A change in defensive philosophy is thus far paying dividends for the Steelers
As was stated earlier, the defense has rebounded rather nicely from its sub-par performance against the Patriots to currently enjoying the 15th best defense in the NFL. So how did we get to this point? I think that requires a brief history lesson, so please bear with me.
The Steelers defense of the 1970s played a 4-3 base (4 down lineman and 3 linebackers) with Nickel (5 defensive backs) being deployed in obvious passing situations. Those alignments were the primary alignments until 1982 when the Steelers defense switched to a 3-4 base (3 down lineman and 4 linebackers).
The 3-4 is still our base defense, but the manner in which the defense is aligned has made a seismic shift, in my opinion. Through six games, the shift in defense philosophy seems to be paying dividends. Here’s what I mean by when I say a ‘seismic shift’: The defense does not resemble the defense that was a staple from 1982 to even the 2018 season.
If you have watched the Steelers defense over the last four decades as I have, you undoubtedly noticed two distinct changes: First, we are playing more ‘sub-package’ ball than we ever have played, meaning we are in something other than the base 3-4 defense to which fans have grown accustomed. For the Steelers to open up in Nickel is not uncommon. Second, when the defense is in its base 3-4, it is essentially a ‘single-high safety’ look or something akin to ‘cover 1’.
Playing ‘cover 1’ is a double-edged sword. If teams decide to bomb it over the top, that usually results in a big play for the opposing offense. Playing Nickel is also a double-edged sword as it does allow the opposing offense to run the ball more effectively than if we were in our base 3-4. So from where did this philosophical change emanate?
I don’t think it is a stretch to say that Head Coach Mike Tomlin has influenced the defensive philosophy since Dick LeBeau left the Steelers after the 2014 season. Whether or not the change in defensive philosophy will continue to bear fruit remains to be seen, but it is also not a stretch to say the defense has not only kept the Steelers in the games we have lost but has been the reason we have won two games so far this season.
Although there is room for improvement, the Steelers defense is trending upward
The Steelers defense is currently ranked 15th best in the NFL. Since it is not ranked 1st best in the NFL, there is, obviously, room for improvement. With all the adversity the Steelers have faced through the first six games of the season, it is encouraging to see the defense leading the charge to right the ship and to continue to put the team in a position to win every game from here on out.