Patrick Queen Sends Steelers Strong Challenge After Woeful Game vs. Tucker Kraft
Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Patrick Queen was emphatic that the team will fix its issues covering tight ends before playing the Indianapolis Colts.
Linebacker Patrick Queen and the Pittsburgh Steelers defense struggled considerably covering Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft in Week 8. Kraft posted seven catches for 143 receiving yards and two touchdowns in the 35-25 Green Bay victory.
That could foreshadow bad things to come for the Steelers defense. Pittsburgh will host rookie tight end star Tyler Warren and the Indianapolis Colts on November 2 in Week 9.
However, Queen vowed Sunday night the Steelers defense will fix its coverage on tight ends immediately.
The linebacker didn’t say how it would be fixed. But he essentially promised it would.
“It’s going to be resolved,” Queen said. “It’s going to be resolved this week.”
Patrick Queen, Steelers Defense Struggling to Cover Opposing TEs
The Steelers defense had so much trouble stopping the run and slowing down the Cincinnati Bengals star receivers that after Week 7, Pittsburgh’s coverage on opposing tight ends was an afterthought.
But it isn’t anymore after Kraft led the Packers in receiving and torched the Steelers defense for two scores.
Kraft, though, wasn’t the first tight end to have a big game against Mike Tomlin’s unit this season.
The Steelers also allowed New England Patriots‘ Hunter Henry and Cleveland Browns’ Harold Fannin to post at least 80 receiving yards. Furthermore, the Steelers have yielded six receiving touchdowns to tight ends in seven games this season.
With that in mind, it’s hard to foresee how Queen’s statement that the Steelers will fix the problem this week comes true. But it would certainly help the unit if the team can do a better job containing tight ends.
That’s because the Steelers will face arguably the top rookie at the position in Week 9.
In eight games, Warren already has 37 catches for 492 yards and three touchdowns for the Colts. The rookie is averaging 13.3 yards per reception.
Warren doesn’t have any massive receiving games. But he has posted more than 50 yards every week but two.
Warren has also scored all three of his touchdowns since the start of October.
Steelers Historic Bad Night vs. Tucker Kraft
Kraft broke out with 50 catches, 707 receiving yards and seven touchdowns last year. So his production against the Steelers defense didn’t come out of nowhere.
Having said that, it was an historically bad night in pass coverage against the tight end. Kraft had more yards after the catch than any other tight end in the NFL since 2018 against the Steelers on Sunday.
Kraft was also the first tight end to eclipse the 140 receiving yards mark and score twice versus the Steelers since Jackie Smith did that in 1963.
Tucker Kraft is the first TE to post 140+ yards and 2 TDs against the #Steelers since Hall of Famer Jackie Smith in 1963.
A historic night against Pittsburgh.
It also wasn’t like the Steelers were doing a good job covering all the other Packers pass-catchers besides Kraft. At one point during the second half, Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love completed 20 consecutive passes.
It’s unknown where that stands all time in Packers history. But Brett Favre only had one consecutive passes streak of 20 in his career, and Aaron Rodgers never completed 20 passes in a row with Green Bay.
The Steelers have a lot to fix on defense. Covering opposing tight ends, though, appears to be one of the biggest things after Sunday.
Nick Sirianni Addresses NFL Trade Deadline, Eagles Eyeing Defensive Upgrades with Targets Like Alontae Taylor and Ja'Quan McMillian
As the NFL trade deadline approaches, Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni has confirmed that the team is actively exploring potential moves to strengthen their defense. With the defense being a focal point for improvement, the Eagles are reportedly eyeing several key targets, including cornerback Alontae Taylor of the New Orleans Saints and safety Ja'Quan McMillian of the Denver Broncos.
Sirianni acknowledged the importance of the trade deadline and the team’s efforts to bolster the defense. "We’re always looking at ways to improve," Sirianni said during a recent press conference. "The trade deadline is a time when you have to evaluate your team, assess where you can get better, and make the necessary moves to strengthen your roster. We’re doing that right now."
The Eagles' defense has shown solid play this season but could benefit from added depth, particularly in the secondary. Taylor, a promising young cornerback for the Saints, has been identified as a potential target due to his ability to lock down receivers and his physicality. Similarly, McMillian, a rising star in Denver's secondary, is considered an intriguing option with his speed and ability to disrupt passing lanes.
“We know we’ve got a strong team, but if there’s an opportunity to improve, especially in key areas like the secondary, we’re going to explore it,” Sirianni added. “Alontae and Ja'Quan are both talented players who could bring something extra to our defense. But at the end of the day, it’s about making the right decision for the team, both for the short-term and the long-term.”
With the Eagles sitting in a competitive NFC, reinforcing their defense could be crucial as they aim to make a deep playoff run. Sirianni’s comments suggest that the team is actively evaluating all options leading up to the trade deadline, ensuring that any acquisition is a step forward in their championship pursuit.
As the deadline draws nearer, the Eagles' front office will continue to assess potential trades that could enhance their defense, with Taylor and McMillian among the top names on their radar. How the team moves forward in these final days before the trade deadline will likely play a major role in shaping the Eagles' postseason aspirations.
