What the media always gets wrong about the Steelers is the assumption the defense is a horrible weakness

[polamalubeast]

The Pittsburgh Steelers are a team with a dynamic offense, but the narrative of their defense being an Achilles heel is completely false.

If you’ve followed the Pittsburgh Steelers since their Super Bowl 45 appearance, you’ve heard a lot of false narratives surrounding the team. One of those narratives is just how bad the defense is, and how it will be the reason the team never climbs that “stairway to seven” which has been proclaimed since Super Bowl 43.

Now, this narrative hasn’t always been false. There were those rebuilding years when the defense was having to restart from the ground floor and patch together a team worthy of postseason play. After many consecutive years in the playoffs, last year reaching the AFC Championship game, it is time for this narrative to be put to rest.

I am not trying to prove this 2017 defense is perfect, or even great, but the thought of the team having to win solely by their lethal offense is something which simply isn’t true anymore. Sure, an offense that can score at will makes things a lot easier for any defense, but the Steelers defense has proven they are capable of winning games even if their offense doesn’t find the endzone as much as everyone hopes.


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https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/pittsburgh-steelers-opinions-reactions-news-updates/2017/9/20/16335202/the-media-always-gets-wrong-about-the-steelers-is-the-assumption-the-defense-is-a-horrible-weakness

[st33lersguy]

The issue isn't whether or not they can step up against bad and mediocre offenses, they proved that last year. The issue will be can they step up against QBs the caliber Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers and those elite offenses

[steelreserve]

The defense isn't horrible by any means. It looks competent so far. The question is whether it will be competent enough. This year, it probably will against mediocre teams and even some pretty-good teams, but if it stands up to the elite offenses, it'd be a pleasant surprise. Next year as the younger players gain experience and the unit has time to come together, this defense could be scary good.

[Edman]

The Steelers D is above competent so far.

The issue is that they have yet to prove themselves against the top tier offenses. We're not that far away from Tom Brady mocking them (again) in the AFC Title game. Every time we think the Defense has taken the next step, along comes New England to expose them. If the Defense can even manage to contain the Patriots, it would be a surprise. Brady has not been intercepted by a Steelers Defense since 2005.

The Defense plays Brady again and Aaron Rodgers this year. Those will be their major test to see where the D is. They also play Luck, Stafford, Mariota and Smith, who aren't in the muderors' row, but aren't exactly mediocre/garbage-tier either. The D will be tested then as well.

If this Defense is truly good, now is the chance to prove it. Go out there and dominate. Like Cam Heyward said, they gave up too many holes to Dalvin Cook Sunday, and they're playing Mike Glennon, who carved up the Defense in Pittsburgh three years ago, and Joe Flacco in a showdown in Baltimore in Week 4, where the Ravens have been basically invincible. If anything the first big tests are coming right up for the Defense and this team.

[43Hitman]

I think this defense is on the cusp of being historically good.

[polamalubeast]

The next step for this defense is be good against elite offense like GB and NE.

[DesertSteel]

If these guys can stay healthy I think the D will have a special season. Top 5.