The Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense has shown significant improvement in stopping the run, according to recent team statistics. After allowing 217 rushing yards against the Ravens on December 7, the Steelers have since led the NFL by allowing only 52 rushing yards per game over their last three games. They have also given up just 2.9 yards per carry and are currently the only NFL team that has not allowed a rushing touchdown during this period.
Head coach Mike Tomlin addressed questions about the return of Derrick Harmon, noting that reporters have tracked defensive performance with and without him. The Steelers allow an average of 166 rushing yards per game without Harmon, but only 87 with him on the field. Even before Harmon’s return, in a game against Miami, Pittsburgh allowed just 63 yards on 16 carries. With Harmon back for games against Detroit and Cleveland, they held those teams to a combined total of 93 rushing yards.
Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin explained the turnaround: “When you look at the bigs up front,” he said, “they’re playing with their hands, they’re not running sideways, they’re knocking people back. I always try to make a point when we watch the tape – when we see good run defense, and us playing good run defense – as we’re watching the tape I can see everybody’s number. I can see the backs of their number. I don’t see sideways. I see him square, knocking people back. And I think that’s really the big thing. That’s really what’s helped us. When we’re playing good defense, you can see it. You can see all of our guys playing square. We’re not running sideways creating creases and holes. And so that’s really the big thing.
“When our bigs are playing like that, our linebackers are able to play downhill and it’s a trickle effect.
“Our perimeter guys have to play well, too. We don’t have good run defense if our perimeter guys are not involved. And so, I think in the last three weeks, our perimeter guys have done a good job in terms of being on the edge and tackling and not letting things get outside the defense.”
Austin acknowledged that Harmon’s presence has strengthened their defensive line significantly.
He is also optimistic about T.J. Watt’s possible return after missing three games due to injury: “It’ll be great to have him back,” Austin said. “What capacity? We’ll find out (but) not until Sunday. But it’ll be great to have him back, and I would think that he’ll only strengthen our group.”
On pass defense, cornerback Joey Porter Jr.’s performance was highlighted by Austin for both his coverage skills and consistency this season: “New stats. I like it,” Austin said with a laugh. “I think he’s starting to play really well, and it’s good to see… It starts in the classroom and then bringing it to the practice field… It’s more consistent… He’s doing some good stuff… He’s solid there… He’s in the right spots.”
Porter has not allowed a touchdown pass over his last 1,444 coverage snaps dating back to his rookie season in Week 8 of 2023 according to NextGenStats.
Austin praised Porter’s impact against division rivals like Baltimore: “That might be his dad. He might’ve got that a long time ago.” Austin said with a smile.”He loves rivalry games… Nothing’s more high than this week for us.”
Offensively, coordinator Arthur Smith discussed decisions made during recent games including opting for aggressive plays instead of conservative ones late in close contests: “Tried to be a little more aggressive,” said Smith regarding a fourth-down decision against Cleveland where an end-zone pass fell incomplete.
Smith also commented on efforts by receivers stepping up amid injuries: “The guys stepped up in different ways,” Smith said.”We had guys get open.We didn’t make the play,and that’s really the story of two games.”
The Pittsburgh Steelers compete as part of the National Football League as one of its member franchises based at Acrisure Stadium.Acrisure Stadium serves as both home stadium and headquarters.The franchise has achieved six Super Bowl championships, marking it among football’s most successful teams.The organization preserves its legacy through initiatives such as its Hall of Honor, celebrating notable contributors throughout team history.
