Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris drags three Buffalo Bills tacklers on Sept. 12, 2021. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris drags three Buffalo Bills tacklers on Sept. 12, 2021. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
The Buffalo Bills will be leading the NFL in at lest one statistical category when the Pittsburgh Steelers come to town and the Steelers took a tackle in a mock 2023 NFL Draft.
Kenny Pickett’s first career start will come against the Buffalo Bills No. 1 ranked pass defense. The last rookie quarterback to beat the No. 1 pass defense in his first career start was Ben Roethlisberger in 2004. The Steelers next seven games come against teams with a winning record in 2021, which would be the longest such streak by a rookie to start a career since 1950.
The Steelers are 5-18-1 in franchise history when quarterbacks make their first career starts.
Cam Sutton is tied with Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs for the most forced incompletions plus interceptions this season with eight, according to Pro Football Focus.
George Pickens has four catches of 20+ yards downfield this season. Only two other players have more.
Robert Griffin III is looking forward to the Kenny Pickett era. “Didn’t LOVE the timing of Kenny Pickett’s first game action, but he provided an IMMEDIATE SPARK,” Griffin tweeted. “Moving the ball, showing toughness in the pocket and being a playmaker. 1st QB in NFL HISTORY to have multiple rushing TDs in his debut. Time to Kick it with Pickett.”
The Steelers offense has been abysmal through four games, but it could be a lot worse. In 1990, the Steelers didn’t score a touchdown on offense until the fifth game of the season and were 1-3. Pittsburgh proceeded to put up 118 points over the next four weeks and went 8-4 the rest of the season. Can Kenny Pickett jumpstart the Steelers offense?
Colin Cowherd of FS1 thinks starting Kenny Pickett was the right move by Mike Tomlin, even if it results in growing pains. “Sometimes you have to bottom out to get to the top. … You can’t be afraid to fail,” Cowherd said of Tomlin’s 15-year streak of never having a losing season.
It’s only October, but it’s never too early for mock drafts. Mike Renner of Pro Football Focus has the Steelers selecting Clemson defensive tackle Bryan Bresee at sixth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Rick Gosselin broke down the greatest special teams game in NFL history, which came at the expense of the Steelers. On Dec. 21, 1986, the Kansas City Chiefs had a blocked punt that was recovered in the end zone for a touchdown, a 97-yard kick return for a touchdown and a blocked field goal returned for a 78-yard touchdown. With 21 points scored off special teams, the Chiefs defeated the Steelers, 24-19, at Three Rivers Stadium. The Steelers had 28 first downs and 515 yards of offense against the Chiefs, while Kansas City managed only eight first downs and 171 yards against Pittsburgh.
