Steelers’ defense rounding into shape
PITTSBURGH – If dominating defensive efforts in wins over the Browns and Andrew Luck-less Colts didn’t restore faith that the Steelers defense is turning the corner, then Sunday’s game against the New York Giants should.
With Eli Manning and a solid group of receivers led by All-Pro Odell Beckham Jr., the Giants presented a big challenge for Pittsburgh’s young defense.
Let the record show that the Steelers were up to the task in this game.
Pittsburgh’s offense scored 24 points, a decent output, and controlled the clock with a running game that produced 117 yards on 30 attempts. That’s not a bad effort against a New York team that came into the game as one of the toughest run defenses in the NFL.
But the story of this 24-14 victory was a Pittsburgh defense that limited the Giants to 234 total yards and two touchdowns, one of which came with 26 seconds remaining.
While strong defensive outings against the Browns and Colts could be overlooked because of a weaker opponent, this one cannot.
With the addition of rookies Artie Burns, Sean Davis and Javon Hargrave, the Steelers might finally be putting a defense on the field that is capable of winning a game when the offense has a less-than-stellar outing.
“I just think we’re finding our rhythm,” said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. “I think we’re gaining continuity with the mix of guys who are playing. The young guys are growing up. And (by) young guys, I mean Hargrave, Burns and Davis.”
There’s been a lot of growth and the arrow is pointing up for the Steelers.
Burns and Davis, the team’s top two draft picks, have played their way through some rookie growing pains in the secondary to add some much-needed speed and playmaking ability to what had been a leaky secondary in previous seasons.
They were part of a defensive effort that held Manning to 195 yards passing and picked him off twice, including the first of Davis’ young career.
Yes, Beckham had 10 receptions, but only one of those came in the first half. Even when the Giants started trying to force the ball to their star wideout in the second half, he didn’t have much of an impact.
While Beckham had 100 receiving yards, Manning’s other 14 completions went for 95 yards as the Steelers played physically and were fast to the ball.
“Artie is playing well. Sean Davis is playing well,” said cornerback Ross Cockrell. “We are going to need those rookies to continue to play like veterans for us.”
Hargrave, who has started at nose tackle since the beginning of the season, left the game in the first half with a concussion, but he also has been a big part of this defensive resurgence that has seen the Steelers allow just four touchdowns in the past three games.
Also a plus is the players realizing they don’t have to try to do everything. They need to trust the system in place and rely on the calls defensive coordinator Keith Butler is making.
“I think everybody is just understanding and doing a better job of doing their job,” said inside linebacker Ryan Shazier, who previously was one of the key offenders, trying to be Superman on every play. “I don’t know if we’re clicking. It’s just guys trying to do their job and not trying to do too much. That’s really been helping us make plays.”
The defensive unit has grown from the knowledge that guys are going to be where they are supposed to be, so nobody needs to do anything but their own job,.
That was never more apparent than on Lawrence Timmons’ key interception at the Pittsburgh 2 midway through the second quarter. Shazier had the initial coverage at the line of tight end Larry Donnell. He then passed him off to Timmons in his zone. Manning saw Donnell flash open but didn’t see Timmons jump into the passing lane.
“We were in a zone-type defense. I tried to slow up their man because it throws off the timing,” said Shazier. “Lawrence was right in the position he needed to be.
“I’m not going to say I baited Eli. If I baited him, I guess I did. But I was just trying to mess up their timing and it worked out well for us.”
It’s been working well. And it needs to continue to progress if the Steelers are going to continue their push for the playoffs.
“I wouldn’t say it’s a signature day,” said outside linebacker James Harrison, who had his fifth sack in the past five games. “We had a good day. What we need to do is grow from this.”
Dale Lolley can be reached at dlolley@observer-reporter.com.