Steelers out to test improved run defense against Browns
Jaguars running back Jordan Todman looks for room around Steelers linebacker Lawrence Timmons Sunday. Jacksonville found little room to run, gaining 56 rushing yards against Pittsburgh.
Defensive end Brett Keisel and the rest of the Steelers defense struggled against Cleveland’s rush offense in the season opener at Heinz Field.
Apparently, all of the pieces are now fitting together for the Steelers defense.
Gashed on the ground for 193 yards in the opener by Cleveland and 157 yards by Baltimore in Week 2, the Steelers allowed just 163 rushing yards in their past three games, including 56 yards in a 17-9 victory at Jacksonville Sunday.
As a result, a defense that was allowing 178 yards per game through two weeks, reduced that number to a more respectable 101.8 yards per game.
The issue early on, at least according to the Steelers, was a defense with several new starters had players who weren’t where they were supposed to be when filling their gaps at the line of scrimmage.
“When we’re in the right spots and everyone is communicating, we’re a tough team to beat,” said Steelers free safety Mike Mitchell.
The Steelers (3-2) will get an opportunity to show if they have, in fact, fixed issues with their run defense when they travel to Cleveland for a rematch with the Browns (2-3) this Sunday.
“I feel like our defensive linemen took responsibility of just controlling the line of scrimmage and making it easier for our second-level guys, like myself, to come up and make the play. They have done an awesome job,” said linebacker Lawrence Timmons.
The difference is noticeable.
After allowing eight runs of 15 or more yards in their first two games, the Steelers allowed just two in their past three games, one of which came Sunday against the Jaguars when rookie Storm Johnson had a 20-yard gain in the third quarter.
That play was the highlight of Jacksonville’s offensive output in a game in which the Jaguars managed just 243 total yards and 12 first downs.
Cleveland should offer more of a challenge.
Not only did the Browns rush for nearly 200 yards in a 30-27 loss to the Steelers Sept. 7, they continue to run the ball well. Cleveland ranks fourth in the NFL averaging 143.3 yards rushing per game, including 175 on 36 carries in a 29-28 come-from-behind victory at Tennessee that was eerily similar to the opener at Pittsburgh.
Tennessee led 28-10 at the half, only to see the Browns use a no-huddle attack that runs plays every 20 to 25 seconds and keeps the defense on its heels.
It was a simliar approach to what the Browns did against the Steelers, coming back from a 27-3 deficit to tie the game with 24 unanswered points before the Steelers kicked a game-winning field goal as time expired.
Part of the issue for the Steelers in that game was communication. Since the Browns were running to the line of scrimmage after every play and snapping the ball quickly, Pittsburgh had trouble making sure everyone knew what defense the team was running.
Timmons, who is in charge of calling the defenses, said that issue was rectified.
“We’ve been working on the no-huddle and I feel like we’ve gotten better week by week,” Timmons said. “I know we are ready.”
After allowing 243 yards to the Jaguars, the Steelers rank 10th in the league in total defense, allowing 330.8 yards per game. … The Steelers opened as two-point underdogs against the Browns, the first time since Nov. 23, 2003 that Pittsburgh is an underdog to Cleveland. The Steelers won that game, 13-6. … Safety Shamarko Thomas, who suffered a hamstring injury against the Jaguars, is likely out this week.