Steelers Defense Is Key to Pittsburgh's Playoff Hopes

Sunday’s 42-21 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals was a huge win for the Pittsburgh Steelers. And that victory was powered by the offense. Running back Le’Veon Bell ran all over the Bengals defense until they finally submitted. Unfortunately, the defense once again struggled mightily when it comes to giving up the big play.

Pittsburgh’s division win today puts them into the final Wild Card spot in the AFC, and really gives this team some momentum going into these final three games. However, if the defense, and specifically the defensive secondary, don’t stop hemorrhaging big plays, the rest of it isn’t going to matter.

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The story against the Bengals was a familiar one. Another week, and another team gets their longest offensive play of the year on this group. This Sunday it was wide receiver A.J. Green who got behind cornerback Ike Taylor for an 81-yard touchdown catch.

You think that’s bad? According to Alex Kozora of Steelersdepot.com, this is the fourth week in a row a team has set such a mark.

"

This is the FOURTH straight week the Steelers' defense is responsible giving up the opponents' longest pass play of the year. #Steelers

— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) December 7, 2014"

A rather dubious stat to say the least. However, as bad as Green’s play was, it wasn’t the worst play the defense gave up on Sunday. No, that distinction came at the 4:45 mark of the second quarter.

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The Bengals were driving on the Steelers and had the ball on Pittsburgh’s 20-yard line. Cincinnati runs the zone read and quarterback Andy Dalton decides to keep. Now, keep in mind that while Dalton is a pretty athletic guy, this isn’t Marcus Mariota we are talking about.

On the fake inside, the Pittsburgh defense completely sells out on the give. Linebackers Jason Worilds and Lawrence Timmons are sucked inside, and behind them safety Troy Polamalu bites hard. Dalton sees the over-pursuit by the Steelers defense and just scampers into the end zone untouched.

On the same play, the cornerbacks on the play side fly to the wide receivers at the snap and never even realize it is a run play until it is much too late.

It is this lack of discipline and smart football by the veterans that magnifies the lack of talent around them. Here’s a sampling of the commentary around Twitter about the performance of the Steelers defense on Sunday.

"

Steelers defense continue to be shredded down the field....miss communication...missed assignments....Bengals even score 7-7

— Bob Pompeani (@KDPomp) December 7, 2014"

"

Thats now 15 pass plays of at least 40 yards or more this year given up by Steelers defense..

— Bob Pompeani (@KDPomp) December 7, 2014"

"

Lot of records being set against leaky Steelers defense this season

— Ed Bouchette (@EdBouchette) December 7, 2014"

"

Story of the #Steelers season so far...flashes of strong defense marred by a few big plays allowed, defense ultimately falters.

— BTSC Steelers (@btsteelcurtain) December 7, 2014"

Comments like these from Steelers writers and pundits are telling. This group has experienced significant turnover this season with injuries, but that’s really no excuse. There is enough of a core of veteran players that this group should be more competitive.

You want a sobering reality about this defense? Going into Sunday’s game, this defense was ranked No. 29 in the league in yards allowed. Yes, the same defense coached by the legendary defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau is among the three worst defenses in the league in yards allowed. If that’s not a lump of coal in your stocking I don’t know what is.

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

Looking forward to the next three games, what does the Steelers' coaching staff do? It is time to take a hard look at the defensive personnel. Guys like cornerback Ike Taylor and safety Mike Mitchell should end up on the permanent naughty list and let some young guys step in.

The youth movement has begun on the defensive line and linebackers; the defensive backs must be next. The Steelers have already put veteran Cortez Allen on injured reserve for what I can only assume is a defective coverage gene, and Taylor was benched as well.

According to Scott Brown of ESPN, Tomlin indicated it was due to a concern with his ability to run after hurting his knee.

"

Tomlin says he took Ike Taylor out of game after A.J. Green long TD because he didn't think he could run well enough with knee contusion.

— Scott Brown (@ScottBrown_ESPN) December 7, 2014"

Oh Coach Tomlin, you had me at “didn’t think he could run”. This group is in complete disarray, but at the same time must be the unit that carries this team into the playoffs. As great as the offense has been for stretches, the defense must tighten up if this team has a prayer in the postseason.