This post was originally published on this site
Pittsburgh needs to get more aggressive
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense has been one of the best units in the NFL in 2024. They are fifth in the league in EPA per play and ninth in total defense. However, their defensive shortcomings were put on display against the Cleveland Browns in Week 12. Against a largely-depleted Browns offensive line, the Steelers mustered just one sack on Jameis Winston. And when looking back at what could have caused that, it was very clear to see the issue – a lack of blitzing and rushing the passer with more than four defenders.
The Steelers are conservative when it comes to sending a large number of pass rushers. Per Sports Info Solutions, they have the ninth-most pressures in the NFL when sending just four pass rushers, as well as the third-most hits on the quarterback. However, when it comes to sending five or more rushers, those numbers go down drastically. They average the fifth-fewest sacks per game sending five or more, and when it comes to sending six, they have a grand total of zero sacks. To compare that to the Broncos, who send heavy pressure more than any team, they have five sacks and 20 pressures when sending six defenders at the quarterback, both of which lead the league.
I’d like to see the Steelers do more of what the Broncos do. The Steelers have a better front seven then Denver, yet Denver trusts their front seven to make splash plays far more and play a much more aggressive style of football. Denver sends heat no matter what look they are in. When in man-coverage, they send pressure at the fifth-highest rate in the NFL. When in zone, they do it at the third-highest rate. To compare, the Steelers send five or more rushers while in man coverage at the 11th highest rate in the league. When in zone, they have faced the fourth-fewest pass attempts in the league while sending five or more, and they have just one sack and eight hurries in those situations. The Tampa Bay Buccaeneers, on the other hand, have 11 sacks and 26 hurries to lead the league. A bit more aggression from the Steelers would lead to quicker pass attempts from opposing quarterbacks and would perhaps lead to more turnovers and splash plays.
Being too conservative can take those splash plays away. Sending more pressure would also open up more opportunities for Nick Herbig and T.J. Watt. If offenses can’t double team Watt or chip him due to the extra rushers, that will lead to more pressures, more hits on the quarterback, and make teams more wary of 90 at all times. Send more pressure at all times rather than sitting back and keeping completions in front of you.
Should Pittsburgh deploy more blitzes in all of their looks, it would benefit them in the long-run. It doesn’t mean they have to completely flip their script and become the Vikings, but it would do them a lot of good to put more pressure on opposing quarterbacks.