The Pittsburgh Steelers defense held the Cleveland Browns to season lows in points and rushing yards in their dominant 27-6 victory at Acrisure Stadium this past Sunday. As they enter the bye, the Steelers defense ranks third in scoring defense, allowing just 18 points per game through eight games. However, it wasn’t always sunshine and rainbows for the defensive unit early in the season.
In fact, the first time the Steelers and Browns met this season, T.J. Watt was caught yelling into a headset on the sideline
at defense coordinator Patrick Graham after a miscommunication led to a Cleveland touchdown. After that game, Graham moved from the booth to the sidelines with his players. The Steelers have rattled off four consecutive wins since Graham moved to the sidelines, backed by exceptional defensive play.
Appearing on “NFL Report” with Andrew Siciliano, Steelers edge rusher Alex Highsmith detailed how Graham’s move down to the sidelines has changed the Steelers’ defense.
“You know, I do believe that was a turning point for us,” Highsmith said. “Obviously, he’s been on the field with us ever since and so just him being down there is just really helped us a lot, for sure. But, you know PG’s been awesome, ever since he came in he’s just had a desire for us to be great. He’s a football guy, he knows football so well, and so I just think as we continue to gel as a unit, gel as a defense, you know it’s only going to be better from here on out. Like I said, I just love the way we are progressing as a defense so we just gotta continue to play like we have been and with him (Graham) calling plays, just excited to see what he continues to scheme up to put guys in positions to make plays.”
Pittsburgh boasts the third most takeaways in the league with 13, while allowing just 83.9 rushing yards per game to opponents at the midway point in their season. It seems like Pittsburgh finally has the right man leading the charge defensively in Graham. Highsmith’s praise of the scheme and putting guys in positions to make plays is a great sign that the players have bought into what Graham is selling them. The Steelers look well on their way to having their first season with a top-ten scoring defense since 2023, and it seems like it only took a simple move to the sidelines to make a world of difference.
Let us know what you think in the comments. Be sure to bookmark Behind the Steel Curtain for all the latest news, breakdowns, and more!
- Former Steelers cornerback announces retirement
- Former Steelers RB Merril Hoge joins in praise of Mike McCarthy
- Tom Brady says no one is stopping Aaron Rodgers, Steelers in the AFC North
- Former Steelers QB Russell Wilson interviews for head coach job
- Adam Schefter shuts down Garrett Wilson to Steelers trade rumor
