Steelers: Three Takeaways From Week 10 Win
By Chris Ross
The Steelers’ Pass-Rush is Elite
The Steelers have invested heavily in the pass-rush over the past few seasons and during the current season, those investments have started to pay off in a big way. The Rams’ offensive line hasn’t been the same elite group from past seasons, but it is still an effective starting five. On Sunday, however, they were embarrassed by a Steelers’ front-seven that was intent on making things difficult for Jared Goff and the Rams passing offense.
Pittsburgh managed four sacks, but it’s the constant pressure they were able to get that made the true difference. Goff never looked comfortable in the pocket, and it showed on the stat sheet and on-the-field. Against this aggressive pass-rush, Goff completed just over half his passes, including two interceptions in a performance that put Pittsburgh’s pass-rushers on full-display.
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T.J. Watt, in particular, was a force to be reckoned with in this one, finishing with two sacks. Bud Dupree, after a recent hot streak, was held without a sack but continued to impact the game by rushing Goff into poor throws. The Steelers’ defensive line also got in on the action with Cam Heyward and Javon Hargreave each pitching in with sacks of their own. No matter how well the Rams’ offensive line blocked it seemed like the Steelers were always able to overcome the blocking. After watching this team struggle to get after the quarterback for years, it’s refreshing to see so many defenders making plays.
Fitzpatrick has been the story of Pittsburgh’s season on defense, but this pass-rush is for real.