One random Steelers play: T.J. Watt draws a hold against the Broncos

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The Pittsburgh defense was elite in the first half of 2024.

Welcome back to BTSC’s “One random Steelers play” series. (Here’s the first edition if you’d like a reminder of how this works).

The TL:DR? In this dead part of the summer, we’re using a random number generator to find a singular play from the Steelers’ 2024, then using it as an excuse to talk about last season and some general football insights.

This week, the random number generator chose the 98th play of the Steelers’ Week 2 win over the Denver Broncos.

The context: Denver has the ball on their own 30-yard-line. It’s first and 10. The Steelers are up 13-0 with 4:16 left in the third quarter.

Here’s the play:

Pausing pre-snap, we can see the Steeler defense is in its base 3-4 to match up against Denver’s heavy personnel: one tight end and an extra offensive tackle. Strong safety DeShon Elliott is lined up in the box as an extra linebacker, while free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick is backed up into another time zone to defend any attempted deep ball.

It’s a counter run (watch the initial jab step by the running back) to the strong side of the field, with the Broncos pulling the weak side guard as an extra blocker.

What follows is some good gap discipline from the Steeler defense.

Linebacker Patrick Queen doesn’t over-pursue, instead cutting off any sort of run down the hash.

Then, a few defenders win their one-on-one blocks. Elandon Roberts (we’ll miss him as a Steeler) bulls through the tight end’s attempt, and T.J. Watt rips by the extra tackle. Watt actually draws a holding call on this play, but still powers downfield enough to slow down the runner and the puller as they take a wider arc to get to the corner.

Cornerback Donte Jackson is a little late to react to the outside run, but once he commits, he triggers quickly and flies to the corner. This is why aggression is so important in run defense for defensive backs: Jackson isn’t going to win many one-on-one blocks, but not many pulling O-linemen can deal with his speed in space.

Jackson sprints around the block in the nick of time, and blows up the run for a one-yard loss.

And you love to see the trio of Queen, Roberts, and Elliott all just behind Jackson in pursuit. Queen’s ability to quickly cover space can be a treat to watch. Even if the first tackle was missed, the run never would’ve gone anywhere. (Also pictured is Watt starting to plead his case for a flag that would come seconds later).

The Steelers would end up declining the penalty given the end result of the play. Two incompletions later, the defense would force a three-and-out. Pittsburgh would beat the Broncos 13-6.

What are your thoughts and takeaways on this random Steelers play? Any suggestions for the series? Join the BTSC community and let us know in the comments!