Why is the Steelers defense so bad?
PITTSBURGH — Coming off their best defensive performance — yardage-wise — this season, the Pittsburgh Steelers defensive assistants took to the post-practice “podiums” Tuesday to meet with the media.
“That was like a shot,” outside linebackers coach Joey Porter said in reaction to one question.
“It was?” the reporter responded.
“You said ‘plugging leaks,’ like we’re just that bad,” Porter said. “We’re trying to get better.”
They actually have gotten better.
The Steelers allowed the Cincinnati Bengals only 275 yards, the Steelers’ low yield for the season. The Bengals scored only 21 points, tied for second-low behind the 17 points given up the previous week to the explosive Atlanta Falcons. The Steelers had also allowed 21 points in the opening game, in which the offense turned the ball over six times. And the Steelers’ average yards per play allowed Sunday in Cincinnati was a respectable 4.7 yards, third-best this season.
Yet, the media was aggressive in its questioning of the Steelers’ defensive assistants, probably because the Steelers allowed another late touchdown when an opposing offense needed one.
In the last four such instances — when the Steelers led by four to eight points and an opponent took possession with less than five minutes remaining — the Steelers have allowed a touchdown three times. The exception was the 2017 regular-season finale when Corey Coleman dropped a fourth-and-2 pass at the Pittsburgh 11 to preserve Cleveland’s 0-16 season.
Of course, in those three unsuccessful defensive instances, the Steelers rallied to A.) beat the Bengals, B.) tie the Browns, and C.) drop the ball in the end zone and force a rules change.
The Steelers otherwise have been fine protecting short leads and ties with their defense, but when the Bengals needed a touchdown, they got one.
That touchdown Sunday by the Bengals gave them a 21-20 lead with 1:18 remaining, and it happened too easily. They went 61 yards in 2:14 and looked like they could go another 61 if needed.
Porter followed up his answer by saying, “It’s football,” and it is. Sports Illustrated just published a story titled “Why Do NFL Defenses Stink?” in reaction to what the general public is calling the Game of the Year, the Patriots’ 43-30 win over the Chiefs.
But Bill Belichick isn’t part of the general public. The Patriots’ coach said this after the win:
“That was just bad defense, bad coaching, bad playing, bad everything.”
The defensive performance sickened Belichick, and Steelers fans can appreciate that as they struggle to accept an NFL that’s allowing an all-time high in points, yards per game, and yards per play.
Even the Patriots have struggled defensively, and they’re the go-to comparison for Steelers fans disgusted that even while drafting 24th on average since their last Super Bowl win 10 years ago, the defense still isn’t up to traditional Steelers standards.
However, if defense wins championships, no one told the Philadelphia Eagles, who allowed 33 points, 613 yards and 8.5 points per play in beating the Patriots last February.
To quote one of the game’s best analysts these days, Louis Riddick: “So disgusted by defenses in the league I can’t stand it.”
And that’s how Steelers fans feel today after watching their favorite side of the ball nearly prevent a must-win divisional game in Cincinnati.
“No, that wasn’t a prevent,” Steelers defensive coordinator Keith Butler was quick to answer.
But, Butler was asked, what’s going on?
“Well, we blew some coverages a little bit,” he said. “They got us down the middle with 18. That was the biggest one for us.”
Right. Middle linebacker Vince Williams — while playing his best game, exemplified by his open-field tackling of, and deep coverage on, Joe Mixon during the Bengals’ go-ahead drive — shouldn’t have been asked to cover A.J. Green.
Yes, Green was the third receiver in from the left sideline, nestled safely away from nemesis Joe Haden. But the fans are still PO’d about Williams covering Green on the 23-yard gain to the Pittsburgh 11.
“And I don’t blame them,” Butler said. “We called a defense and we didn’t execute it.”
Butler wouldn’t provide details, but the guess is that free safety Sean Davis should’ve been more aggressive in coverage rather than merely tackling Green at the catch point. Or maybe it was just that old fallback problem, miscommunication.
“That wasn’t a miscommunication,” Butler said. “We just broke down.”
Defensive backs coach Tom Bradley said the solution is simple: “When you get a shot to get off the field, you’ve got to get off the field.”
But the Steelers had only one chance to get off the field, and the 5-yard pass to tight end C.J. Uzomah with Cameron Sutton in tight coverage converted the only third down of the drive.
The 188-pound Sutton was later run over at the goal line for the touchdown, which naturally brought up the question about the return of the dime linebacker he’s replaced, the 209-pound Morgan Burnett.
The most expensive acquisition of the offseason has played only 92 snaps, all in the first two games. He’s since been out with a groin injury that’s caused him to walk feebly from the practice sideline to the locker room.
“Would love to get him back. He gives us a bigger body in there,” said Bradley, although he had no idea when Burnett would return. That likely means it’s a long way off.
Would Sutton be better served outside in place of Artie Burns?
Burns had been relegated to a cornerback rotation with Coty Sensabaugh four games ago, and on the Bengals’ go-ahead drive Burns was yanked after a 14-yard pass interference penalty that put the ball at the 50.
Bradley was asked about such a move to replace Burns, but Bradley merely talked about Sutton’s versatility. Butler was asked if a change to Sutton or even Brian Allen might be a possibility.
“Not now,” Butler said. “No, we’ve got to play with what we’ve got. We’re going to do the best we can with what we’ve got.”
Both assistant coaches talked about re-instilling Burns with confidence, and also how they have to look in the mirror at themselves and coach better.
It’s not the concrete solution everyone, or anyone, wanted to hear. Trading for a Patrick Peterson isn’t likely to happen, either, so there’s only hope.
“We’ve done some good things,” Butler said. “I think we’re getting better in some of the things that we’re doing, that we’re trying to do, and I think we will get better if we keep doing them.”
Apparently, that’s the best a team with an offense built for fantasy football can expect in an age in which just about all of the NFL’s defenses stink.