‘Non permanent Blip:’ Analyst Thinks Steelers Will Get Again To ‘Imposing Protection’
Why is the Pittsburgh Steelers’ protection so dangerous to begin the 2025 NFL season? Shouldn’t they contend for the highest spot within the league? Or be a top-10 protection at worst? Properly, the Steelers appear to have discovered a approach for the worst to be a lot worse than we thought.
The Steelers gave up 299 yards on the bottom by means of the primary two video games (and 4 speeding touchdowns). It took till the fourth recreation of final 12 months earlier than the Steelers allowed 299 yards speeding in whole. They’ve additionally allowed 450 passing yards and three passing touchdowns. For all of the expectations on this protection, 2025 is a catastrophe to this point.
Analyst Bucky Brooks referred to as it “one of many largest surprises of the younger season” to this point in his Scout’s Pocket book for NFL.com on Friday. He chalks it up primarily to 2 issues: accidents and scheme tweaks. We all know the Steelers have been banged up within the secondary. However Brooks highlighted a renewed concentrate on blitzing, mixed with taking part in extra man-to-man, resulting in massive performs.
“Throw in a refined schematic shift to characteristic extra man-to-man protection this season, and also you get a greater sense as to why the Steelers have given up extra explosive performs than we’re accustomed to seeing in Pittsburgh’s again finish,” Brooks wrote. “Austin aspires to discipline a lockdown unit that takes away straightforward throws with sticky protection, however miscommunication on potential switches has resulted in additional massive performs down the sphere.”
Based on our very personal Alex Kozora, no group is giving up extra performs of 15-plus yards than the Steelers. They’ve given up 22 such performs by means of two weeks. That’s 4 greater than the 2 closest groups, the New England Patriots and the New York Giants.
We noticed the Steelers get burned by the identical play idea in back-to-back video games. Each instances, they gave up lengthy touchdowns. They’ve given up different massive performs, too. That features a late one within the loss to the Seattle Seahawks final Sunday to assist the Seahawks ice the sport. Nevertheless, it’s not simply the cross protection giving up massive performs.
The Steelers’ run protection is culpable, too. Opponents ran for 299 yards over the primary two video games of the season in opposition to the Steelers, and 160 of these yards got here on 10 carries.
Of the #Steelers‘ 299 rush yards allowed by means of two video games, 160 of them have come on 10 explosive runs of 10 or extra yards.
Explosive:
10 makes an attempt, 160 yards (16 avg.)The Relaxation:
58 makes an attempt, 139 yards (2.4 avg.)Run protection has been feast or famine with approach an excessive amount of feasting.
— Ross McCorkle (@Ross_McCorkle) September 15, 2025
General, the once-proud Steelers’ protection is in shambles. However Bucky Brooks doesn’t suppose that may final.
“The Steelers’ assortment of proficient and skilled playmakers at a number of ranges makes me suppose this can be a non permanent blip,” Brooks wrote. “I can’t think about the protection will proceed to play this poorly, particularly as soon as among the injured gamers return to motion. With extra reps and in-game expertise, the chemistry, communication and superior skill will finally click on and end result within the sort of imposing protection we’ve lengthy related to the Metal Metropolis.”
The Steelers have an excessive amount of expertise defensively to be this dangerous over the course of the season. However the first two weeks have been horrible. If the Steelers wish to win a playoff recreation this 12 months, they usually do, they’ll have to get the protection proper and quick. And Brooks believes they are going to get it proper, finally.
