Pittsburgh Steelers: Studs and duds vs. Jets in Week 16
By Samuel Teets
Stud: Diontae Johnson, WR
After a questionably slow start to his rookie season, Johnson caught fire during the second half of the season. Sunday was Johnson’s sixth game with six receiving yards or more. He has 55 receptions, 626 receiving yards, and five receiving touchdowns this season. That’s not bad, considering he’s being thrown to by backup quarterbacks.
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Against the Jets, Johnson made eight receptions for 81 yards and Pittsburgh’s only touchdown. James Washington finished second in receiving for Pittsburgh with 41 yards. With things coming apart late in the season, at least Pittsburgh discovered Johnson’s potential.
Dud: Benny Snell Jr., RB
The Jets do have one of the best run defenses in the NFL, but Snell couldn’t even break one decent run. Snell does have three good performances this season, but the rookie, fourth-round pick went nowhere against the Jets. Snell’s last worthwhile game came in Week 13.
Against New York, Snell carried the ball seven times for 14 yards. Again, the Jets boast one of the five best run defenses in the league, but averaging two yards per carry when a spot in the postseason is on the line is inexcusable.
James Connor deserves some of the blame for Pittsburgh’s issues this season. After performing at a Pro Bowl level in 2018, Conner can’t even stay on the field for a full game. He left Sunday’s matchup early and did not return.
Before leaving, Connor carried the ball six times for 32 yards. While Conner isn’t a perennial Pro Bowl player, he’s far more serviceable than Pittsburgh’s other backs. Of course, that’s meaningless if Conner never plays.