Steelers run defense – Syndication Server

Steelers ‘unacceptable’ run defense gashed by Lions in tie game

The Steelers D didn’t have an answer for the 26th ranked Lions rushing attack today.

The Pittsburgh Steelers defense didn’t have an answer for the 26th ranked Detroit Lions rushing attack on Sunday.

Rookie Jemar Jefferson ripped off a 28-yard touchdown run — the longest by the Lions in eight years — before exiting the game with an ankle injury.

Jefferson didn’t return, but that didn’t matter because D’Andre Swift picked up where he left off and racked up 130 yards. Godwin Igwebuike added 56 yards and a score.

In total, the Steelers’ porous run defense allowed 229 yards on 39 carries, an average of 5.9 yards per attempt for Detroit’s first 200+ yard game since 2018.

“They came up with a good plan,” Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith said after the game. “But we gotta handle ourselves. Stopping the run is about whipping the man and making the tackle. Today was unacceptable. We can bet better, and we will be better.”

Highsmith had a solid game overall and, according to Pro Football Focus, produced the most tackles on defense with seven. But the ball wasn’t the only thing that was slippery out there. Missed tackles — eight total — were the downfall of the defense. Miles Killebrew whiffed on two, while Cameron Sutton, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Devin Bush, Cam Heyward, Derrek Tuszka and Highsmith each missed one.

[vertical-gallery id=502679]

[lawrence-related id=504904]

One area newly-acquired Steelers LB Avery Williamson should reinforce for Pittsburgh’s defense

If Williamson’s career is any indication, his acquisition will pay dividends.

Devin Bush, the anchor of the vaunted Steelers defense, has been out since Week 6, and his loss left a gaping and noticeable hole.

No one thought a single player, even a rotation, could make up for his loss. While Robert Spillane has played admirably in Bush’s place, the Steelers knew it was time to get serious.

[lawrence-related id=480787]

The day before the trade deadline, Pittsburgh made the announcement it was acquiring 7-year veteran Avery Williamson.

What area can Williamson’s talents help shore up?

While Williamson has both metrics against the pass and the run, his strength certainly lies with the run. Per Pro Football Focus, for his career, the linebacker grades at 70.0 run, 51.0 pass rush, 30.5 coverage.

Between weeks 1 and 9, the defense had allowed just 3.4 yards per attempt inside the tackles (6th), according to Next Gen Stats. They need to continue that high level of production of between-the-tackles runners, which is where Williamson can be best used as reinforcement.

Here’s what Williamson’s inside run defense snaps look like:

Left: 1,282
Right: 1,459
Total tackles: 299
- Only missed one tackle this season; 21 for career

Though nothing has been reported on Williamson playing this week, I would imagine he will play. He was activated Week 9 versus the Cowboys but never set foot on the playing field. Sure, he’s still getting antiquated with Pittsburgh’s playbook. Nevertheless, it wouldn’t make much sense to trade for a player and not get him involved as quickly as possible — especially in this of a critical role.

[vertical-gallery id=481312]

[lawrence-related id=480774]

3 reasons why the Steelers run defense struggled in 2019

Defensively, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ weakness was preventing run plays.

The Steelers run defense was their weak spot in 2019. They dropped significantly in rankings, from sixth versus the run in 2018 to 14th last season.

They allowed 1,753 total rushing yards, 875 of which were before contact, and a whopping 878 after contact. Opponents had a field day on the ground, rushing for over 100 yards in eight games highlighted by the Baltimore Ravens, 223 and San Francisco 49ers, 168.

Thankfully, the pass defense was stout, or we would’ve been looking at a far worse record than 8-8.

Here are the top three reasons why the Steelers run defense struggled last season.

Sloppy tackling

As evidenced by the 878 yards after contact, the Steelers run defense just wasn’t able to finish tackles last season. In 2019, the defense recorded 69 missed tackles versus just 42 missed the season before. Surprisingly, cornerback Joe Haden (8) and linebackers T.J. Watt (9) and Bud Dupree (8) flubbed the most.

Pages: 123