G · Cincinnati Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers · 65 graded snaps
Replacement
Fairchild showed strong flashes creating interior lanes in the run game, but critical breakdowns in pass protection against Pittsburgh's defensive tackles dragged his day down to a 64.7 replacement-level grade.
Fairchild's afternoon was anchored by a productive 71 run-blocking grade, highlighted early by sealing Cameron Heyward at Q1 12:25 and driving Sebastian Joseph-Day at Q1 06:38 on successful inside zone carries. However, his pass protection (61 grade) fluctuated wildly when isolated against power, surrendering an inside hit to Joseph-Day at Q2 00:39. His day was heavily penalized at Q4 07:51 on 3rd & 2, where Heyward blew through his anchor with a bull rush to directly pressure Joe Burrow and force an incompletion. Combined with a playside shed allowed to Yahya Black on 3rd & 2 at Q4 14:18, his negative snaps came in decisive situations.
Strengths
Lateral reach and seal blocking on zone runs
Initial punch on base run blocks
Tandem pass protection communication
Weaknesses
Anchoring against elite interior bull rushes
Sustaining lockout against defensive tackle sheds
Plays that moved the grade
-1.5Q4 07:51, 3rd & 2Completely collapsed by Cameron Heyward's bull rush, giving up immediate pressure that ruined the 3rd down play.
+1Q1 12:25, 2nd & 8Established lateral leverage to reach and seal Cameron Heyward, opening a lane for a 12-yard first down run.
-1Q4 14:18, 3rd & 2Shed at the point of attack by Yahya Black, allowing the primary tackle for no gain on 3rd down.
Every graded snap · 18 wins or losses, 47 routine
+1Q1 12:25 · 2 & 8 · Run blockWins against Cameron Heyward by establishing lateral leverage, turning his shoulders, and walling him inside away from the running lane.
-0.5Q1 11:41 · 1 & 10 · Run blockEngages Cameron Heyward but surrenders backward push into the B-gap, helping constrict the running lane.
+1Q1 06:38 · 3 & 2 · Run blockGets good initial punch on Joseph-Day and sustains his block through the whistle to open the running lane.
-0.5Q1 00:46 · 1 & 10 · Run blockEngages Heyward on the interior; unable to displace him or seal the running lane.
+0.5Q2 06:59 · 1 & 10 · Run blockReaches and seals #94 Yahya Black, preventing any back-side penetration into the runner's path.
+0.5Q2 01:40 · 1 & 10 · Pass blockMirrors Benton's inside charge and anchors effectively with good hand placement.
+0.5Q2 00:43 · 3 & 1 · Run blockFired out into Benton, walling him off and preventing him from shooting into the playside A-gap.
Q2 00:39 · 1 & 10 · Pass blockBeaten inside by Sebastian Joseph-Day, allowing direct pressure and a quarterback hit as the pass is released.
+0.5Q3 14:53 · 1 & 10 · Run blockStays attached to Cameron Heyward to prevent any backside pursuit into the A-gap.
+1Q3 09:36 · 2 & 10 · Run blockGets strong inside leverage and drives Heyward backward to expand the running lane.
+0.5Q3 02:37 · 1 & 10 · Pass blockSquares up Harmon, sinks his hips, and neutralizes the interior rush.
+0.5Q3 01:11 · 3 & 10 · Pass blockSolid base and hand punch inside to keep the interior rushing lane clear.
+0.5Q3 00:26 · 1 & 10 · Run blockStalwarts Yahya Black on the backside, sealing him away from the cutback lane.
-1Q4 14:18 · 3 & 2 · Run blockEngages Yahya Black heads-up but gets locked out, shed, and allows Black to make the primary tackle at the line of scrimmage.
+0.5Q4 13:33 · 4 & 2 · Pass blockWorks in tandem with Karras to control Heyward in the A/B-gap.
+0.5Q4 08:35 · 2 & 10 · Pass blockWorks in tandem with Karras to stall Heyward's interior push cleanly.
-1.5Q4 07:51 · 3 & 2 · Pass blockCompletely collapsed by Cameron Heyward's bullrush, losing anchor immediately and pushed into Burrow to blow up the 3rd down play.
+0.5Q4 00:58 · 3 & 8 · Pass blockAbsorbs Heyward's bull rush with good knee bend and a solid base, preventing interior collapse.