BALTIMORE -- Brief and to the Point ...
• It might just be a feeling, and it might just be context, but the Steelers' defense sure is giving off a a more upbeat vibe these days, isn't it?
Yeah, I know, the Dolphins trampled them right up the gut. But that was without Cam Heyward.
And the Patriots rammed four touchdowns down their throats. But Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski and company don't leave many outliers in that regard.
And no, it doesn't mean much that they made Joe Flacco and the Ravens look lousy.
But if there's one tangible trend that's held true through most of this season's first half, it's that this defense doesn't give up many offensive touchdowns:
That's not a great body of work, by any means. Neither are the overall numbers. The Steelers rank 24th in total defense, allowing 375.6 yards per game. The run defense ranks 13th, the pass defense 24th, the takeaways 20th with just four interceptions and five fumble recoveries.
It's easy to say not much has changed from 2015. It might even be correct.
And yet, I'll cite three players in particular who might -- again, might -- be changing the face and fortunes of this defense, even while the team as a whole has fallen back:
Anthony Chickillo: Did you know he's been starting at left outside linebacker?
That began in Miami without much fanfare, when he supplanted Arthur Moats. He's five years younger, 10 pounds heavier, and he comes with the hunger of a sixth-round pick, as he was in 2015 out of Miami. He was mostly quiet in the first two starts, but Sunday saw six tackles, half a sack and two quarterback hurries.
He made a difference. And his arrow, as Mike Tomlin would say, is pointing up.
Artie Burns: An early-round corner who doesn't flop?
Oh, my, yes.
I've liked a lot of what I've seen and heard from Burns on and off the field, but nothing more than his mature, confident, poised performance in his first NFL start Sunday, one that saw four tackles, one for a loss, two passes defensed and his first career interception:
MORE STEELERS
Kaboly: Pouncey has surgery, likely to play
Carter's Classroom: Ben's road problems remain
Kaboly: Ben says 'That's his job'
DK Sports Radio: Tim, Mark talk Steelers