Steelers 4 Downs: Generating pressure the key to defense’s success

1. Get to the QB

It doesn’t take advanced analytics to come to the conclusion that the Pittsburgh Steelers’ strength is in their defense — and that defense is driven by the ability to rush opposing passers. But Sharp Football Analysis presented some numbers to show just how reliant the Steelers are on disrupting quarterbacks.

Opposing quarterbacks facing pressure from the Steelers have compiled the third-worst completion percentage (37.9%), third-worst passer rating (39.6) and 11th-worst yards per attempt (5.2).

But when the Steelers don’t pressure quarterbacks, they are allowing fourth-best opponent yards per attempt (8.3) and sixth-best opponent passer rating (106.4).

For what it’s worth, however, the quarterback the Steelers face Sunday is coming off a performance in which he thrived under pressure. When the Los Angeles Rams’ Matthew Stafford was pressured during a victory against the Arizona Cardinals last week, he completed 5 of 7 passes for 124 yards (17.7 yards per attempt).

2. A for Alex

Speaking of creating pressures, Alex Highsmith created the most in a game through six weeks this NFL season, according to one source.

NFL Next Gen Stats credited Highsmith with 11 pressures of the Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson during the Oct. 8 game at Acrisure Stadium. For some context, no defensive player last weekend had more than nine pressures (per Next Gen).

To show how subjective the concept of a “pressure” is, Pro Football Focus credited Highsmith with “only” seven against the Ravens — four players had more.

Per PFF, Highsmith has 23 pressures this season; Next Gen Stats credits Highsmith with 30.

3. Again, on the offense

Sharp’s weekly breakdown of the Steelers repeatedly has included a takedown of their offense. This week’s numbers include four areas in which the offense rates dead last in the NFL:

• They earn a first down or touchdown on 21.7% of their plays.

• They earn a first down or touchdown on 22.5% of their passing plays.

• They net zero or fewer yards on 25% of their rush attempts.

• They have had a lead during just 23.4% of their offensive snaps.

4. Two for show

Two sacks Sunday would mean plenty of superlatives for T.J. Watt.

If Watt brings down Rams quarterbacks twice, he would match Elvis Dumervil (2009) and Hall of Famer Kevin Greene (1998) as the only players since the sack became an official statistic in 1982 to have at least two sacks in three of his team’s first six games of a season. Watt had three sacks in the season opener and two sacks Oct. 9 against the Baltimore Ravens.

Two sacks also would allow Watt to become the first player since Dumervil 14 years ago to have 10 sacks through six games.

And it would give Watt 20 multi-sack games in his career, tying for the fourth-most over a player’s first 100 career games. Sunday will be Watt’s 93rd career game.

Finally, a two-sack game in Los Angeles would allow Watt to tie older brother J.J. for the second-most sacks through 100 career games behind Hall of Famer Reggie White. T.J. has 851/2 sacks, J.J. had 871/2 sacks over his first 100 games from 2011-18 and White had an incredible 105 sacks through 100 career games from 1985-91.

Hey, Steelers Nation, get the latest news about the Pittsburgh Steelers here.