Packers: Grading Preseason Week 2 loss at Pittsburgh
By Phil Watson
Aug 23, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Shakim Phillips (19) drops a pass in front of Green Bay Packers cornerback LaDarius Gunter (36) during the second half of the game at Heinz Field. The Steelers won the game, 24-19. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
The Packer defense had an up-and-down day, surrendering 312 yards of offense, but creating two turnovers. The run defense was solid, holding Pittsburgh to 42 yards and 1.6 yards per carry. The pass defense gave up 270 yards, 6.6 yards per pass, had three sacks and one interception.
The best on defense included:
RCB Ladarius Gunter: Gunter was terrific in coverage in his 39 snaps, allowing one completion for six yards in four times being thrown at. He defended the other three attempts. Grade: A
RDE Christian Ringo: Ringo played 20 snaps and was credited with one tackle, one stop and one quarterback hurry. He also held his ground very well against the run. Grade: A-
RDE Letroy Guion: Guion played outside for 11 snaps on Sunday, getting a tackle and a run stop and setting the edge against the run extremely well. Grade: A-
Honorable mention: RILB Carl Bradford (B), ROLB Jayrone Elliott (B-), LCB Damarious Randall (B-), ROLB Julius Peppers (B-).
The worse on defense included:
LOLB Mike Neal: Neal played 18 snaps in his first action this preseason and missed the only tackle he had a chance to make. Pretty much a non-entity. Grade: D-
NT B.J. Raji: Raji played 25 snaps and was just sort of there. He was pushed around in the running game and made no impact in the passing game, recording no tackles or any other measurable stat. Grade: D
LOLB Jermauria Rasco: Rasco was on the field for 30 snaps and had two tackles and two stops, but also missed a tackle and committed a costly roughing the passer penalty in the red zone on a third-down play, giving Pittsburgh a new set of downs and allowing them to kill the clock at the end of the game. Grade: D
Dishonorable mention: LOLB Andy Mulumba (D+)
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