The Steelers have led the NFL in sacks for two consecutive seasons and look ready to three-peat after their seven-sack performance Sunday night in Nashville, as they beat the Titans, 18-6. The sacks came from their first-, second- and third-string defensive units and from both inside and outside blitzes.
Let's take a closer look at some of their better sacks on the Titans in their third preseason win of 2019:
After the Steelers' offense stalled on their first drive, Jordan Berry pinned the Titans' offense inside the 5 with a well placed punt. After a pass was broken up by Terrell Edmunds, the Steelers' pass rush got to work to score the first points of the game with a safety on Marcus Mariota.
What was brilliant about the sack was how Stephon Tuitt and Cam Heyward capitalized off each other. They ran a twist rush with Tuitt crashing into the center and Heyward twisting around his rush, but Tuitt had already destroyed the pocket and finished the play:
The Steelers need Tuitt to succeed to take their defense to the next level. They've already seen Heyward earn All-Pro honors and have a double-digit sack season, but with Tuitt entering his prime it could make them the most dangerous interior pass rush duo in the NFL.
Just to remind everyone how good Heyward was, he had his own sack when he pounded Ryan Tannehill in the second quarter. Watch how quick he is off the ball. Nobody can even get a clean shot on his frame. He finishes his burst off the ball with a quick shoulder dip, then wraps up Tannehill to finish the play:
Having the Steelers' interior rush clicking is a prime necessity to their 2019 campaign. When it was just Heyward, they were already a serious threat. But if Tuitt and Javon Hargrave continue to improve, it could make for a long season for opposing quarterbacks.
That being said, the Steelers' edge rushing capabilities should not be ignored. Although T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree didn't record an official sack, Tuzar Skipper recorded a sack to give him three on the preseason — one in each game.
Not only did Skipper record the sack, he forced his second fumble of the preseason when he took down Logan Woodside, flipping the field. Skipper lines up at left outside linebacker and is so quick out of his stance that the tackle can't get set in his spot. Once Skipper gets behind the line he makes a sharp turn to get Woodside and force the fumble. Notice how sharply he turns into the pocket, showcasing his explosiveness and agility off the edge:
There are too many good things about Skipper's preseason for the Steelers to ignore, and it only confirms what I wrote last Friday about his case to make the team.
That's important depth to support a dangerous front of All-Pro Heyward, Pro Bowl rusher Watt, and the promise that both Tuitt and Dupree show. That still doesn't count for what defensive coordinator Keith Butler does to draw up creative blitzes for his inside linebackers and defensive backs.
There's a lot going for the Steelers' 2019 pass rush, and there's no reason to think it won't be the best part of the defense moving forward.
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MORE CLASSROOM
August 23: Skipper's rush for roster spot
August 22: Rookie Johnson belongs
August 21: Rudolph’s accuracy leading QB race
August 20: Dupree angles for success
