After a difficult start to the season, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense is showing improvement, according to defensive coordinator Teryl Austin.
“We’re getting there,” Austin said. He added, “I’ve said it, I know we hadn’t played well early but I know we have enough good players and that things will start trending in the right direction. I think we took a step forward (last Sunday), absolutely. But we also know we left a lot out there and there’s a lot of room to improve.
“I really love the way our guys competed and performed last week and we know we can be better.”
The Steelers recorded six sacks, 14 quarterback hits, two interceptions, and eight passes defensed in their 24-21 win over the Minnesota Vikings in Dublin last Sunday.
Austin acknowledged that improvements are still needed, particularly in coverage breakdowns like the one that led to an 81-yard play from Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz to wide receiver Jordan Addison late in the game. “I’m gonna take that one,” Austin said. “We were struggling with who was in the game and I probably made a call that probably wasn’t simple enough for everybody, so that’s on me. If that ever happens again, if we have some attrition the way we did, the way it happened, I gotta give our guys something that’s way more simple and that they can line up and play. It may not be the best defense but it’ll be something where we won’t have a chance to blow it.
“Our guys played great and again, that last one is on me and I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen again.”
The team lost cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey and Brandin Echols to injury during the game. Echols returned for the final defensive series, which ended with Minnesota turning over on downs with 14 seconds left.
Inside linebacker Payton Wilson was credited by Austin for preventing further damage after chasing down Addison at the Steelers’ 1-yard line. The Vikings needed four more plays to score after Wilson’s effort. “It was unbelievable,” Austin said. “It’s probably the difference in the game. You make them run three plays. You make them burn time off the clock. And then if they do, and they did, get an opportunity to go back down, now you’re talking about a minute less time to try to get into field goal range.
“So it was a huge play. It’s why we talk to our guys all the time, that’s why we run to the ball. We talk about it in practice all the time, to finish and do those things and he did it and it was a great individual effort. His individual effort helped our team win the game.”
Outside linebacker Nick Herbig continued to contribute in his second consecutive start for Alex Highsmith, who is out with an ankle injury. Herbig’s pressure resulted in an intentional grounding penalty against Wentz late in the fourth quarter. Herbig ended with 1.5 sacks, a tackle for loss, and three quarterback hits against Minnesota after similar production against New England on September 21.
Austin indicated Herbig’s performance may affect future playing time even after Highsmith returns. “We are not gonna limit Nick Herbig,” Austin said. “He is showing up every week. He is disruptive. He’s a really good player for us and we’re gonna continue to find ways to get him on the field.”
