Another half of the season is done in the NFL, and the Pittsburgh Steelers defense is ranked No. 1 through those eight games. Watching those games, an outside fan might be impressed, but Steelers fans might ask how?
We as Steelers fans are spoiled in a way, and our impressions of the team may be a little different, than let’s say a Jaguars fan assuming there are any. Watching these first few games, the defense to us looked weak and in slow motion. James Harrison coming off an injury hasn’t looked the same guy he once was, and Ike Taylor looked as though he couldn’t cover Betty White on a slant pattern. Not to mention Troy Polamalu has been sidelined with a calf injury which seems to be going on three years now. Aaron Smith has been missed also, but in not a flashy way here they are again; No. 1 in total team defense.
Giving up leads to the Oakland Raiders, and the Tennessee Titans you had to ask yourself if their defense old, and brutal? After those games, I asked myself those very questions, and just kind of said it’s supposed to be a rebuilding year. Again, Steelers fans are spoiled, and also to proud to never count them out of any game. By no surprise they are battling and notching wins one at a time. Recently, they just beat the defending champs the New York Giants, and looked somewhat dominate in doing so. They held Eli Manning and his aerial attack in check, and if it wasn’t for some controversial but also dumb penalties, the score may have been worse. I do have to mention in that game the one penalty against Ryan Clark was called wrong and obviously wasn’t a head shot, but good defenses look past it and keep battling which they did.
The Steelers defense ranks No. 1 in total defense. They rank No. 1 in passing yard allowed with 174 yards per game. They rank No. 1 in yards per game giving up 262.6. They are ranked ninth in points allowed 20.5, and are 8th in rushing yards allowed per game 88.6. Are they doing all of this with pizzazz and a lot of turn overs like say the Chicago Bears? No I wish they would sometimes, but they are getting it done in the trenches and making plays when they have to. It’s the blue collar way and the Pittsburgh Steelers way, and we all hope it stays that way.
Photo Credits: The Star-Ledger-US PRESSWIRE
