Heading into the bye week, the Steelers defense is reaching new heights

The Steelers defense is reaching new heights as it heads into a much-needed bye week

Through six games of the 2019 NFL season, the Steelers defense is currently ranked 15th in yards per game, according to the official website of the NFL. Following an abysmal performance against the New England Patriots in the inaugural game of the season, the Steelers defense is reaching new heights as the team heads into the bye week.

Who would have thought the Steelers defense would have rebounded to achieve the ranking they presently enjoy after surrendering 465 total net yards and giving up 33 points to the Patriots?  Not me, that’s for sure.

In fact, after being able to generate alone sack and to force no INTs, I was left with the feeling of ‘doom and gloom,’ expecting the defense to continue to play the entire season the way they played against the Patriots.

I know that’s a bit of an overreaction; however, the defense just did not look good in the first contest.  Thankfully, they got better as the season progressed.  In fact, the Steelers defense is now generating sacks and creating turnovers at an impressive clip.

We will explore those two areas of the defense shortly, but, I think it’s fair to say that after the performance in week one, the Steelers defense has become the strength of the team.  In the wins against the Bengals and against the Chargers, the defense played inspired football, turning in two of the best outings thus far this season.

Let’s explore the above mentioned as well as other defensive statistics.