Carter: Bring down those big backs

Nov 16, 2017 • 2:58 am

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The Steelers' defense has to be focused on limiting the Titans' rushing offense when the teams meet tonight at Heinz Field, 8:25 p.m. kickoff. That's because DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry are powerful running backs who can build momentum throughout a game, tire out a defense and do their best work in the fourth quarter.

Sound familiar?

It should, because that very formula led to both of the Steelers' losses this season, as the Bears and Jaguars both managed to top 200 yards on the ground. Both of those teams' rushing attacks were led by a powerful running back, Jordan Howard and Leonard Fournette, who could run through tackles and take advantage of a tired defense late in the game.

To limit this problem, the Steelers' linebackers must be at their best. That means playing disciplined football and paying strict attention to gap integrity. The Titans will call plenty of zone run schemes to test that integrity and see how Ryan Shazier, Vince Williams, Bud Dupree and T.J. Watt can handle the rush.

In particular, look for a healthy dose of those runs to target the side where Watt lines up. The Colts tried that approach a few times last week but never got their ground game going and were limited to just 71 yards on 29 carries, a measly 2.44 yards per carry.

But even if the defense does win the early battles against the run, it will still be on the Steelers' offense to build a lead that will force the Titans to throw the ball and allow the defense to focus on a one-dimensional offense.

• Speaking of Watt, he's seen an increased role in the defense for three consecutive weeks now. While his playing time diminished against the Chiefs as the Steelers employed James Harrison in his favorable matchup against left tackle Eric Fisher, each week after that has featured Watt more and more. Against the Bengals, he saw 42 snaps, or 82.4 percent. That rose to 63 snaps and 88.7 percent in Detroit, 57 snaps and 96.6 percent in Indianapolis.

We reviewed Watt's progress in Carter's Classroom last week and highlighted how he has quickly included several pass rush moves in his repertoire. He's really good at pinning his ears back and rushing the passer, but each week he's also improving his comprehension of his role in Keith Butler's defense.

Again, watch closely tonight to see if the Titans try to target Watt and test his edge-setting skills against the run. If he turns them back and forces Marcus Mariota to the air more, the Steelers might have shown they can eliminate the biggest problem that's ailed their defense.

• Ben Roethlisberger, with 12 touchdowns and 10 interceptions to his name, still hasn't had a complete game. He delivered in the fourth quarter against the Colts, but there are still concerns as to how consistent he can be at both processing defenses and placing the football accurately.

Tonight, he faces a Tennessee defense that boasts the NFL's leader with six interceptions in Kevin Byard, a roaming safety who seems to fit well with Dick LeBeau's defense. When I study Byard on film, I'm most impressed by how he can play his role but also feel where an offense is trying to attack. That can only come from diligent film study and a strong grasp of what LeBeau has been teaching. However, it's worth noting that half his interceptions came in one game against the Browns' DeShone Kizer, and two more against Joe Flacco, both of whom have been intercepted by the Steelers' linebackers this season.

Still, Roethlisberger is going to have to pull away from his instincts to force passes into predictable spots and come into each play looking to make a new read that dissects each scheme by attacking its weak points. That also means making solid audible calls at the line and attacking with play-action on early downs, the better to counter the Titans' linebackers and safeties flying forward in anticipation of a Le'Veon Bell handoff.

• Establishing the run with Bell should also be a point of emphasis. The only other time Bell faced the Titans was back in 2014 in Nashville, also a night game, and he went berserk with 204 yards on 33 carries and a touchdown in a 27-24 victory. But that was when the Titans were in horrible shape, whereas today they sit atop the AFC South with a 6-3 record.

But how can the Steelers get another performance like that?

Again, play-action could help, but the key matchup will be the Steelers' interior offensive linemen, meaning Maurkice Pouncey, David DeCastro and Ramon Foster against the Titans' two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jurrell Casey and their leading tackler, inside linebacker Wesley Woodyard. Casey, in particular, is the kind of big mauler who has historically given the Steelers fits, though he also was there when Bell ran wild three years ago.

Keep an eye out to see who matches up with Casey and who's asked to accelerate to the second level to block Woodyard on running plays. My best guess: Pit DeCastro against Casey, as his strengths play better, and use Pouncey's quick acceleration off the ball to attack at the second level and seal Woodyard.

• Having mentioned the safety Byard, it would be a mistake to skip over the cornerbacks, Logan Ryan and Adoree' Jackson.

Ryan is coming off a Super Bowl championship with the Patriots and has shown he might have been more essential than some thought with New England's dropoff to last in pass defense. He's provided some stability to the Titans' 19th-ranked pass defense that's allowed 236.4 yards per game.

Opposite Ryan is Jackson, the rookie first-round pick. I reviewed Jackson's college tape back in early March and noted speed and agility that put him on par with any receiver running across the field, while his ball skills made him a threat to intercept any pass in his area. He also returned four kickoffs and four punts for touchdowns in his three years at USC and, in the NFL, has a 46-yard punt return and a 48-yard kickoff return.

Jackson might be lining up against his old USC teammate, JuJu Smith-Schuster, which could make for an interesting battle. Smith-Schuster is a more physical type of receiver, and that plays against the strength of the smaller Jackson. But if these two don't line up against each other, look for Jackson to try to keep up with Martavis Bryant. Jackson boasted a 4.42 time in the 40 at the NFL Combine last summer, but that might not be enough to run with Bryant on deep patterns.

For more on the Titans, check out my Carter's Video Classroom:

WHAT'S BREWING?

• The Pirates' dismissal of Rene Gayo, their longtime Latin American scouting director, is covered by Lance Lysowski. DK will lead Friday Insider with his contributions on the topic.

• This week's Matt's Stats, penned by our Penguins beat reporter Matt Gajtka and sponsored by Schneider Downs, digs deep into the depth chart to carve up fourth-line production.

• Hey, come out and meet DK and a bunch of us Friday night -- that's tomorrow -- for an on-site Q&A session, 6-8 p.m. at The Clubhouse in Gibsonia! Ask questions, win prizes! Attendees can also grab a Miller Lite aluminum pint for $2.75! Be sure to RSVP and see all event details at our event page here.