Amid injuries and 1-4 record, Steelers defense returning to prominence

After allowing an average of 442 yards over the first three games, the Pittsburgh Steelers defense has permitted a total of 452 yards over the past two games combined.

That’s been needed, what with the offense down to a third-string quarterback and the record at 1-4 after Sunday’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

Aided by 13 sacks over the past two games after getting five Sunday against the Ravens, the Steelers have allowed 241 net passing yards combined in those games.

With Ben Roethlisberger out for the season and Mason Rudolph out for the time being because of a concussion, the defense recognizes the Steelers’ only hope might be for it to become a dominant unit.

“That’s what the goal was when Ben went down,” linebacker Bud Dupree said. “We knew we had to step it up another notch.”

Though Baltimore had 138 yards and 17 points over its first three drives, it gained 139 yards and scored nine points the rest of the game.

Ravens 1st 3 drives:
138 yards
17 points
.
Ravens final 9 drives:
139 yards
9 points

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) October 6, 2019

“When we were making three and outs, just stopping them, getting hits on the quarterback and putting pressure on him,” safety Minkah Fitzpatrick said, “the momentum was definitely turning.”

A Baltimore offense that entered the game averaging 482.5 yards was contained. Seven of the Ravens’ 12 offensive drives gained 15 yards or fewer. The Steelers had three interceptions of Lamar Jackson to give them 12 takeaways over their past three games.

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