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Ed. note: PFF rankings vary considerably from the site's first review of the game and a more in-depth second viewing coming later in the week. We compile these write-ups with a knee-jerk reaction in mind
It's a different game lately for Steelers right tackle Marcus Gilbert.
After a rough start to the season, the recent recipient of a contract extension has settled into some pretty decent performances, most recently in the Steelers' Week 4 loss to Tampa Bay. Pro Football Focus, a football-plays evaluation web site, gave Gilbert a 3.6 grade, the highest on the Steelers. After watching the game a second time, we agree Gilbert played well, but the level of play usually earning that high of a grade might not be where he finishes. Still, he definitely played a good game.
Center Maurkice Pouncey also played a solid game, which the exception of a back-breaking penalty on the Steelers' final drive. He scored a 1.6, the same as quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
Wide receiver Justin Brown (-2.0) and running back Le'Veon Bell (-1.6) scored the lowest among the offense.
Defensively, the Steelers saw a strong performance from safety Troy Polamalu, who scored his best through four games this year, 1.7. It appeared the Steelers brought Polamalu down from a high safety position a bit more often, and brought him after the quarterback a few times at the end, registering a hit and a hurry on separate plays. Nose tackle Steve McLendon and linebacker Lawrence Timmons scored 1.6 each.
Defensive end Brett Keisel had the lowest score, earning a -3.0 upon the site's first viewing. Defensive ends Cameron Heyward (-2.7) and Cam Thomas (-2.4) had the low scores on the defense, both losing a bit of ground in terms of their run defense. We're not entirely sure that was the case - it seemed more of their struggles were in their collective lack of pass rush.
Steelers outside linebacker James Harrison, playing in his first game this season, had a -1.0 grade.