In the NFL, what you did last week rarely matters. The Pittsburgh Steelers were out to prove that in Week 3 against the New England Patriots.
Fans, analysts, and even coaches quickly shift their attention to the next kickoff, the next drive, the next test. For the Steelers, that reality hit hard after their shaky Week 2 showing against the Seattle Seahawks. A 31-17 defeat left Teryl Austin’s defense under the microscope, facing tough questions about whether it could hold up this season.
The talk wasn’t kind.
Headlines pointed out missed tackles, blown assignments, and a front seven that looked out of sync. It didn’t help that head coach Mike Tomlin emphasized the need for his group to be more “stout,” a clear sign he wasn’t thrilled with what he saw. Austin didn’t sugarcoat things either, bluntly stating that the defense simply couldn’t afford to let the same mistakes repeat themselves.
For a proud unit built on grit and reputation, it was a humbling moment.
But the beauty of football is that redemption is always one week away. And in Week 3, against a New England Patriots team breaking in quarterback Drake Maye, the Steelers’ defense finally flexed the muscle that fans expect to see in the Steel City.
The turnaround wasn’t about being perfect—it rarely is in the NFL—but about making timely, disruptive plays when the game hung in the balance. That’s exactly what Pittsburgh delivered. Four forced fumbles, an interception, five sacks, and a handful of clutch stops defined an afternoon where the defense put its stamp back on the team’s identity.
The tone was set early.
The Pittsburgh Steelers' defense must build on its season-changing Week 3 performance
Pressure came in waves, led by relentless effort from Derrick Harmon and his peers across the defensive line. Maye, to his credit, stood tall at times and strung together some impressive drives. The rising star even had a chance to spoil Pittsburgh’s afternoon with a potential game-winning march late in the fourth quarter.
For a moment, it felt almost too comfortable watching New England move the chains against a defense still fighting to prove itself.
But Pittsburgh didn’t break. On a critical fourth-and-two with the game on the line, the defense tightened up, shutting the door and sealing the win. It wasn’t pretty, but it was gritty—and that’s Steelers football.
This performance didn’t erase the concerns. Allowing Maye to march down the field as easily as he did will remain on tape, and you can bet opposing coordinators took notice. Yet, this was about more than yards allowed.
It was about resilience, confidence, and making plays when they mattered most. A defense that looked disjointed a week ago suddenly looked opportunistic and, more importantly, alive.
Criticism won’t stop in Pittsburgh—that’s the reality of playing for a franchise with six Super Bowl banners and a fan base that demands excellence. But for now, Austin’s defense has earned itself a breather. They proved that even if the start was shaky, they can still dictate outcomes.
The challenge moving forward is consistency. One inspired afternoon against the Patriots won’t mean much if it’s followed by another flat performance. But if the Steelers can build off Week 3’s spark, they might just rediscover the defensive identity that’s carried them for decades.