Steelers’ Bud Dupree will play key role in generating pass rush versus Chiefs

Pittsburgh Steelers’ outside linebacker, Bud Dupree, started the third post season game of his career last weekend against the Dolphins. After spending the majority of the regular season hampered by injury, he returned in time to start when it matters most.

Between weeks fourteen and seventeen, when Dupree reclaimed his starting role full-time, the linebacker recorded 4.5 sacks. He led all AFC defenders in that statistic in the four game span. With tremendous momentum on his side, Dupree brought a pass rushing force unseen when Jarvis Jones was on the field.

Dupree gave the right side of Miami’s offensive line fits in all ten of the Steelers’ defensive drives on Sunday. He appeared in all but the final four snaps of the game when he and James Harrison were pulled in favor of Jones and Arthur Moats. Except for the handful of plays where he dropped into coverage, Dupree was relentless in pursuit to Matt Moore.

The linebacker succeeded in getting pressure on Moore as early as the first defensive drive of the game. Left unblocked, Dupree surely would have sacked Moore had he not released the pass just moments before. This would not be the last time Dupree would bring Moore to the turf.

Dupree’s explosiveness off the line is a calling card to his effectiveness as a pass rusher. He wore down Dolphins right tackle, Ja’Waun James, for four quarters. By the time the last quarter of regulation was over, James was exhausted, and his play displayed that. Dupree split his first post season sack with Harrison, which forced Miami to attempt to convert on third and long.

When the Steelers travel to Arrowhead Stadium to take on the Kansas City Chiefs this weekend, Dupree’s main opposition will be right tackle, Mitchell Schwartz. Signed from the Cleveland Browns in the 2016 offseason, Schwartz started in all of the Chiefs’ sixteen regular season games.

Schwartz defended a combination of Jones and Moats in the Steelers’ regular season game against Kansas City. The left outside linebackers were largely ineffective in that game, but that is expected to change with Dupree now in the lineup. Dupree is a far more ferocious pass rusher than Jones and Moats combined.

The offensive tackle made short work of Jones early and often in his attempt to get to Alex Smith.  Schwartz (71) is able to contain Jones as Smith goes through his progressions. Harrison was alone in his attempt to put pressure on the quarterback. Proving once again that his future on the Steelers’ defense is very dim, Jones was unable to give Schwartz any kind of challenge.

Schwartz has relinquished six sacks this season, proving that he is beatable when the right defenders are assigned to him. He has also been called on six false start penalties during the season, which could work in Dupree’s favor. If he is able to beat him off the line early, this could make Schwartz jumpy, costing Kansas City valuable yardage.

Pressuring Smith into making costly throws is how the Steelers were able to shut down Kansas City in week four. Jones’ interception deep in Kansas City’s own territory is a prime example of this. Although they are without Cam Heyward this time, the Steelers’ defense has proven they can generate pressure up front. This will also aid in thwarting attempts in the passing game.

Dupree gives the Steelers a threat on the left side of the defensive line that they lacked for much of the season. Jones, Moats, nor Anthony Chickillo ever came close to being what the Steelers needed. If he had played sixteen full games this season, it’s not outside the realm of possibilities that Dupree could have recorded double digit sack numbers.

Next: Steelers @ Chiefs: Tomlin Tuesday

Bud Dupree has proven invaluable to the Steelers’ defense since his return. If the defense wishes to emulate the game that routed Kansas City earlier in the season, they must perform well up front. With Dupree back in the starting lineup, they have a definite chance to return to the AFC Championship game for the first time since 2010.