Tag: Defense

Sorry, Baltimore: Steelers know exactly how to stop Derrick Henry

Pittsburgh has consistently contained Derrick Henry, with wins over him in 2017, 2020, and 2023—a testament to their resilience.

King Henry may rule in Baltimore, but he has bowed several times to the impressive display of determination and resilience that the Steel City represents. The Pittsburgh Steelers have faced a Derrick Henry-led offense three times during his career—in 2017, 2020, and 2023—and emerged victorious each time.

In 2017, the Pittsburgh defense limited Henry to 32 rushing yards on 7 attempts. In 2020—a season many consider one of the greatest by a running back, with Henry averaging 5.4 yards per carry on 378 attempts, rushing for 2,027 yards, and scoring 17 rushing touchdowns—the Steelers once again tamed the king in their Week 7 matchup with the Titans, holding him to just 75 yards on 20 attempts. When the teams met again in 2023, Pittsburgh held Henry to the same 75 rushing yards.

The Baltimore-based king is one of the greatest running backs of his era, but his lack of production speaks volumes about HC Mike Tomlin’s ability to scheme effectively and prevent him from taking over the game. While Henry is an elite player in the NFL, make no mistake: just like the Baltimore Ravens over the past few seasons, Pittsburgh will have his number once again in Week 11.

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Mike Tomlin hilariously shrugs off risky play-calling inquiry

Mike Tomlin had an interesting response when asked if offensive success contributes to riskier play calls on defense and special teams.

Taking risks, making bold moves, and securing victories any way they come are just a few aspects of Mike Tomlin’s high-level coaching that benefit the Pittsburgh Steelers. Throughout their Week 10 contest against the Washington Commanders, the Steelers executed a variety of risky play calls across all three phases of the game—some of which succeeded, while others fell short.

During Monday’s press conference, when asked if Russell Wilson and his dynamic deep-threat ability affect riskier decision-making, Tomlin responded with a smirk: ‘No, we’re gonna take risks on defense and special teams anyway.’

While fans may argue against the destructive potential of relying on risk over strategy, Tomlin has managed to balance this razor-thin line, combining both elements when calling plays and securing critical victories in 2024 as a result.

The Steelers may need to once again lean on Tomlin’s willingness to take risks as they face a pivotal Week 11 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens on November 17th at 1:00 PM EST.

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Is it time to hit the panic button on Joey Porter Jr.?

As Joey Porter Jr. continues to shows signs of regression after a strong rookie year with the Steelers, is it time to panic?

Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr., the Steelers’ second-year cornerback from Penn State, entered his rookie season in 2023 with high expectations and ultimately earned the respect of both his peers and fans. However, his second NFL season has been disappointing, to say the least.

Through nine games in the 2024 season, Porter has allowed 26 receptions for 365 yards and a quarterback passer rating of 94.5. At this rate, he is on pace to allow 689 yards by the season’s end. This marks a noticeable decline from his 2023 rookie season, where he allowed just 25 receptions for 385 yards and a QB passer rating of 68.8 over 17 games.

Though Porter has shown inconsistency throughout the season, his worst performance came in Week 10 against the Washington Commanders. He allowed 131 yards on six receptions, which accounted for 71% of Washington’s 182 total receiving yards.

Pittsburgh may need to evaluate its options moving forward, perhaps by giving Porter additional practice reps or placing a safety over him during man-coverage plays, as the Steelers defense need to keep his inefficiency under control heading into a difficult second half stretch of the 2024 season.

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Could Preston Smith be the lifeline for Steelers defense?

With Alex Highsmith set to miss time with an ankle injury, the Preston Smith acquisition may have saved the Steelers’ defense.

When Pittsburgh Steelers General Manager Omar Khan and the Steelers front office acquired OLB Preston Smith from the Green Bay Packers for a 2025 seventh-round draft pick, many began to speculate if this was the biggest steal of the trade deadline. Alex Highsmith’s apparent ankle injury in Week 10 against the Washington Commanders further solidifies Smith’s acquisition as one of the greatest trades of 2024.

While backup Nick Herbig performed admirably, the Steelers went 2-2 in games that Highsmith missed, highlighting the need for a veteran edge rusher opposite T.J. Watt.

Smith, having played 156 games with 138 starts in his 10-year career, is exactly what could save the Steelers’ defense with Highsmith set to miss time.

Used sparingly in Week 10, Smith still managed to record a sack on rookie QB Jayden Daniels.

The ‘Khan Artist’ truly struck gold in acquiring Smith’s talents, and this move could reshape the entire landscape of the Pittsburgh defense. The 31-year old Smith will look to fill the void left by Highsmith, and aims to start with sacking Ravens’ QB Lamar Jackson in Week 11.

