 years, when you see that stack of quizzes or tests sitting on your desk and you just have to wait to grade them. Sometimes it is based on the fact you just haven’t carved out time to dive into the grading process, and other times you have a strong feeling the class, as a whole, didn’t do well on this assignment.

When it comes to grading the Pittsburgh Steelers Week 7 game vs. the Los Angeles Rams, it was more the latter. As always, I felt the best course of action was to just wait a bit, let the dust settle, and then visit the grades without the emotions of the game still fresh in my mind.

Did it improve the grades much? Sort of. Time to get out the red pen and try to make this not look like a murder scene on the offensive side of the ball…

Offense

I feel like I have typed this every time the Steelers found a way to win a game. It was ugly, but they somehow found a way to win. I will say this, the win over the Rams actually had more bright spots than any other game this season, in my opinion. That doesn’t mean the performance was outstanding, but that the offense seems to be headed in the right direction. At least for now.

Grade: C-

Defense

The defense did what they always do, or so it seems. Bend, but don’t break, and make a key play when it matters the most. That is exactly what the Steelers, and T.J. Watt did in Week 7. I would love to see the run defense improve, but the play of Joey Porter Jr., Keeanu Benton and Nick Herbig have me feeling good.

Grade: B

Special Teams

You don’t realize what you have until you see the opposing kicker missing kicks like crazy. That’s exactly what happened Sunday, and the Rams have officially released their kicker after he missed three kicks. Chris Boswell has been perfect, and Pressley Harvin III has been outstanding. While I’d love to see more in the return game, I’m not about to start complaining.

Grade: A

Coaching

Hearing Mike Tomlin say at halftime the Rams were doing things they weren’t expecting and they’ll have to address at halftime wasn’t a good look, especially coming off a bye. The in-game adjustments were there, but at some point you have to ask what took the team so long to play someone like Joey Porter Jr. and other rookies like Keeanu Benton. A lot of questions surrounding the coaching staff remain.

Grade: C

I haven’t said this much this season, but I feel as if the Steelers are heading in the right direction. I don’t think they’re near a finished product, but are heading in the right direction. When you consider the fact they are 4-2 and are not even close to reaching their best play, it is stunning. If this is the floor, what is the ceiling? There is a lot of work left to be done, but if they can learn those lessons while winning, so be it.

Overall Grade: C

What grade do you give the Steelers after the win over the Rams? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below, and be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 8 of the regular season.