Steelers vs. Colts Preseason Week 3: Grading the Steelers performance vs. the Colts

Once again, preseason games are very tough to grade. You definitely aren't seeing complete units and you surely won’t be seeing everything a team has to offer in terms of new wrinkles being polished during practices. Coordinators don’t want to tip their hand before the regular season starts. But despite these caveats, I’m not copping out. I’ll use the eye test and grade what I saw.

Offense: C+

This unit won't be complete until No. 26 saunters into the huddle. If the starting Steelers 11 had been on the field, it would have played out differently. There were gaffes, but for the most part, the offense should be solid once the season starts. Knile Davis cannot fill the shoes of Le’Veon Bell and that was truly glaring on Saturday night. What I liked was Ben to Brown, Rogers and even Bryant. The offensive line was a little shaky to start though, but not a huge concern.

Honor Roll: Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, Eli Rogers, Terrell Watson, James Conner, Xavier Grimble and Landry Jones.

Detention: Alejandro Villanueva, Knile Davis and the "Pete Carroll" call on the one yard line.

Defense: C-

The pass rush wasn't there and the secondary looked lost and leaderless with poor tackling as a big issue . . . Artie Burns. Many first-teamers were battling a terrible offensive line and the guidance of a career-backup QB. Please tell me that Tomlin and Butler are holding their cards close to the vest but are ready to unleash a revitalized unit in Cleveland on September 10th.

Honor Roll: Ryan Shazier, Vince Williams, Tyler Matakevich and Cam Sutton

Detention: Robert Golden, Artie Burns, Ross Cockrell

Special Teams: C

Back to reality for Danny Smith's soldiers. Nothing special here and no one is seizing the kick return duties. Coverage was only decent and Boswell missed an extra point.

Overall Performance: C

Yawn. Enough said.