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Sean Payton highlights underrated element of Chiefs’ success

The Chiefs are known for their offense, but Broncos coach Sean Payton has highlighted KC’s “real good defense.”

The Kansas City Chiefs are the NFL’s only remaining undefeated team, but it’s not their offense that has been carrying them this season.

The Chiefs are averaging 25.4 points per game, which is certainly a good total (it ranks 10th in the NFL), but they have only allowed 18.4 points per game, fourth-fewest in the league. KC’s defense should not be overlooked.

“They’ve been in a lot a closer games this year,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said on Wednesday. “They’ve had some injuries like all of us. They’re playing really, really well on defense. What’s interesting sometimes is historically speaking, many of you’ve covered this league for a long time and if I asked you about the [Joe] Montana or the Steve Young 49ers, we all think of the offense always. Those guys had fantastic defenses, and I would say this team we’re playing has got a real good defense. We’ve got a ton of tape, obviously a divisional opponent on the road. We’re going to have to have a good week, and we’re going to have to play well.”

The Chiefs’ defense has allowed 293.6 passing yards (fifth) and 83.9 rushing yards (third) per game this season. The unit has 17 sacks and eight takeaways through eight games. KC’s defense is coached by Steve Spagnuolo, a four-time Super Bowl champion who goes way back with Payton.

“Listen, he’s a fantastic coach,” Payton said of Spagnuolo. “The late Jim Johnson, who some of you might remember, was one of our best defensive coordinators this league has seen. He was in Philadelphia and Steve cut his teeth under Jim. They’re going to apply pressure. It’s not just going to be on third down. It can be the weak linebacker in the corner. So a lot of fire zone coverage, a lot of man, and he saw it firsthand.

“Jim was someone that just really believed in stressing you in a lot of different ways. Now, that all being said, Steve’s put his spin on it. They’ve played really good technique; they’re smart; they’re near the top of the league in giving up explosives. Sometimes when you’re trying to apply pressure, you might get hit for the big play, but these guys are extremely well coached, and they’re a challenge.”

Spagnuolo landed with the Eagles one season after Payton left Philadelphia’s staff. He was later the Saints’ defensive coordinator in 2012 (when Payton served a full-season suspension for Bountygate). The veteran coach knows how to take away a team’s strengths, something Denver needs to be wary of this week.

“They do a really good job of finding your strengths and weaknesses and trying to exploit them,” wide receiver Courtland Sutton said. “It’s something that we have to know and be aware of, especially with us having a rookie quarterback. They’re going to try and test him and just see how much film is he watching and how prepared is he going to be?

“I have no lack of faith of Bo [Nix] being prepared, this offense being prepared, this defense being prepared and everyone being prepared to go in and take care of business. We have to be on our p’s and q’s to be able to go in there and knock off the defending Super Bowl champs at home.”

Sunday’s game will be regionally televised on CBS (view the TV map). Playing at home, KC is considered a heavy favorite against the Broncos.

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Statistical Breakdown: How the Chargers and Titans stack up before Week 10 game

Here’s how the Chargers and Titans stack up statistically ahead of Sunday’s matchup.

The Chargers and Titans are set to square off this upcoming Sunday.

Here’s how Los Angeles and Tennessee stack up statistically on both sides of the ball ahead of the Week 10 matchup:

Offense

Category Chargers Titans
Points per game 19.9 ppg (24th) 17.5 ppg (27th)
Passing offense 200.5 ypg (21st) 170.8 ypg (27th)
Rushing offense 114.5 ypg (20th) 125.6 ypg (12th)
Total offense 315.0 ypg (22nd) 296.4 ypg (27th)
3rd down conversions 39.82% (11th) 32.67% (28th)
Red zone scoring 52.63% (22nd) 52.00% (24th)
Sacks allowed 24 (24th) 21 (18th)
Turnovers 4 (2nd) 17 (31st)

Defense

Category Chargers Titans
Points allowed 12.6 ppg (1st) 26.6 ppg (27th)
Passing defense 195.9 ypg (11th) 155.8 ypg (1st)
Rushing defense 107.9 ypg (8th) 113.4 ypg (11th)
Total defense 303.8 ypg (8th) 269.1 ypg (1st)
3rd down conversions 32.71% (5th) 31.25% (2nd)
Red zone defense 40.00% (2nd) 65.22% (26th)
Sacks 24 (10th) 18 (25th)
Takeaways 13 (11th) 6 (29th)

 

Chiefs CB Trent McDuffie discusses support from teammates: ‘We’ve got your back’

Kansas City #Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie discusses support from teammates: ‘We’ve got your back’ | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs’ overtime victory last Monday night over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers featured a rare bend moment from the defense. Baker Mayfield completed a game-tying touchdown pass in regulation to force the extra session and a moment of regret from an All-Pro defensive back.

Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie revealed to reporters on Wednesday his frustrations and the support he received from teammates after the Buccaneers scored the tying touchdown on his watch.

“B-Cook (Bryan Cook), J-Reid (Justin Reid) (and) Chamarri (Conner) came over there while I was ticked off that I allowed the score that (allowed) them tie the game,” said McDuffie. “They’re just like, ‘Look, bro, it’s going into overtime. We’ve still got more games. Don’t worry about it. We’ve got your back; we know what you can do.”

McDuffie and the defense had an impressive streak of ending games on their end this season but were bailed out for once in overtime as the offense scored a touchdown on their initial possession.

“For me, that was just a way to kind of lock back in, and also just be like, ‘Man, that’s special, to be in a locker room where guys, you give up a big play in the game, said McDuffie. “I think that kind of speaks volumes as to the character of what we have in here.”

The strong bond between the defense and the team has contributed enormously to the team’s undefeated start to the season.

Is Preston Smith the missing piece Pittsburgh has been searching for?

Preston Smith, the newly acquired Steelers’ OLB at the 2024 trade deadline, could be the difference maker Pittsburgh has been looking for.

The true difference maker from the trade deadline acquisitions for the Pittsburgh Steelers may be the second trade the team made—for none other than former Packers’ OLB Preston Smith.

The 31-year-old Smith provides Pittsburgh with a tremendous amount of starting experience off the edge, in which he has accumulated 68.5 career sacks in 155 games played.  He only cost the Steelers a 2025-seventh round draft pick.

After losing OLB Alex Highsmith to injury in Week 3, the team lost two straight contests to the Indianapolis Colts and Dallas Cowboys in Weeks 4 and 5, respectively. While backup OLB Nick Herbig filled in admirably, he too would suffer an injury.

While Highsmith would eventually return to Pittsburgh in Week 7, the Steelers now have a very capable starter in Smith, who is relishing his opportunity to sack opposing quarterbacks.

The Pittsburgh Steelers appear to be gearing up for a deep playoff run, focusing on keeping their defensive line loaded and healthy, with elite players like T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Preston Smith, Cameron Heyward, Keeanu Benton, and Larry Ogunjobi ready to wreck opposing offenses.

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Is T.J. Watt’s dominant start foreshadowing another D.P.O.Y award?

T.J. Watt’s 2024 campaign showcases dominance, aiming for his second D.P.O.Y. award with elite performances in his 8 games played.

T.J. Watt continues to prove week in and week out that he is a force to be reckoned with for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Whether he is sacking the quarterback, forcing a fumble, or stuffing the run, one thing remains certain—Watt is inevitable.

Watt’s 2024 resume speaks for itself. Through 8 games played, his four forced fumbles are tied for first, his ten tackles for loss are tied for second, his nine QB hits are tied for fifth, and his six and a half sacks are tied for ninth.

The former 2021 D.P.O.Y. winner is looking to build on this fantastic statistical output and put together an undeniable campaign to win the illustrious award for a second time.

DraftKings currently has Watt as the odds-on favorite to win the award through nine weeks, ahead of elite defenders such as Kansas City Chiefs’ DT Chris Jones, New York Giants’ DT Dexter Lawrence, Houston Texans’ EDGE Will Anderson Jr., and Detroit Lions Safety Kerby Joseph.

Can Watt achieve his second D.P.O.Y. award in 2024, or will his efforts result in him being snubbed once again?

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Week 10: Commanders’ greatest strength may present issues for Steelers

The 7-2 Commanders host the 6-2 Steelers in Week 10 and Washington’s perfection in the turnover game could prove troublesome for Pittsburgh.

In Week 10, iron sharpens iron—and in this case, Pittsburgh steel aims to cut deeper—as the 6-2 Steelers travel to the nation’s capital to take on the 7-2 Washington Commanders in a clash of behemoths. The Commanders’ strongest asset, their narrow margin of error in the turnover game, could present the Steelers with some challenges throughout the game.

Commanders’ rookie QB Jayden Daniels could give the Pittsburgh defense a tough matchup; however, it is the offensive effort and protection of the football that makes the team truly threatening. Washington has only turned the ball over three times all season, leading the NFL in fewest turnovers on offense.

The Steelers are 1-1 in games where they lose the turnover battle this season, and when facing a Washington team currently ranked fourth in total points scored per game, the Steelers may need to rely on expert coaching to secure a victory in Week 10.

Can the ever-reliable Pittsburgh defense do what very few NFL teams have done to the Washington Commanders, and force them to turn the ball over? Tune in to see the Week 10 matchup unfold on November 10th at 1:00 PM EST.

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