The highest-paid defensive unit in the National Football League is struggling. How does that sound to a yinzer or any Steelers fan, for that matter? Painful, right?
The Pittsburgh Steelers have one of the star-studded offensive and defensive units in the league, but seeing them lose by 14 points was quite disheartening to some fans. In the Week 1 game against the New York Jets, Aaron Rodgers and the team registered a narrow win, but in the so-called revenge game of DK Metcalf, they struggled not just in the offense but in defense.
Just hours before the Week 2 game, the Steelers’ star linebacker, TJ Watt, confessed that their previous game was “awful,” and the Steelers’ defense again proved that something ain’t right. That’s why Watt has pointed out many drawbacks in the defensive plays of the team and also pointed out two important positive traits that he thinks can lead the team to higher levels and ranks in the league.
TJ Watt Just Took Another Jab at the Steelers’ Defense
As per reports by Blitzburgh, when Watt was asked about the defeat against the Seattle Seahawks, he replied, “The first note of every single week is ‘smash the run,’ and you guys have heard me say for nine years, we’re always trying to smash the run, and it’s not a lack of trying, schematically, effort.” The 30-year-old star defender also added, “I don’t know. We’ll have to look at the film, but we need to be better, and we need to look in the mirror. We need to turn over every stone that we possibly can because this can’t continue to happen.”
In the Week 1 game, the Steelers’ defense allowed 394 yards to the Jets’ offense, which was quite the worst. And in the Seahawks game, the T.J. Watt-led defense allowed 395 yards, per ESPN data, which was 128 yards more than the Seahawks’ defense. That’s why Watt took a jab at his unit, saying, “Clearly it’s the same issues that are rearing their head from last week, and in the NFL you don’t have time to go back after each and every game and make the adjustments.”
He also added, “You need to make the adjustments before they happen, and if they happen in-game, before they’re allowed to continue to snowball like they did today, and like they did last week. I’m sure there’s a multitude of different reasons why this is happening,” per Steelers Depot. Watt knows what mistakes they are making. But while admitting the flaws, the star linebacker also pointed out two key positive factors.
TJ Watt Identifies the Two Biggest Weapons Driving Steelers’ Defense
While talking to reporters, admitting that their team is struggling to stop the run game of opponents, Watt also added, “I’m sure there’s a multitude of different reasons why this is happening, but we’re way too talented. We have way too good of schemes to allow this to continue to happen week after week.” According to Alan Saunders of the Steelers Now, the Steelers have always been a team that primarily runs Cover 3, prioritizing stopping the run over softer zone coverages like Cover 2. But there is another option that is becoming more popular around the NFL that could be a fit for the Steelers, and that’s Cover 4 or quarters.
The Pittsburgh Steelers stick with their trademark 3-4 defense, built on three big guys up front and four linebackers behind them. This setup gives the team plenty of ways to mix things up, whether it’s bringing heat with blitzes or disguising coverages to keep offenses guessing. The real strength of the unit is the pass rush. With quick edge rushers and smartly timed stunts, the Steelers constantly pressure quarterbacks, leading to sacks or hurried throws.
In the secondary, physical play and sharp instincts make a big difference. Coaches trust safeties to read plays fast and help against both deep passes and the run game. The Steelers like to rotate between zone coverages like Cover 2 or Cover 3 and man-to-man looks depending on the situation. Every week, the coaching staff tweaks the game plan to match the opponent. Sometimes focusing on stopping the run, other times loading up against the pass. That balance of aggression and discipline is what helps limit big plays and keeps Pittsburgh’s defense among the toughest in the league.
This is the overview of what the Steelers have known for years. Now, the real deal would be TJ Watt and the defensive unit using this cleverly to register big wins.