The Pittsburgh Steelers showed improvement in a lot of areas on defense during Week 3 versus the New England Patriots. Behind a strong game from All-Pro defensive lineman Cameron Heyward, the Steelers forced five takeaways and posted five sacks.
But the Steelers defense still struggled in some key areas, including on third down. The Patriots converted 6 of 13 third-down attempts and were also 4-for-5 on fourth down.
After the game, Heyward addressed the team’s issues with getting off the field in Week 3.
“I think sometimes we were not paying attention to our assignments. Sometimes you can get a little thirsty in there,” Heyward told reporters after the game. “You think that it’s just going to be a sneak or two.
“But then on the flip side, it can make you susceptible to big passes. We’ve got to have our eyes in the right places. This is something that we can learn from.”
The Steelers learned just enough on the fly to hold onto a 21-14 victory against the Patriots on Sunday.
The Patriots failed to convert their only third-down try on their final drive of the contest. At the time, the Steelers defense was protecting a 7-point lead.
New England didn’t convert, but gained 12 yards on third-and-13 on the team’s final possession. Then on fourth-and-1, the Steelers didn’t allow a pass to beat them.
Depth cornerback Brandin Echols made a key tackle in the flat on receiver DeMario Douglas. The tackle led to a 1-yard loss and turnover on downs to end the game.
Steelers Defensive Struggles on Third & Fourth Down
The Pittsburgh defense did a terrific job of taking the ball away in Week 3. Twice, the Steelers forced turnovers when the Patriots were inside the 5-yard line.
On one of those occasions, Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson fumbled with the ball just shy of the goal line.
But when the Steelers weren’t forcing fumbles or interceptions, their defense couldn’t get off the field.
Before the final drive, the Patriots were 6-for-12 on third down. On four of those non-conversions, New England gained enough yards on third down to create a fourth-and-short situation.
In all four of those fourth-and-shorts, the Patriots elected to go for it and converted the opportunity.
New England didn’t just convert those fourth downs but gashed the Steelers defense. The Patriots averaged 8.75 yards per play on their first four fourth-down tries.
One of New England’s fourth-down conversions was a 16-yard touchdown pass.
Steelers’ Cameron Heyward Tipped Another Pass for INT
Pundits expect Heyward to be one of Pittsburgh’s best defenders every week. After a little bit of a subpart Week 1, Heyward has delivered back-to-back stellar performances.
In Week 3, the veteran defensive lineman posted six total tackles. He also had a sack, pass defense and quarterback hit.
Heyward’s pass defense came late in the first half with the Patriots at the Steelers 2-yard line. The defensive lineman tipped a pass, which Echols intercepted in the end zone.
That was one of the five takeaways for the Steelers and first of two inside the 5-yard line.
Without the tipped pass interception, the Patriots likely at least kick a field goal before halftime. If everything else was the same, New England could have had the lead in the fourth quarter.
Instead, despite third and fourth down defensive issues, the Steelers never trailed Sunday. They improved to 2-1 with their first victory at New England since 2008.
