CHRIS BOSWELL
Placekicker
It's rare for a placekicker to be recognized as the Player of the Week, but "rare," as in difference-making, describes Chris Boswell's performance in the 18-10 victory over the Falcons in Atlanta on Sunday.
Boswell accounted for all of the Steelers points by going 6-for-6 on field goal attempts, with three of those conversions coming on kicks of more than 50 yards (57, 51, 56) on a day when the offense was without quarterback Russell Wilson and guard Isaac Seumalo. In addition to his field goals, Boswell also was pressed into service when punter Cameron Johnston sustained a knee injury on a fourth quarter punt with the Steelers protecting a 15-10 lead with 3:29 remaining. Because there was a penalty on the play that necessitated a re-kick, Boswell was pressed into action in a critical situation with no chance to punt into the net on the sideline or even catch a couple of long-snaps from Christian Kuntz. Boswell got off a 43-yard punt and then Scotty Miller made a great play to tackle returner Avery Williams for no gain at the Falcons 40-yard line.
According to the FOX broadcast, Boswell, who has converted 33-of-40 career field goals of 50-plus yards (82.5 percent) during his career, is the most accurate placekicker in NFL history from that distance.
Boswell is the Steelers Digest Player of the Week.
Also considered was T.J. Watt, who would've had a monster game if the officiating hadn't nullified a strip-sack on the play before Atlanta's only touchdown and then another sack late in the third quarter. As it was, Watt finished with 4 tackles, 1 sack, 3 hits on the quarterback, 2 tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery.
Others making significant contributions were CB Donta Jackson, who had 2 tackles, 1 interception, and 2 passes defensed; SS DeShon Elliott, who had 4 tackles, 1 interception, and 2 passes defensed; QB Justin Fields, who completed 17-of-23 (73.9 percent) for 156 yards, with no touchdowns, no interceptions, and a rating of 91.9, in addition to rushing for 57 yards on 14 carries (4.1 average); and WR George Pickens, who caught 6 passes for 85 yards (14.2 average), including receptions of 33 and 40 yards.
