Defense has plenty to work on after 51-34 defeat
allowed more plays of 50plus yards than any team in the league in 2017 allowed another — an 82-yard catch-and-run touchdown by receiver Jake Kumerow that resulted from a missed pass breakup from cornerback Brian Allen. Kumerow ran past safety Nat Berhe and easily pulled away.
On top of that, the Packers began each half the same way — intercepting a Steelers quarterback for a touchdown.
“We lost leverage too much in coverage, particularly on possession downs,” Tomlin said. “You can’t do that. Leverage is a big element of football. I thought we didn’t do a good enough job there. I didn’t think we did a good enough job of pressuring and containing the quarterback. I thought that was significant early on possession downs.”
Keep eye on Washington
Rookie receiver James Washington continues to show his amazing ability to go up and over defensive backs to win contested catches.
He did it twice against the Packers on his touchdown catches of 19 and 22 yards, snatching the ball away from cornerbacks Demetri Goodson and then Herb Waters. Washington did the same thing last week on a 34-yard reception against the Philadelphia Eagles.
“He has strong hands,” said quarterback Josh Dobbs, who threw the touchdown passes to Washington. “We see it in practice. When he’s singled up one on one, just put the ball in his area and let him go up and make the play.”
Washington led all receivers with five catches for 114 yards that included a 54yard reception to set up another touchdown.
‘Full speed ahead’
Outside linebacker Bud Dupree played his first game at his new position on the right side and had one of the three sacks against the Packers.
That’s what the Steelers are hoping to see from Dupree, a former No. 1 pick. They moved him to that side because they think coming from the quarterback’s blind side will allow him to get more sacks with his outside rushes.
But Dupree also knows he will be facing more left tackles, typically the best players on the offensive line.
“It’s full speed ahead on right side,” Dupree said. “He won’t be able to see me that fast as he does on his throwing side.”
Injury update
About the only injury of note from the game was to rookie offensive tackle Chukwuma Okorafor, who is having his shoulder evaluated, Tomlin said.