When It Comes To Permitting Large Performs, No Protection Is A Sieve Like The Steelers

Regardless of a protection that appeared as formidable as any, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2025 group isn’t simply struggling relative to expectations however to the remainder of the NFL. A unit unable to stop large performs by air or floor, the Steelers enter Week Three permitting probably the most performs of 15-plus yards within the NFL. Right here’s a listing of the worst offenders:

Most 15-Plus Performs Allowed (2025)

1. Steelers – 22
2. Patriots – 18
2. Giants – 18
4. Dolphins – 17
4. Titans – 17
4. Ravens – 17

Of that group, no crew is 2-0. Three of them, New York, Miami, and Tennessee, are winless.

Even with 2024’s collapse, Pittsburgh ranked above-average within the class a 12 months in the past. The Steelers gave up 110 such performs. Solely 14 of these got here in opposition to the run, tied for fourth-fewest within the NFL. Proper now, Pittsburgh’s on tempo to permit 187 of them. Eight of the 22 have come on the bottom, greater than half of final 12 months’s complete, and is tied with the Buffalo Payments (who needed to face Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, and firm in Week One) for many in soccer.

It’s one more stat to focus on how a lot the protection has struggled via two video games. The attention take a look at tells sufficient of the story. Poor run protection. Inadequate stress. Poor begins and dangerous situational soccer. Pittsburgh ranks twenty third in third down protection, twenty fourth within the crimson zone.

Life isn’t a lot better for the Steelers’ offense. Pittsburgh has registered simply 11 performs of 15-plus yards this season, tied for twenty first within the league. The bulk coming in Week One in opposition to the New York Jets. Versus the Seahawks, the Steelers recorded solely three of them. Most of which got here with the result already determined.

Pittsburgh spent the offseason in quest of chunk performs. Discovering methods for the offense to get large features downfield. A name the group has been sending out for literal years. Thus far, the one factor they’ve discovered is the protection is permitting them at an alarming fee. The one supply of consolation is realizing the New England Patriots, Sunday’s opponent, is struggling virtually as a lot.