The Steelers defense is a formidable unit
Similar to the Steelers offense which ranks 5th in points scored per game, the ‘D’ currently sits at 6th in yards allowed per game, so not quite exactly like the offense, but pretty close. As was the case during the 2019 season, the defense under Keith Butler, our DC who has been with us since 2003, is playing at a high level.
Along with the 6th raking in yards allowed per game, the defense ranks 5th in passing yards allowed and 9th in rushing yards allowed. I think the rushing yards we gave up to the Ravens hurt our average quite a bit. For those of us old enough to remember the ‘blitzberg’ defenses, you will be proud of the fact that the Steelers ‘D’ ranks first in sacks with 32. The defense is also tied for first with 11 INTs.
The aforementioned defensive stats are also part of the reason the Steelers are undefeated through the first eight games of the season. As far as who has been the most consistent player on defense, the nod goes to T.J. Watt, our OLB extraordinaire. Watt is tied for 4th in sacks with 7 and has defended 6 passes.
The Steelers ‘D’ as a unit has been playing really well, but we are not without our flaws. As I have stated many times before, this predilection to play ‘Cover 1’, a.k.a. ‘Single-High Safety’ maybe our undoing as we forge ahead in the second half of the season. It is effective against the run, but if a team spreads us out and decides to throw the ball, we would be susceptible to a big play.
Let’s wrap up this discussion by looking at the state of our coaching.