4 takeaways from Pittsburgh Steelers gritty win vs Ravens in Week 13

Steelers linebackers are still an issue

Since a career-ending injury to former Pro Bowl linebacker, Ryan Shazier, the Steelers have really struggled to get consistent quality play from their off-ball linebackers. Though they would shine on occasion, this has really been one of the weakest positions on the team and the weak link of the defense in recent years.

Against the Chargers and Bengals in back-to-back weeks, Devin Bush was abysmal. Fortunately, he wasn’t such a liability against the Ravens, and, at first glance, he seemed to have taken a step in the right direction this week. However, it was his counterpart, Joe Schobert, did not have a good game this week.

While the veteran linebacker came up and made a few nice plays against the run, Schobert was picked on in the passing game, and he was responsible for letting his man get across his face far too often.

Pittsburgh’s linebackers have been a liability in this season against both the run and the pass. It’s hard to find too many faults with Keith Butler’s defense in an overall very good performance against Lamar Jackson, but the linebacker play is still concerning.