There were whispers that Minkah Fitzpatrick’s “ball-hawking” ways for the Pittsburgh Steelers had run their course when his “streak” of games without being part of a turnover was extended to nine through the first four weeks of this season.
Since then, though, the takeaway machine that Fitzpatrick was when he first arrived in Pittsburgh has returned.
Over the Steelers’ past six games, Fitzpatrick has been central in creating six turnovers, including two during Sunday’s 27-3 victory at the Jacksonville Jaguars. A “pick six” on the first defensive possession of the game Oct. 18 against the Cleveland Browns ignited a flurry that has included four interceptions, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble in the six games since.
You've heard this before: Minkah Fitzpatrick. Interception. ?
— Sunday Night Football (@SNFonNBC) November 22, 2020
(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/n0Ljga6MlS
It’s a run of takeaways reminiscent of what Fitzpatrick did over his first nine games with the Steelers after a trade with the Miami Dolphins last September: five interceptions, a forced fumble and fumble recovery (plus, two touchdown returns).
96-yard pick-six for Minkah Fitzpatrick.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) November 3, 2019
Has four interceptions, six pass deflections and a forced fumble in his first five-and-a-half games with the Steelers.
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Many of Fitzpatrick’s interceptions – including his first one Sunday in Jacksonville – have come off of tipped passes. There is an art to swallowing up those free balls, Fitzpatrick explained.
“You’ve got to speed up to get the ball because there’s probably three or four other people in the area that’s trying to go get it,” he said. “You know if you get a good break, you just got to go get it. It definitely doesn’t slow down. You definitely have to speed up in your sense of urgency getting to the ball.”
In addition to the takeaways, Fitzpatrick also has six passes defended and 21 solo tackles in these past six games, including 18 tackles and five passes defended over the past four outings. Two of those passes defended were crucial, too – they literally decided the wins against Baltimore and Dallas earlier this month as each team was throwing into the end zone with a chance to win on the last play of the game.
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