3 things we learned from Steelers Week 1 win over Bills

Steelers defense showed up to play vs. Bills

With the offense struggling in the first half, as evidenced by the fact Pittsburgh scored a total of zero points, the defense was able to hold the Bills to 10 points during that same timeframe. It was frankly upsetting the Steelers gave up a touchdown late in the second quarter because, up to that point, the defense was playing lights out.

T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh’s first-round pick in the 2017 draft, had two of the three sacks Pittsburgh’s defense generated on the day. Cameron Heyward, a veteran first-round pick in the 2011 draft, had the other sack.

While sacks are the not the “be all and end all” of a defense, it is nevertheless an integral part.

Related Story: T.J. Watt shows why Steelers paid him ‘big bucks’ vs. Bills

Since 1978, the year I started watching Steelers football with an understanding about what I was seeing unfold on the field, defense has thrived on big plays, whether it be a sack, a forced fumble, or an interception.

I think what we learned against the Bills was this: Despite not firing on all cylinders, the defense kept Pittsburgh in the game until the offense found its footing.

It’s only one game, and the Steelers have work to do on both sides of the ball, but I think the other thing we learned on defense was there’s a championship-quality defense that may just be able to put Pittsburgh over the top more times than not. I certainly hope it’s more times than fewer times, but for this game, the “D” came to play, played well and won.