The Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense knows they must stop the run. And do it better than the 217 yards the defense allowed in Week 14’s first matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. But there’s one specific area the Steelers must be especially great in. And there’s optimism they can do it.
Situational football. That’s the name of these games. The difference can often be found in an opposing offense scoring seven or being held to a field goal for a four-point swing. Which means winning in the red zone and Sunday night, stopping the run in tight.
Baltimore ran at will against Green Bay but RB Derrick Henry was especially a battering ram inside the 10 yard line. He racked up 14 yards and two rushing scores from that range, no small feats considering how condensed that section of the field is. Henry also had two strong runs just outside the 10, too.
But in Week 14, Pittsburgh was excellent in these moments. Even without DL Derrick Harmon, the Steelers shut the door. Henry had four carries inside the 10 yard line. He gained just two yards.
Here’s a cut-up of each of those carries.
The Steelers did well to win the line of scrimmage. That must get replicated tomorrow night.
Pittsburgh’s certainly capable. The run defense has improved and Harmon’s inclusion plays an obvious role. As Dave Bryan pointed out on Friday’s Terrible Podcast, the Steelers were also missing SS Kyle Dugger for the first Ravens game. He suffered a hand injury in practice ahead of the game. He’s back in the lineup, though he needs to play better than he did when Buffalo ran rampant in Week 13.
It will be good on good. Over the last three weeks, no one has more total rushing yards than Baltimore. Over the last three weeks, no one has allowed fewer rushing yards than Pittsburgh.
The game will mostly be played between the 20s. But the game will be decided inside of it. Slow Henry down here and the Steelers will take a big step towards winning this winner-take-all contest.