The loss of Bud Dupree, nagging injuries to T.J. Watt and the absence of Stephon Tuitt have all conspired to jeopardize the Steelers’ chances of leading the league in sacks for a fifth consecutive year, which would extend the NFL record they set last year.
It has also conspired to send their defense into an uncharacteristic tailspin that has seen them allow 82 points and 903 total yards the past two games and 722 yards rushing in the past four.
Maybe it’s time to revert to some old Dick LeBeau tactics and bring back their fire-zone blitzes, which have all but disappeared from the defense.
And this is a good week to do it.
The Miami Dolphins showed last month how to defend the Ravens offense in general and Lamar Jackson in particular in a stunning 22-10 victory. They consistently blitzed six players and played man coverage behind it, giving Jackson a number of cover-zero looks that quarterbacks often like to see. But the Ravens did not have any answers to combat it.
Jackson was sacked four times, hit on seven other occasions and didn’t have time to make plays down the field. He completed just one pass longer than 15 yards.
The Steelers, though, have been reluctant to do that, preferring to rush the pocket mostly with four players and, on occasion, five. Part of the reason is because they appear hesitant to leave their cornerbacks in man coverage, especially when Joe Haden is out.
“When you do that, when you run the fire zones, you stress your secondary a little bit,” defensive coordinator Keith Butler said. “You don’t want to always stress them all the time because they’ll find you if you do in terms of throws and touchdowns and stuff like that.
“Perfect example was the Chargers game. We had a chance to beat them, and then we didn’t get where we might’ve should’ve been on that last long play for us, and it hurt us. You can’t live off of that all the time because if you do, then you’re being unfair to your secondary a little bit and not giving them a breather.”
But they need to do something, change up some schemes, to increase the pressure on the quarterback, especially if they will be facing the Ravens without Watt. It has been nothing like it was last year.
In 2020, the Steelers led the league in sacks (56), quarterback knockdowns (80), frequency of knockdowns (15.2 percent), quarterback pressures (213) and frequency of pressures (35.1). They were second in hurries (77) and third in blitz percentage (40.3).
But the percentage of times they have blitzed this season has dropped significantly — to 23.1 percent, which ranks 21st in the league. Consequently, so have the number of hurries (45, 18th in the league), pressures (102, 21st in league), quarterback knockdowns (27, 26th) and sacks (30, tied 5th).
And it’s not as though they are rushing the pocket less to protect against the run. Not after they’ve allowed an average of 180.4 yards rushing the past four games.
The Steelers don’t have the personnel to change what they want to do. So it’s time to change how they do it.
As a famous coach once said, “What you can't do is continue to do the things that you've been doing and expect a different result.”
Practice playlist
Chase Claypool is suggesting the Steelers play music at practice as a way to lighten the mood and let the players have fun. That was his solution in light of recent comments by his teammates indicating the team needs to practice better during this three-game winless streak.
So, before Cam Heyward had a chance to shoot that suggestion out of the air like a clay pigeon, it seemed like a good idea to develop a playlist that would have been appropriate for the Steelers, given their current state.
Here it is:
• “Help!” (Beatles) – They need it.
• “Livin’ on a Prayer” (Bon Jovi) – Playoff chances.
• “Changes” (David Bowie) – Necessary.
• “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” (U2) – Running game.
• “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” (Beach Boys) – To see some points.
• “Bennie and the Jets” (Elton John) – Another jet sweep???
• “Under Pressure” (Bowie) – Not enough on defense.
• “Purple Rain” (Prince) – That’s what’s coming.
• “Stayin’ Alive” (Bee Gees) – That’s the idea.
• “California Dreamin’ (Mamas and Papas) – That might be the reality
• “Rock ‘n Roll All Night” (Kiss) – Only because that song works anytime, anywhere.
Gerry Dulac: gdulac@post-gazette.com and Twitter @gerrydulac.
First Published: December 3, 2021, 4:22 p.m.
Updated: December 3, 2021, 4:23 p.m.
