There are times as an educator, something I was for 16 years, when you see that stack of quizzes or tests sitting on your desk and you just have to wait to grade them. Sometimes it is based on the fact you just haven’t carved out time to dive into the grading process, and other times you have a strong feeling the class, as a whole, didn’t do well on this assignment.

When it comes to grading the Pittsburgh Steelers Week 18 game vs. the Baltimore Ravens, it was more the former than anything else. As always, I felt the best course of action was to just wait a bit, let the dust settle, and then visit the grades without the emotions of the game still fresh in my mind.

Did it improve the grades much? For the first time in a while, it did. Time to get out the red pen and try to make grade out this game…

Offense

The Steelers offense didn’t put up 30 points like they had the previous two starts by Mason Rudolph, but they made enough plays to win the game. Some might say the quarterback going 18/20 should equate in a better grade, but the only reason this grade isn’t an ‘A’ is the fact the offense put the ball on the turf too many times, and lost two of them. That’s two too many, in my opinion. The conditions were bad, but you have to protect the football.

Grade: B+

Defense

The defense lost their best player in T.J. Watt, and were able to get some help from some unlikely sources. Mark Robinson and Eric Rowe forcing fumbles were turning points in the game. Outside of one Ravens drive, the Steelers defense did the job against the Baltimore back-ups. Stronger tests await, but the defense passed the test in Week 18 to punch their ticket to the playoffs.

Grade: A

Special Teams

This grade is all Pressley Harvin III. Chris Boswell made all his kicks, and Harvin has done a good job holding, but his work as a punter has left a lot to be desired. I fully expect an open competition this offseason, but it is unlikely we see anyone different punting the ball for the rest of the season. However, as I type this the Steelers added Brad Wing to their practice squad. Maybe there is a chance the team turns the punting duties over to someone else and states Harvin has an injury?

Grade: C+

Coaching

The Steelers came into a game they had to win, and the conditions were anything but ideal. The plan they put in place worked, and the team executed said plan to near perfection. Bemoan the lack of scoring or the turnovers, and all that matters in this game, in those conditions, was to win and keep yourself alive in the playoff race. The Steelers did just that, and got the help necessary.

Grade: A

I honestly can’t believe the Steelers got said help and are preparing for a Wild Card game in the AFC Playoffs. It’s a testament to everyone who has a hand in how this team performs on a week-in and week-out basis. Should this grade have been an ‘A’? Many will argue for that, but the turnovers and special team blunders dock the grade slightly. Still a winning performance, and a passing grade.

Overall Grade: B+

Would you have graded the game differently? Let us know what I got right, and wrong, in the comment section below, and be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes as they prepare for the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card Round.