T · Cincinnati Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers · 65 graded snaps
Solid
Mims delivered an outstanding pass-protection display against T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, though two costly procedural penalties held back an otherwise dominant performance.
Mims excelled in pass protection (78 facet grade), consistently stonewalling Pittsburgh's premier pass rushers and allowing zero pressure across 43 pass-blocking snaps. He anchored clean pockets on critical scoring plays, running T.J. Watt around the arc on a 28-yard touchdown strike (Q2 00:39) and neutralizing Alex Highsmith on fourth down for a 25-yard score (Q4 13:33). In the run game (66 facet grade), he executed reliably on the backside, including an effective seal on Watt to sprung a 12-yard gain (Q1 12:25). However, severe procedural errors dragged his grade down, specifically an illegal formation penalty that erased a 13-yard third-down conversion (Q2 11:36) and a red-zone false start (Q3 08:53).
Strengths
Perimeter anchor vs. speed rushers
Pass set depth and length
Backside run cutoffs
Weaknesses
Pre-snap alignment and cadence discipline
Plays that moved the grade
-2Q2 11:36, 3rd & 4Lined up too deep off the line of scrimmage, drawing an illegal formation penalty that wiped out a 13-yard third-down conversion.
+1Q2 00:39, 1st & 10Set cleanly against T.J. Watt and guided him harmlessly around the pocket to allow a 28-yard touchdown pass.
+1Q4 13:33, 4th & 2Stonewalled Alex Highsmith off the edge on fourth down, giving up zero penetration on a 25-yard touchdown throw.
Every graded snap · 28 wins or losses, 37 routine
+0.5Q1 12:25 · 2 & 8 · Run blockMaintains inside leverage and seals Watt away from chasing down the play from behind.
+0.5Q1 11:02 · 2 & 11 · Pass blockExecutes a clean vertical pass set and pushes Highsmith up and around the pocket.
+0.5Q1 07:20 · 2 & 9 · Pass blockQuick vertical pass set against T.J. Watt, punches with good leverage and walls off the rush.
+0.5Q1 00:04 · 2 & 10 · Pass blockGood pass set against Nick Herbig, using length to seal the outside path.
-2Q2 11:36 · 3 & 4 · Pass blockLined up too far off the line of scrimmage, drawing an illegal formation penalty that wipes out a 13-yard third-down conversion.
+0.5Q2 06:59 · 1 & 10 · Run blockWashes his assignment out of the C-gap lane, keeping the point of attack firm and unobstructed.
+0.5Q2 05:38 · 1 & 10 · Pass blockRides T.J. Watt deep around the arc and past Burrow's launch point to maintain a clean pocket.
Q2 01:40 · 1 & 10 · Pass blockMaintains solid balance and punch to stonewall Highsmith's edge rush attempt.
+0.5Q2 01:15 · 1 & 10 · Pass blockFrames Alex Highsmith well off the right edge, matching his speed rush and giving up no ground.
+0.5Q2 00:43 · 3 & 1 · Run blockAnchored firmly against Watt on the backside, denying any quick penetration or pursuit.
+1Q2 00:39 · 1 & 10 · Pass blockSets cleanly against T.J. Watt, anchoring and running him up and around the pocket well past the quarterback.
+0.5Q3 13:11 · 1 & 15 · Pass blockCombines with a chip from Sample to anchor firmly and push T.J. Watt harmlessly past the pocket depth.
+0.5Q3 12:29 · 2 & 2 · Pass blockSecures the edge against Sawyer, pushing him well past the depth of the drop.
+0.5Q3 11:01 · 2 & 7 · Pass blockSolid pass set vs Jack Sawyer, anchoring well and stonewalling the edge rush.
+0.5Q3 10:17 · 3 & 2 · Pass blockMatches Herbig's speed rush smoothly and runs him past the pocket to keep Burrow clean.
+0.5Q3 10:11 · 4 & 2 · Pass blockSets firmly against T.J. Watt on the edge, keeping the pocket clean on Burrow's front side.
+0.5Q3 09:40 · 1 & 10 · Pass blockExecutes a well-timed kickslide against T.J. Watt to maintain width and keep the edge clean.
-1.5Q3 08:53 · 3 & 4 · Pass blockFlinches and moves prematurely prior to the snap at 00:08.800, committing a false start penalty on 3rd & 4 in the red zone.
+0.5Q3 08:31 · 3 & 9 · Pass blockMatches T.J. Watt's speed rush to the outside arc, pushing him past the dropback depth without allowing pressure.
+0.5Q3 02:37 · 1 & 10 · Pass blockUses his length to punch and stall Herbig on the perimeter, giving Burrow an open throwing platform.
+0.5Q3 01:11 · 3 & 10 · Pass blockTakes on T.J. Watt on the perimeter, neutralizing the speed rush with good length and footwork.
+1Q4 13:33 · 4 & 2 · Pass blockAnchors firmly against Highsmith's rush, giving up zero penetration on the right edge.
+0.5Q4 08:35 · 2 & 10 · Pass blockDelivers an effective punch and holds his ground against Watt on the perimeter.
+1Q4 07:51 · 3 & 2 · Pass blockAnchors and runs T.J. Watt deep past the pocket off the edge, protecting the right side cleanly.
+0.5Q4 02:08 · 1 & 10 · Pass blockMirrors Highsmith effectively on the edge, locking him out of the play.
+0.5Q4 02:00 · 1 & 10 · Pass blockUsed his length and wide set to keep Watt on the outside track away from the pocket.
+0.5Q4 01:25 · 2 & 14 · Pass blockDeep vertical set pushes Alex Highsmith well outside the pocket path.
+0.5Q4 00:58 · 3 & 8 · Pass blockExecutes a balanced kick slide, absorbing Watt's speed rush and steering him safely behind Burrow's launch point.