5 things we learned: Woes on 3rd down continue for Steelers defense

Five things we learned from Seahawks 31, Steelers 17:

1. Having thirds

The Steelers made a personnel change on third down to open the game, and it didn’t have the desired impact. Quite the opposite.

Seattle converted a third-and-6 and a third-and-10 on the initial possession en route to a touchdown and 7-0 lead. On those third downs, the Steelers had three outside linebackers on the field, with Nick Herbig joining starters T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. Cameron Heyward was the lone defensive lineman, and Brandin Echols was used as the fifth defensive back.

This plan was scuttled when Highsmith sustained a high ankle sprain, but perhaps it was for the best.

Seattle converted 6 of 14 times on third down and on one of those “failures,” they got 11 yards on third-and-12, then converted on a fourth-down run. On another third down, the Seahawks gained 13 yards when 14 were needed. This time, they punted.

On four of their third-down conversions, the Seahawks moved the chains when 6 or more yards were needed. On a fourth-quarter touchdown drive that established the final score, Seattle got a 19-yard completion on a third-and-9, and Kenneth Walker ended any drama when he waltzed through the defense for a touchdown run on third-and-19.

In Week 1, the Jets converted 7 of 14 third-down attempts en route to putting up 32 points.

Seattle also scored a touchdown on its opening possession of the second half. The Steelers hadn’t allowed an opponent to score touchdowns on the first possession of each half since San Francisco did it in the 2023 season opener.

2. Sack-less streak continues

T.J. Watt’s string of games without a sack increased to five when he was shut out again by the Seahawks. Factoring in the playoff loss at Baltimore, and Watt hasn’t recorded a sack in six consecutive games.

Watt’s longest stretch without a sack until the stretch run of 2024 was early in 2018 when he went three consecutive games without a sack. That matched his longest drought from his rookie season in 2017.

That, of course, was before Watt won one NFL defensive player of the year award and was a finalist on four other occasions.

At least Watt put tangible pressure on quarterback Sam Darnold. He was credited with two hits, his first two of the season against an opposing passer.

Watt is hardly alone in his inability to disrupt the passing game. The Steelers have just three sacks in their first two games. Rookie Jack Sawyer earned his first career sack against Seattle, as did inside linebacker Payton Wilson. Highsmith had the Steelers’ lone sack in the opener.

3. Not so special

Even without factoring in Kaleb Johnson’s gaffe on a kickoff return that resulted in a Seattle touchdown, it wasn’t a time for the Steelers special teamers to pump their chest. Kicker Chris Boswell excluded.

Johnson began the second half by gaining just 13 yards on the kickoff, giving the Steelers possession at their 17.

Corliss Waitman also showed that while he possesses a powerful leg, he sometimes booms the ball too deep. In the first half, he hit a 60-yard punt, but it was negated by a 22-yard return. Another punt was returned 8 yards after traveling 54. In the second half, Waitman uncorked a 64-yarder that bounced into the end zone for a touchback.

It wasn’t until his fourth and final attempt that he placed one inside the 20, a fair catch at the 9. The Seahawks, though, got out of the hole and eventually kicked a field goal that gave them a 17-14 lead they would not relinquish.

4. Historic throws

It was one of the shortest touchdown passes of Aaron Rodgers’ 21-year career, the 2-yard jump ball that he threw to DK Metcalf in the second quarter that helped the Steelers take a 14-7 lead.

It also was one that moved him into a tie for fourth place on the NFL’s career touchdown passing list. The touchdown pass was No. 508 for Rodgers, moving him into a tie with his Green Bay Packers predecessor, Brett Favre. Next up is Peyton Manning, who sits in the third spot with 539 touchdown passes.

Rodgers also made history when his short toss to running back Jaylen Warren went for 65 yards. It was his 90th career completion of 50 or more yards, moving him into a tie with Drew Brees for most in NFL history.

5. They’re No. 1

The Steelers will lead the NFL in one positive category pending what transpires in the Monday night games.

Through two games, the Steelers have been called for just six penalties. That is the fewest number charged against teams that have played two games. Tampa Bay had five and the Los Angeles Chargers six heading into their respective MNF matchups.

It wasn’t until late in the fourth quarter before the Steelers were whistled for their first infraction that stood. (An earlier false start penalty against tackle Troy Fautanu was declined). Calvin Austin III was called for illegal motion, and Rodgers was flagged for intentional grounding.