Steelers: QB talk shouldn't distract us from big concern in latest loss
From the moment the game ended on Sunday, the conversation around the Pittsburgh Steelers has centered around the quarterback position. That's not only understandable but that's also expected. After all, benching a team captain for the first-round rookie was a massive development for the team that said it wouldn't do it for the entire season. […]
From the moment the game ended on Sunday, the conversation around the Pittsburgh Steelers has centered around the quarterback position. That's not only understandable but that's also expected.
After all, benching a team captain for the first-round rookie was a massive development for the team that said it wouldn't do it for the entire season.
But all that shouldn't take away from one of the biggest concerns evident on Sunday. The Steelers' defense – assumed to be a strength of the team even without T.J. Watt – didn't cut it against the 19th most efficient offense (by DVOA) entering Week 4.
When it mattered the most, Pittsburgh couldn't get the stops. Consider the following numbers noted by Steelers Depot:
Let's give credit where credit is due. The Steelers' defense had two takeaways, including yet another Minkah Fitzpatrick interception (he's up to three now) that set up the Steelers in a goal-to-go situation.
50% of the points scored by the Steelers came after takeaways from the defense.
But the defense was terrible in high-leverage situations. Not only did they allow a touchdown the three times the Jets waltzed into the end zone but they were consistently beaten in third and fourth down. The 40% third-down conversion rate that Pittsburgh allowed would rank in the NFL's bottom 15 right now.
On top of that, the Jets completely dominated the defense in the final two drives of the game as they drove down the field in cruise control on their way to two touchdowns that would win them the game.
Now, Steelers Nation is left wondering if this is a highly overrated defense. Without Watt's unrelenting pressure and constant highlight-reel plays, this doesn't look like the unit that would keep the team in it even against the toughest teams.
I'm not sure that they are.
Featured image via Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
