Steelers DB Jabrill Peppers pulled no punches when asked about the revenge factor in his game against the Patriots
He didn’t hide his feelings.
Typically, players downplay their feelings when they face their former teams. They bottle up their emotions and march forward with the “it’s just another game” mantra. But every once in a while, a player shares how they really feel.
They show it in their play, body language, and comments after the game. That’s exactly what happened with Pittsburgh Steelers hybrid defender Jabrill Peppers after the Steelers’ win against the New England Patriots.
“Absolutely,” Peppers said after the game on the KDKA Extra Point Show via SD. “I needed this one. I thank each and every man and coach in here. We had a great week of work, great prep. It feels good right now, I’m not going to lie.”
Jabrill Peppers leans into the revenge factor against the Patriots
“A lot. I think he enjoyed it a lot,” said Cam Heyward after the game when asked if Peppers enjoyed getting the win against his former team. It only helps when that win comes in your Steelers debut on defense, where he recorded six tackles and a forced fumble against the Patriots.
In the micro, it’s a stellar performance from Peppers and a feel-good moment. However, in the macro, his game proves to me that the vision the Steelers have for him within this defense may just work. If you watch the rep he forced the fumble on, he was playing linebacker.
He’s played a lot of safety with DeShon Elliott on the mend, and he brings an intensity, hit power, and hair-on-fire level of play that the Steelers’ defense needed after the first two weeks of the season. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that after Cole Holcomb and Peppers got more reps, an opposing team’s best rusher was the quarterback, and the team forced five turnovers.
There is still a lot to get right, but the changes in Week 3 could be a good omen for what’s to come.
Pittsburgh Steelers News
Cam Heyward says the quiet part out loud when asked about what’s gone wrong in the middle of the Steelers’ defense
Heyward keeps it real.
