Kenny Pickett is now the starting quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers. How Pickett performs is the biggest story in the Steel City from this point forward. For the rest of the season I’ll be grading Pickett’s performances for each game. Reminder – these posts are just grading the individual game each week. This is not a season-long grade or an indication if Pickett is “The Guy”. Welcome to Kenny Pickett: Game Grade.
January 1st – Baltimore Ravens
Kenny Pickett went 15/27 for 168 yards and one touchdown in Sunday’s win over the Ravens. Pickett also had five rushes for two yards, and took two sacks. Pickett’s runs were all quarterback sneaks which were all successful.
The rookie QB returned to form this week with zero interceptions which was key to the Steelers’ win. He also – and most importantly – led his second straight game winning drive.
While the game plan did not require too much of Pickett (41 runs to 27 pass attempts) he certainly answered when called upon.
Lets dig into a few of our categories to get the Kenny Pickett: Game 10 Grade.
Accuracy
You wouldn’t know it by looking at the box score, but Pickett’s accuracy was actually pretty good in this one. Last week he had a number of passes sail high over receivers heads. In this one however, almost all of his throws were on target. Many of the incompletions were on contested catches that defenders made good plays on.
And on the flip side the passes Pickett did complete were on the money. Multiple passes, either on the move or from the pocket, had excellent placement. They were either in places only his targets could reach them, or even led the targets away from the defense.
Pocket Presence
Pickett was once again strong in the pocket. He was able to move within it to create throwing lanes – often moving defenders while he did it. Pickett did take two sacks in the game. The first was after tripping over Running Back Najee Harris, and the second came from mostly good coverage.
My one nit-pick is the second sack. As Pickett was waiting for something to develop downfield he fell into an old habit – drifting back and to the right. This put him in a tough position for when he decided to try and scramble and climb the pocket. He ran out of room and ended up taking a big loss on the play.
Pickett is still better in the pocket than he was to start the season – by far – but I’d say he wasn’t quite as good in this one as he was last week.
Big Time Throws
I’m adding a new category this week – big time throws. These throws don’t just highlight deep passes, but throws that require true “arm talent”. Something I was admittedly worried about coming into the season. While Pickett may never throw 50 yards on a rope, he definitely came up with big throws in this one.
There was the 3rd and 14 to George Pickens in the third quarter. That drive ended in a field goal. And on the final drive there were three throws. The 20 yard scramble to pass (and avoid defenders) to Pat Freiermuth. The 28 yard deep shot to Steven Sims. And the touchdown pass to Harris which was thrown at the perfect angle, while on the run, to split the defenders.
Pickett’s ability and willingness to use the middle of the field more and create throwing opportunities have been a big improvement in his game over the last few weeks.
Production
Here is the thing we keep running into. Just 16 points, with ten coming in the first quarter is not going to get it done most nights. Granted – this was a classic Steelers-Ravens matchup. So 16 points is basically the norm. But it is a continuing trend. Pittsburgh was jut 1-3 in the red zone in this one, including kicking a field goal from the Baltimore two-yard line.
If Kenny Pickett and this offense are going to take a leap moving forward, finishing drives with seven instead of three is going to be a huge factor.
Final Grade: B-
I know the overall production still isn’t there. I know Pickett completed less passes than last week. I know he took an ugly sack. BUT – this was Pickett’s best game since his first start (where one could argue he had a lot working against him, so the public and myself were easier on him).
Pickett’s ball placement, big time throws, and second straight game-winning drive against a much better defense in the Ravens compared to the Raiders of last week really showed a lot to the football community. With one game left in the regular season and Pittsburgh still in the playoff hunt, let’s see what magic Pickett can create in Week 18.
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