The Pittsburgh Steelers haven't been without their hiccups on both sides of the ball through the first six weeks of the 2024 season. After a two-game skid against the Colts and Cowboys, Mike Tomlin's team bounced back with a convincing performance against the Raiders. Part of the reason for this is Pittsburgh's impeccable ability to keep teams out of the end zone.
The Steelers have allowed teams to march the ball downfield at times this year, but outside of a sluggish first half against Indianapolis in Week 4, their scoring defense has been fantastic.
NFL points per game allowed entering Week 7
1 LA Chargers: 13.2
2 Pittsburgh: 14.3
3 Minnesota: 15.2
4 Denver: 16.0
5 Chicago: 16.8
6 Kansas City: 17.0
7 NY Jets: 18.0
8 Detroit: 18.2
9 NY Giants: 20.2
9 Green Bay: 20.2
11 Buffalo: 21.0
12 San Francisco: 21.7
13 Tennessee: 22.0
14 Philadelphia: 22.4
15 Atlanta: 22.5
15 Houston: 22.5
17 Miami: 22.6
18 Indianapolis: 23.2
19 Cleveland: 23.5
19 Tampa Bay: 23.5
21 New England: 23.8
22 Washington: 24.2
23 New Orleans: 24.5
24 Baltimore: 24.8
25 Seattle: 25.0
26 Cincinnati: 25.3
27 Las Vegas: 27.2
27 Arizona: 27.2
29 LA Rams: 27.8
30 Dallas: 28.0
31 Jacksonville: 29.7
32 Carolina: 33.8
Through the first six weeks of the season, the Steelers have allowed a mere 14.3 points per game to their opponent. This is the second-best mark in the NFL next to only Jim Harbaugh's LA Chargers.
Keeping teams from scoring is the identity of Pittsburgh's defense, if they are to have any postseason success in 2024, it will need to come on the backs of their defense. The effort has been spearheaded by T.J. Watt, who is on track for another All-Pro season and could earn his second Defensive Player of the Year award if he can stay healthy.
What's remarkable is that Pittsburgh's opponent PPG numbers could look even better had they not allowed a touchdown to the Dallas Cowboys on what would have been a game-sealing victory on fourth down. Had the Steelers gotten the stop on this play, they would be first in the NFL in this department.
Unsurprisingly, Pittsburgh's total defense hasn't been as impressive. Tomlin's team ranks 8th in this department with 294.2 yards allowed per game. Thankfully, the most important thing your defense can do is keep their opponent out of the end zone, and Pittsburgh's red zone defense has been the best in the league entering Week 7.
There's always room for improvement, but if the offense can take a step up, Watt and the defense will be ready to compete with any team in 2024.