4 takeaways from Steelers dominant defensive display in win vs Browns
By Tommy Jaggi
The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Cleveland Browns on the road in Week 8. Here are my four biggest takeaways from the Week 8 victory.
What a ride the 2021 season has been for Steelers fans. Pittsburgh defeated the Buffalo Bills on the road in Week 1 before losing three straight games. However, they followed up those losses with three consecutive wins — their most recent coming in Week 8 against the Cleveland Browns.
There is plenty to digest following the Steelers most recent win over their divisional opponent this week, but the victory puts them back in the hunt for a Wild Card spot this year with the AFC North title not out of the question. Here are the four biggest things we learned from Pittsburgh’s road victory in Cleveland:
Steelers defense stepped up to the plate
Everyone has been getting on the Steelers defense this year — believing they have taken a step back from being the dominant unit they were in 2019 and 2020. However, that didn’t appear to be the case in Week 8. Though they had yet another game without an interception, this unit was incredibly strong against one of the best rushing attacks in the league.
Star defender T.J. Watt deserves a bulk of the credit after a brilliant performance. Watt seemed to get involved in the action early and often and put ample pressure on quarterback Baker Mayfield. By the end of the day, the former Defensive Player of the Year candidate finished with 6 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 3 quarterback hits, 1 tackle for a loss, and a huge fumble recovery, via ESPN.
Collectively, this unit held Nick Chubb to 3.8 yards per carry and surrendered just 96 rushing yards and 225 passing yards on the afternoon. Looking fresh after their Week 7 bye, this defense can be as good as any unit in the NFL, and they are starting to show it.