Pittsburgh Steelers’ defensive line needs to step up game to save season – NFL News
The Pittsburgh Steelers have acknowledged their poor defensive effort this season, which to an extent is a direct result of lengthy absence of their key defence players due to injury scares earlier in the season.
At one point the Steelers were without safety Troy Polamalu, linebacker James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley. They are still without cornerback Ike Taylor.
Still, some analysts think it is a poor effort by the team’s defence this year by all standards, which had an impact on their overall performance.
According to this year’s record the Steelers rank 27th in the league in turnovers. This includes 13 forced turnovers. Further, they are tied at 23rd for sacks with total 27 sacks, and they acknowledged this is not an effort the team
has been known for previously.
Safety Ryan Clark admits:
"I've dropped a ball that hit me in my face against Kansas City Chiefs. Keenan dropped one against Tennessee. (Larry) Foote's dropped balls. We've had opportunities and that's on us."
According to defensive coordinator d**k LeBeau:
"You can talk about a lot of statistics, but leading the league in yardage yielded is an important one. Do we need more interceptions? Sure. We need more turnovers ... but every week we're trying to keep our football team in the game, keep the score in a
manageable position."
The Steelers must step up their game defensively this week if they need to stay alive in the playoff race. Otherwise, they will have a substantial time to rethink to their strategy at defence and get the line ready well in time for the next season.
They are in a must-win situation this Sunday, against the rivals the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals are a game ahead of the Steelers and they must win this and next game to get past them into the playoffs.
Coach Mike Tomlin hopes that they will have all the players healthy and fit on offensive as well as defensive line, so that they can try their best to walk over the visitors.
It is pertinent to mention that the team has already ruled out CB Ike Taylor for this week, and this leaves safety Ryan Clark Troy Polamalu as crucial to their win chances.
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