As the season nears the midpoint, it remains odd to see the Steelers’ defense so far down the list when it comes to turnovers created. They rank tied for 28th in the NFL with six, and have yet to force more than one in any game.
But during their current three-game winning streak, which they hope to extend Monday night at home against the Bears, the Steelers have delivered timely takeaways in the fourth quarter, and beyond.
James Pierre’s last-minute interception in the end zone against the Broncos persevered a 27-19 victory on Oct. 10. A week later, it was T.J. Watt strip-sacking Geno Smith in overtime and Devin Bush falling on the fumble to set up a short field goal and a 23-20 triumph against the Seahawks.
Last Sunday, the forced fumble created by Joe Schobert and recovered by Watt in Pittsburgh’s 15-10 road win over the Browns wasn’t as dramatic in terms of time remaining, but it was every bit as crucial. The 11-yard pass completion from Baker Mayfield to Jarvis Landry with 6:14 left would have given the Browns a first down at the Steelers’ 21, and afforded them an excellent chance to retake the lead.
“It’s something we have continued to work on, and we’re going to continue to work on,” Watt said Saturday afternoon of forcing turnovers. “ . . . We’re trying to find ways to create that splash (play) that we always talk about (and) that we’ve been able to get for the past four or five years since I’ve been here.”
The Steelers led the league in forced turnovers in 2019 with 38 and were second last season with 27.
Part of the issue has been not getting sustained pressure on opposing quarterbacks. After leading the league in sacks the past four years, they rank tied for 10th with 19. Some that can be attributed to the absences of Stephon Tuitt and Tyson Alualu, and Watt taking a few weeks to return to top form after a groin injury. They also were frequently playing from behind during their 1-3 start, allowing opponents to be a bit more conservative in their approach.
The defense is beginning to make more plays — it sacked Mayfield four times — and it welcomes a rookie quarterback Justin Fields, of the Bears, to Heinz Field on Monday. Chicago has 11 turnovers on the season.
“We know they come in bunches, they come in waves, and you can’t press too hard because then we will have problems like we had early in the season — myself in particular out of gaps, trying to do too much,” Watt said. “We have to play assignment-sound football and those things will come.”
MORE FROM STEELERS PRACTICE
• Mike Tomlin said quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will play against the Bears despite the quarterback showing up on the injury report with a right shoulder injury Friday. “Ben is playing,” the coach said. “It’s just things to manage. He’s been doing this a long time and I’ve been doing it a long time with him. We generally do a good job of communicating and managing such things.”
• Tomlin added that he gave Minkah Fitzpatrick a day off from practice Saturday, but that the safety is expected to play. He was listed on the injury report with a foot injury.
• Since the second or third week of the regular season, Najee Harris has been spending time in the offensive linemen's meeting room to get a better idea of how they can work together more efficiently in the run game. “I stay here so late and I’ll go in there by myself a lot usually because I have nothing else to do,” the running back said. “I don’t have a life outside of this. I stay extra.”
The conversations and film study with his blockers are paying off for Harris, named the AFC Rookie of the Month for October.
“(We’re) just learning his keys and aiming points,” left tackle Dan Moore Jr. said. “(He is) wanting to know what our aiming points are so he can know what (combination blocks) are going, and possibly where the hole is going to be before it opens.”
Harris said he had similar meetings at Alabama with offensive linemen, but that they are more extensive at this level.
“It’s beneficial for us to be on the same page with a lot of things,” he said.
• Harris has been running the ball more effectively in recent weeks, combining for 294 yards in the past three games. He's averaging just 3.7 yards per carry this season -- the second-lowest total among the NFL's top-15 rushers -- but adjusting to the reality of his situation. He's a rookie playing behind a young and inexperienced offensive line.
“Ben would tell me when I got here, ‘you can’t break every run in the NFL,’” Harris said. “ . . . (It's about) understanding that not every run is going to be a home run. A four-yard run is good because it’s second down and shorter and you can run better plays and it makes it easier for the offensive coordinator and the rest of the team. Taking what they give you is really big in the NFL (from what) I’m learning.”
• The injury report:
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Ben Roethlisberger was a full participant Friday meaning to the surprise of no one, he will be on the field Sunday for the Steelers though as our Dale Lolley pointed out yesterday, he's got a new injury he's dealing with, this one in his right shoulder. Cam Heyward was also a full participant as he's listed with an ankle injury.
The newest addition was safety Minkah Fitzpatrick who was held out of practice with a foot injury. A late addition such as his, is not the greatest news at this point in the week, though it could mean nothing more than a maintenance day for the veteran.
B.J. Finney was listed as questionable for Monday's game while tight end Eric Ebron was downgraded to out as he battles with a hamstring injury.
Chris Boswell continues to work through concussion protocol and was a full participant for the second day in a row. It's expected he's taken out of concussion protocol and will be active for the game against the Bears.
