Kenny Pickett had maybe his worst game of the season so far against the Dolphins. Here is what we learned about the young Steelers QB.
The Steelers offense continued their struggles this week, losing 16-10 to the Miami Dolphins. Kenny Pickett got the start after clearing the concussion protocol, but he showed he still has a long way to go. Here is how the young QB faired against Miami.
Steelers Pickett’s rookie mistakes waste defensive effort
It was a small sample size, but Kenny Pickett had shown very few signs of being a rookie in his first few games prior to this Sunday. He was maybe even playing a little too safe if anything. Against Miami, however, he made multiple mistakes that killed drives and took potential points off the board.
On the first drive of the game, Pickett sailed a pass down the sideline to Diontae Johnson on 3rd down. He threw his first of three picks on the next drive, but Chase Claypool was tripped up on the play. He settled in nicely from there for a good chunk of the game, but the fourth quarter was a different story.
Pickett would throw two picks on the Steelers last two possessions, ending any hope of coming back to win. The first was just him trying to do too much after two penalties put the offense in 3rd and long. Dolphins star safety Jevon Holland read him like a book and jumped the route by Johnson.
The third and final interception was the one that really bothered me. The defense got a stop and Pickett was driving the offense downfield well. They needed a TD down 16-10, and Pickett had them down to the 25-yard line with about 30 seconds left. He stepped up in the pocket with plenty of space to run but instead forced a pass right to Dolphins cornerback Noah Igbinoghene for the pick.
The bottom line for Pickett
Pickett finished 32 of 44 257 yards and a touchdown to go along with his three picks. He looked like the rookie he is, for the first time this year so which was a reason why the Steelers lost. Things will get better with Pickett, and even in this game he showed some nice flashes. This game though will be one he will want to forget. All I hope is that he doesn’t start to get gun-shy after all these turnovers.