Steelers vs. Rams: Who Emerged as Winners and Losers?

The Pittsburgh Steelers emerged as winners in their 24-17 victory against the Los Angeles Rams, with standout performances from T.J. Watt, Chris Boswell, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Dan Moore Jr., and the red zone offense. However, the Steelers' corners and run defense were identified as the losers of the game, along with the struggling third-down offense.

The Pittsburgh Steelers secured a 24-17 victory against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday afternoon. Let's take a look at the winners and losers from the game.

Starting with the winners, T.J. Watt stood out with an impressive interception of Rams' QB Matthew Stafford in the first half. His play resulted in a short field for the Steelers, leading to their first touchdown of the day. Despite a costly offsides penalty, Watt's overall impact on the game was positive.

Chris Boswell was the standout kicker, making a 53-yard field goal while the Rams' Brett Maher missed three attempts. Boswell's reliability as a source of points for the Steelers is unmatched, and he now holds the record for the most 50-plus yard field goals in Steelers' history.

Minkah Fitzpatrick may not have made flashy plays, but his tackling and run defense were excellent. He consistently made stops and proved to be a reliable asset for the Steelers.

Dan Moore Jr., who faced criticism for being chosen over rookie OT Broderick Jones, held his own in the game. He played well against the Rams' pass rush and showed improvement in handling bull and power rushes. Moore's performance justified the team's decision to start him.

The Steelers' red zone offense was a winner in this game. They entered the game without a rushing touchdown and had only scored two red zone touchdowns all season. However, they managed to score three rushing touchdowns and went 3-for-3 in the red zone. QB Kenny Pickett, along with RBs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, all found the end zone.

Speaking of Pickett, he struggled in the first three quarters but came up big in the fourth quarter. He led touchdown drives and made critical throws downfield when it mattered most. Pickett's ability to perform under pressure solidified his position as the Steelers' starting quarterback.

Moving on to the losers, the Steelers' cornerbacks struggled in this game. Levi Wallace had a particularly rough performance, but all three corners, including Patrick Peterson and Joey Porter Jr., allowed crucial yards after the catch (YAC). Their inability to prevent receivers from gaining extra yards was a significant issue. The Steelers' secondary needs improvement, and cornerback should be a priority in the offseason.

The Steelers' run defense was also a disappointment. While they didn't allow any long runs, the Rams consistently won the line of scrimmage and gained additional yardage at the end of plays. Minkah Fitzpatrick, playing in a more traditional free safety role, was the team's best run defender, often having to make stops in the box.

The third down offense was another area of concern for the Steelers. They struggled to sustain drives and convert on third downs throughout the game. At one point, they were 1-for-7 on third down late in the third quarter. Although they improved in the fourth quarter, finishing the game 4-for-11, there is still room for improvement in this area.

Overall, the Steelers' victory against the Rams had its share of winners and losers. While there were standout performances from players like Watt, Boswell, and Pickett, there are areas that need improvement, such as the cornerback position and third down offense. The team will need to address these issues moving forward.