(Photo by Bryan Bennett/Getty Images)
According to Next Gen Stats: Pittsburgh blitzed on just two of 54 dropbacks (3.7%). That is the second-lowest rate recorded by a Steelers defense since 2016. Last year, they blitzed on 39.6% of dropbacks (3rd highest percentage in the league).
Despite sending four and even three-man rushes, they still got pressure on Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills offensive line.
T.J Watt recorded two sacks, a tackle for a loss, five quarterback hits, and a forced fumble.
Pro Football Focus credited Melvin Ingram with eight quarterback pressures, and Cam Heyward had 12 on the way to being their highest-graded player in Week 1.
This is all without another impactful piece to their the 3 in that vaunted 3-4 defense in Stephon Tuitt.
While Allen was able to complete his throws and even got a touchdown on a connection to Gabriel Davis, it didn’t felt like he was killing the Steelers.
The secondary had a great day. A point of contention for many fans this offseason, it felt like they had things covered, which allowed the Steelers to get what amounted to coverage sacks.
When you think of the crown jewel offenses in this league, creating that much havoc with fewer bodies going forward could benefit them against the upper echelon QBS like Mahomes, Rodgers, and Wilson.
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