Tim Benz: Steelers’ turnover-happy defense, opportunistic offense key ‘Feats of Strength’ vs. Jaguars
Share this post:
Welp, the Steelers did it. They had three straight “trap games.” But they managed to avoid all the traps.
In Dallas. At home against the Cincinnati Bengals. Then, on Sunday, they plowed through Jacksonville with a 27-3 victory over the Jaguars.
The teams have a combined 6-23-1 record. So it may not seem like much of a feat. But given their recent history of ill-timed losses against bad teams, that qualifies for our “Feats of Strength.”
Especially when the three wins allowed the franchise to stay unbeaten at 10-0.
Here are a few more “Feats of Strength” and some “Airing of Grievances” nominations after an unspectacular and less-than-memorable victory in Florida.
Given the circumstances, “unspectacular” and “less than memorable” are fine by me.
FEATS OF STRENGTH
Turnover time: I always thought the Steelers defense could replicate their pass rush numbers this year. After Sunday’s win, Keith Butler’s unit is up to a league-leading 38 sacks. It had 54 last season.
However, I never thought they’d be able to keep up with their unreal turnover rate from a season ago. After a league-leading total of 38 in 2019, the Steelers already have 21 in 2020, thanks to four interceptions of Jacksonville quarterback Jake Luton.
All four were from the starting safeties — two apiece from Terrell Edmunds and Minkah Fitzpatrick. For Edmunds, these were his first interceptions since Sept. 30, 2018.
INT #️⃣2️⃣ for @rell_island6
? CBS ?https://t.co/tI5aUTu7te pic.twitter.com/foVQRtepPg
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) November 22, 2020
“The first one was an overthrown ball,” Edmunds said. “Tips and overthrows, as a DB, that’s what you’re asking for. The second one was just playing my zone. Made a nice drop and just tried to help the team the best way I could.”
The Steelers’ 15 interceptions are the best in football heading into Monday night’s game. Tampa Bay plays the Los Angeles Rams. The Buccaneers have 12, good for second place.
— — —
Cash it in: Fitzpatrick’s first interception was the most important of the bunch. Not only did it stop a Jacksonville scoring drive, but it also resulted in a Steelers touchdown march.
And credit the offense for that drive.
The game was still in doubt at that point. It was 10-3 late in the second quarter and the Jaguars were driving toward the end zone when Fitzpatrick made the pick at his own 2-yard line off a Tyson Alualu deflection.
Our ball‼️@minkfitz_21 | ? CBS ?https://t.co/tI5aUTu7te pic.twitter.com/G54pdVPDas
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) November 22, 2020
After Fitzpatrick’s return, the Steelers took over with 2:57 left on the clock. And the Steelers put together perhaps their most efficient drive of the game, going 61 yards in seven plays and 2 minutes, 13 seconds. Benny Snell capped it off with a touchdown. As a result, the Steelers went into halftime up 17-3, instead of perhaps tied 10-10.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and company also turned Edmunds’ second pick into a touchdown during the fourth quarter, courtesy of Eric Ebron.
— — —
D.J.’s day: Diontae Johnson was excellent Sunday. The second-year wide receiver from Toledo caught a single-game career-high 12 balls for 111 yards, including this beautiful track of a tipped pass.
The concentration ?@Juiceup__3 | ? CBS pic.twitter.com/nHSOc5YnKo
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) November 22, 2020
The impact was particularly important, given that JuJu Smith-Schuster seemed to suffer a foot injury… while stepping on an official’s penalty flag?!
That just looked weird. But Smith-Schuster was in good spirits after the game, on his birthday.
Got the only present I wanted today: 10-0 ??
— JuJu Smith-Schuster (@TeamJuJu) November 22, 2020
Hopefully, Smith-Schuster blew out his candles and wished to be healthy by Thursday night against the Baltimore Ravens.
— — —
Since we’re on the topic…: While we are talking about the short week, it was good the Steelers put this game to bed in decisive fashion. Tomlin was able to spread some snaps and avoid taxing too many players before the big Thanksgiving game against Baltimore.
Everybody who dressed got to play. Running back James Conner only had to carry the ball 13 times. No defender needed to make more than five tackles.
“We don’t have control over health,” Tomlin said. “We don’t spend a lot of time worried about that. We understand that this is part of the game as much as blocking and tackling. We respect it.”
Two players that did get hurt were cornerback Joe Haden and tight end Zach Gentry. Haden was able to return after a leg injury. He tweeted he was OK after the game. Gentry’s injury was described as “serious” by Tomlin.
That’s a concern because fellow tight end Vance McDonald’s covid-19 status is still unknown.
— — —
I still like it: Normally this post is reserved for Steelers-related activities. But I have to say, I loved the surprise onside kick from the Jaguars.
C’mon! Wide receiver Keelan Cole Sr. trying to sneak an onside kick up 3-0 in the first quarter? Why not?
And it wasn’t bad. It could’ve worked. If Marcus Allen didn’t recover it, that play had…well, a chance.
Hey, they were 1-8. Might as well give it a shot.
— — —
AIRING OF GRIEVANCES
Ground game still not great: The Steelers’ running game was better. But it still wasn’t very good.
Yes. It got over 100 yards (106) for the first time in three weeks. But subtract one 25-yard jaunt from James Conner, and the team only averaged 3.1 yards on its remaining 26 carries.
“It was better today, and we will keep assessing it. We are not going to crack that nut with the first swing. It will take continual work and effort on our part to continue to work on our warts, and that is not our only wart. It’s just the one that you guys choose to recognize,” Tomlin said.
Well, if it wasn’t such an obvious wart, maybe we wouldn’t point out any at all.
— — —
Slow start: The “MAC school” from Jacksonville got off to a good start, holding the “Big Ten” team from Pittsburgh to a 3-0 deficit after the first quarter.
The Steelers looked bad at first, and anyone better than a 1-9 team may have been able to exploit Tomlin’s club and put it in a big hole.
The start of the second half wasn’t highlight-worthy either. In the first and third quarters combined, the Steelers’ offensive possessions were nothing but a missed field goal and four punts.
— — —
Wardrobe!: Lastly, how about this Stillers fan’s attire?
??STEELER NATION HAS THE BEST FANS, WE ARE FROM PITTSBURGH THE SIX TIME SUPERBOWL CHAMPS?? pic.twitter.com/bVF6vkQvw0
— Austin ⚫SteelersTake? (@SteelersTake) November 22, 2020
Nattily clad to be sure.
At least he’s wearing a mask.
No shirt. But a mask. Beggars can’t be choosers.