Steelers Offensive Line Breakdown Play By Play Versus Bengals Week 14

Below is the play by play break down of the offensive line from the Sunday afternoon week 14 game versus the Cincinnati Bengals. It is merely a pass or fail grade on if I think the lineman did his job or not. It also should be noted that we go under assumptions that we know what the assignment on each play was and sometimes it is not obvious. We have to grade on what we see and go from there. We added small notes to each play as well. As always if you disagree with any play, do so respectfully in the comments and give your reason so I can go back through and re-watch your disagreement.

Although the scoring was better this week the overall play of the unit as a whole is not consistent. Whether it be a sack, a penalty or a running back getting stuffed or thrown for a loss, those type things are happening too frequently despite the scores. This is the leading cause of red zone fails and drive stalls.

Overall Rating

Run Blocking Rating

Pass Blocking Rating

First Half Rating

Maurkice Pouncey – The Bengals game was a bit of a bounce back for the rookie. He had his hands full the last few weeks against Kyle Williams and Haloti Ngata. Domata Peko was a much easier chore for Pouncey and he played well in both the running and passing game. He had a high snap and a few mis-communications, but that is going to happen from time to time. He remains the rock on the offensive line and it is very noticeable. The times he is beat and pushed back seems to be when he loses the leverage war, that too is going to happen. If things go well, perhaps he can rest a little in the final game against the Browns. He has a ton of snaps under his belt and will only get better.

Ramon Foster – Whoa! What is Ramon doing up this high? Do not let the 85% score fool you though as he was far from dominate, especially in the running game where the Steelers really could of used a better effort on Sunday. He had a sack on his shoulders as well and benefited from several quick passes. Was it a better showing by him as of late? Yes. Anytime you can get him in the 80% range it is good. His weakness like most right guards is getting beat inside. He also lacks that mean streak still that Pouncey and Kemoeatu both have. His strength is not there to move out tackles at times. On the plus side, he and Flozell really seem to work good together. He had a great first half on Sunday as the numbers show and let it get away in the second half. He remains the best right guard option the Steelers have going forward.

Chris Kemoeatu – Like Pouncey, Kemoeatu was glad to see the Bengals and had a good bounce back game. He had a few crushing blocks on pulls to the right, one on Keith Rivers later in the game. He will get beat on occasion in the A gap when he has the duty there, but overall, this is the Kemo we are use to seeing week in and week out. He moves on one straight line as he always has and will miss blocks because he has no lateral movement. This is nothing new with him and if he can stay playing at this level through the playoffs, the Steelers will be fine unless it includes handling Ngata from the Ravens. He and Williams will always be his kryptonite.

Flozell Adams – There were plays per usual where it looked like Adams did not want to be out there as he did not finish several times. His run blocking was his weak point on Sunday and that is not surprising coming off the ankle sprain. His pass blocking was OK, but he too benefited from several quick passes. He could really use a week off and if the Steelers get a chance to rest him a half late in the season, he could really use it. He still will get beat on the edge a few times and get fooled by a good spin move, but one could argue right now that he might be the 2nd best lineman the Steelers have right now behind Pouncey. He mixed in a holding call this week as well and got a demerit for it.

Jonathan Scott – Like Foster, anytime you get Scott to score in the 80% range, it has been a good day for him. Make no mistake, he was not dominate. Also the Steelers used several quick passes on the day and that saved him as well. He surrenders easily to pass rushers with good spin moves and he is not strong and often gets pushed back into the pocket. He continues to get called for holding and it always seems to be at the worst time. Do not let his run blocking fool you as often times the Steelers run to the other side away from him. He remains the weakest link on the starting line going forward, but he is giving the effort. He just does not have the skill set to be an every down left tackle. Regardless, I tip my hat to the effort on Sunday. The Steelers won and that is all that matters.

Trai Essex – Essex only saw 3 plays as an extra tight end on the right side. Thank God as the effort was very bad. 2 of 3 plays he looked like he either did not know the assignment or just did not care.

Play By Play Breakdown