3 ways the Steelers defense will continue to improve

The Pittsburgh Steelers defense is quickly becoming one of the best units in the NFL. Here are three ways they will continue to improve.

I’ll be the first to admit that I was scared for the Steelers defense after their first showing of the year. Pittsburgh traveled to Foxborough where they were annihilated by the Patriots – surrendering 30 points in the first three quarters of the game.

However, over the past six weeks of the sesaon, the Steelers defense has turned around drastically. They are now top 12 in points allowed per game, pass defense, and total defense, according to Team Rankings.

This past Sunday, Pittsburgh’s defense was playing as good as ever. They managed to record 4 sacks and take the ball away four times – en route to allowing just 3 offensive points to Los Angeles (the other 9 came from a defensive score and a safety).

Steelers superstars T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick again led the charge and as they helped Pittsburgh advance to a winning record for the first time this season. Watt recorded 5 tackles, 2.0 sacks, 2 tackles for a loss, and 2 quarterback hits in Week 10 against the Rams. Meanwhile, Minkah Fitzpatrick tried to one-up him – taking the ball away twice and returning a fumble for a touchdown.

Watt and Fitzpatrick are in a two-man race for Team MVP, but there are other players who have stood out as well. Bud Dupree is having by far his best season since entering the league, and Cameron Heyward is playing as well at age 30 as he has at any point during his career.

Even with all the success the Steelers have had on defense recently, there is reason to believe they could see even more. Here are three ways the Steelers defense will continue to improve in the near future: