Stock rising/falling after week 3 loss

The Pittsburgh Steelers begin the rest of their season post-Ben Roethlisberger injury. Mason Rudolph took over, and the defense helped him out multiple times, but the team ultimately suffered a devastating loss.

The Steelers headed out west 0-2 and looking to right the ship before the season is in a huge hole. Mason Rudolph is in his second year and trying to rally the troops and get the season turned around.

The defense will need to pick up a lot of slack and help the young guy as much as possible. It can’t all be placed on them though as the offense needs to improve a lot if the team has any shot at a decent season.

The first half is a prime example of the offense failing to step up. The defense gifted them with four turnovers, and the offense only rewarded that with a measly six points.

This cannot continue to happen, or Pittsburgh will see Miami picking in the top ten with that first rounder they gave up for Minkah Fitzpatrick.

Some guys stepped up to the plate big and helped keep the team in position to win. There were also some guys that did not help at all and actually hurt the cause.

Minkah Fitzpatrick: stock – up

The Steelers gave up a lot to get him, and Fitzpatrick came up big in his first game. He notched a forced fumble and an interception in the first half of action.

His play will go a long way in improving the Steelers defense throughout 2019. He has stability and can focus on being a free safety, but his versatility can be an asset for the Steelers throughout.

Fitzpatrick alone isn’t going to turn this defense into the Steel Curtain suddenly, but no one should realistically have expected that. However, what him being here will do, is give them a boost in coverage and a guy who can create turnovers, as he displayed in the first half, which is something the Steelers sorely needed on defense.

T.J. Watt: stock – up

Watt has wreaked havoc ever since joining the Steelers. This year has been no different as he has been dominate all year.

Watt got an interception on the first drive against San Francisco. Unfortunately, the Steelers only got a field goal after it.

He has been continually in the backfield and making plays. Whether he is getting a sack, forcing a turnover, making a run stop or just merely pressuring the quarterback, Watt is a crucial piece to his defense.

Offensive line: stock – down

The offensive line has been a strength of the Steelers for the last five years, but this season, they seem to have taken a step back. The group is the same group that started the majority of games in 2018, so they have had time together.

The most significant loss is obviously former coach Mike Munchak. The pass protection has been relatively what we are used to seeing, but the run blocking has been sub-par.

This is likely due to Munchak having had a large hand in preparing the rushing attack through the practice week. Shaun Sarrett inherited the team and, while he is a fine offensive line coach, he is not on the level of a hall of famer.

The Steelers have to get back to running the football to help Mason Rudolph out. To do that, the offensive line has to be better.

Bud Dupree: stock – up

Dupree has been the talk of Steelers nation since the fifth year option in his contract was picked up. Many did not like the idea of paying him the high amount attached with the option.

He does not have the gaudy sack totals you want to see from an edge rusher picked where they took him. However, he has shown flashes of what they wanted from him in that draft.

Dupree had a good game today showing up in the backfield and making a difference. In years past, he had been in the backfield but took himself out of the play, and now he seems to put himself in better positions to make plays.

Ryan Switzer: stock – down

Switzer had a rapport with Ben Roethlisberger but even that faded out before the Ben injury. Switzer is a non-factor too often for him to be a part of this team any longer.

He is buried in the receiving depth chart and is not an explosive receiver or punt returner. He had a muff last week, and the team could throw anyone back there to waive his arm and catch the punt or gain little yardage.

The Steelers are now 0-3 after a frustrating loss in which the defense gave them multiple opportunities to blow the game open with four first half turnovers. The offense is not clicking, and aside from a couple of big plays, they weren’t able to move the ball consistently and effectively.

The Steelers have a long road ahead of them, and the chances are not good to make the playoffs. The team will need to use this time to see what Mason Rudolph has moving forward and hope for the best.

This is shaping up to be a very long season and the worst under Mike Tomlin. It is not in my nature to give up on this team after the things I have seen them overcome, but that will be tested in the coming weeks for not only me but all of Steelers nation.