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 17 game vs. the Seattle Seahawks, it was more the former than anything else. 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? For the first time in a while, it did. Time to get out the red pen and try to make grade out this game…

Offense

If I’m being honest, there wasn’t much to complain about in this game on the offensive side of the ball. They leaned on the running game, which was working, they didn’t turn the ball over, and when they decided to air it out they were successful. It’s back-to-back weeks now with 30-point outings. Crazy how things have changed since Mason Rudolph took over at quarterback…

Grade: A

Defense

The Steelers defense did what they do best. Bend, but don’t break. Surrendering 23 points isn’t ideal, but the team rose up, like they have so many times this season, and made the big play when it mattered most. For once, it wasn’t T.J. Watt or Alex Highsmith who was making the play, it was Nick Herbig. The Nick Herbig who got two total defensive snaps the entire game. Sometimes I forget how banged up the defense is, so I won’t knock them too much.

Grade: B

Special Teams

When Pressley Harvin doesn’t have to punt much, it’s a good day. Combine that with Chris Boswell making his kicks and you get an ‘A’ grade. I am still wondering why the team constantly chooses to kickoff short though…

Grade: A

Coaching

For the first time in seemingly forever, the Steelers looked like the plan they had in place actually worked. Offensively and defensively they were able to execute said game plan and keep their playoff hopes alive with a clutch victory. Have to give props when it’s due, and the Steelers aggressive approach pulled through when it mattered most.

Grade: A

The Steelers have stunned the majority of the fan base who thought they were left for dead after the loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Not only have they kept their playoff hopes alive, but they’ve provided the fan base with something they haven’t experienced much since 2020…fun and entertaining games. The way they dominated the trenches in the run game absolutely was a pleasure to watch.

Overall Grade: A

What grade would you give the Steelers? Would any of the above grades be different? Let us know 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 Baltimore Ravens in Week 18 on Saturday.