Steelers tried to fix their defense by giving a rookie more play time in Week 2, but it only made things worse
Not what they had in mind.
The Pittsburgh Steelers saw what happened to their rush defense in Week 1 against the New York Jets and tried to course correct in Week 2. And while it wasn’t quite the 182 yards and three TDs allowed in the opener, it was more big runs, over 100 yards on the ground, and 30+ points allowed all over again.
“It’s upsetting. I don’t like people having their way,” said LB Patrick Queen after the game. “We did that again today, we let them have their way. I can’t wait to get back to work. It’s a long season. This season can turn real quick for us.”
But it was supposed to turn around in Week 2. The defense took rookie Yahya Black, a true nose tackle whose sole job is to plug the line and stop the run, and nearly doubled his snaps from Week 1 to Week 2. Black went from 24 snaps to 40, but when you watch the film, it somehow looked worse up front against Seattle.
Yahya Black, Keeanu Benton, Payton Wilson all struggle against the Seahawks
The idea for the Steelers was simple. “Let’s relieve some of the burden placed on Keeanu Benton. He’s struggled at nose, and if we kick him out and let a bigger body type like Black absorb those double teams, perhaps we can penetrate the front line.”
But Black looked overwhelmed. His lack of fundamentals and playmaking suggests he’s a fifth-round rookie. Which he is. So I don’t put a ton of blame on him. He needs to trust his coaching and better himself, but the Steelers’ defensive woes are based right now on Keeanu Benton and Payton Wilson.
Benton has somehow regressed since his rookie year. Again, I think a lot of that is due to alignment and assignment opposed to his skillset. When Derrick Harmon returns, it should be him at nose and Benton at end. Because Benton as the point man on the line, simply isn’t working.
And with Payton Wilson, it’s clear that teams are targeting him right now. They are running straight at him in an effort to expose his ability to shed blocks. That’s a fundamental issue that starts up front with the line not allowing the inside backers to flow cleanly to the ball.
A lot of these issues could subside with the return of players like Harmon and DeShon Elliott. But for now, Teryl Austin, Mike Tomlin, and Karl Dunbar have a lot to figure out. A smashmouth New England Patriots team is on deck for Week 3, and it won’t be getting any easier.
Pittsburgh Steelers News
It might be time to have a serious conversation about a recent Steelers draft pick who was supposed to be a revelation on defense
It’s just not good enough right now.
