The Pittsburgh Steelers have remained one of the crucial persistently aggressive groups in current reminiscence. Regardless of who he’s teaching, Mike Tomlin has managed to maintain the group afloat and within the playoff race 12 months in and 12 months out. For those who’re acquainted in any respect with the Steelers over the previous twenty years, you recognize that’s as a result of efforts of the protection, particularly the previous few seasons. Former Steeler security Mike Logan appears to be properly conscious of that.
As a participant who spent 10 seasons as a defensive again within the NFL, few folks on the planet know extra concerning the defensive aspect of the ball than Mike Logan. Logan appeared on The Draft Nation LIVE on Friday, and he spoke about his appreciation for the best way Pittsburgh is taking part in protection in 2024.
“I like this group defensively, the place they’re going,” Logan stated. “I get a bit jealous watching them guys on the market. They’re breaking information and doing issues we didn’t assume could possibly be achieved once more. Simply to observe gamers like T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward, Minkah Fitzpatrick, it makes you are feeling good.”
While the offense has picked things up over the previous few weeks, the Steelers’ protection was a significant component of their wins to start the season. The Steelers have their 6-2 file now due to staunch defensive efforts early within the 12 months. They beat high quality groups together with the Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers due to these efforts.
The best of metrics, factors in opposition to, reveals how dominant the unit has been. Pittsburgh’s allowed simply 119 factors by way of eight video games. That’s tied for the second-fewest within the NFL, a median of simply 14.8 factors per sport. They’ve struggled barely in opposition to the go, giving up the Tenth-most passing yards within the league at 1,758, and partially resulting from groups throwing as they play from behind. Nonetheless, they’ve been dominant in opposition to the run. The Steelers have allowed 724 dashing yards, the fifth-fewest within the league.
Logan is aware of what a very good Steelers’ protection appears to be like like. Enjoying for Pittsburgh from 2001 through 2006, the ’01 and ’02 groups ranked top-ten in factors allowed. As did the 2005 protection that actually tightened up for his or her playoff run, holding all 4 opponents below 20 factors. That included high-octane offenses just like the Indianapolis Colts and Seattle Seahawks, the No. 2 and No. 1 scoring groups that 12 months. Pittsburgh is simply the third group in Tremendous Bowl historical past to attain that, becoming a member of the legendary 2000 Baltimore Ravens and 1983 Washington Redskins.
We’ll see if Pittsburgh’s protection continues to make Logan proud because the group continues their push for the playoffs.
