The Pittsburgh Steelers lead the NFL in defense because they are first in total yardage allowed, first in passing yardage allowed, and first in rushing yardage allowed.
They could be the first team to win that triple crown in 17 years. The Philadelphia Eagles last accomplished the feat in 1991.
The Steelers have also allowed the fewest points in the league, making them No. 1 across the board.
Dick LeBeau, did you hear that?
“No. 1 across the board won’t get you a cup of coffee,” said the Steelers’ defensive coordinator.
And he’s right. Those Eagles finished 10-6, but didn’t make the playoffs in 1991.
For the 7-2 Steelers, the numbers are bright and shiny on paper, and look to get even better at the Meadowlands, where the AFC North Division leaders play the 1-8 New York Jets today at 4:05 p.m.
It’s time to add to the gaudy numbers, right? Maybe impress the country with a big, fat blowout? Something to improve their place in the various media power rankings?
“Not in this league,” said LeBeau. “You don’t think about blowouts or easy wins in this league. I’m just hoping we can score one more point than them.”
The Steelers aren’t taking the Jets lightly. The Steelers are the runaway defensive kings of the league and have the No. 5 offense, while the Jets are 30th and 29th, respectively. But, again, those numbers won’t get anyone a cup of coffee.
“On paper and on the field, they are a totally different team,” said Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. “You can’t look at the on-paper stuff. You have to focus on what kind of team they are and we looked at them (Wednesday) and they’re pretty good on defense.”
When it was pointed out to Roethlisberger that the Jets are last in the league against the run, Roethlisberger showed what he’s learned this season.
“The Broncos were last and we lost to them,” he said. “We’re going into it approaching it as if they’re a great defense, which they are.”
The Jets are led up front by nose tackle Dewayne Robertson, who’s missed practice time most of the week with a knee injury. Shaun Ellis is still up front and Bryan Thomas has turned into a quality 3-4 outside linebacker. Inside, rookie David Harris – whom Steelers coach Mike Tomlin called “a thumper” – has filled in for injured Jonathan Vilma, and he made 14 tackles in his first start.
Cornerback is perhaps the Jets’ greatest weakness. A pair of Pitt products – rookie Darrelle Revis and former Steeler Hank Poteat – are charged with cooling off Roethlisberger.
“He’s playing at a really high level right now, a really high level,” Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said of Roethlisberger. “You couldn’t ask for more of his performance on the field. When you throw in the improvisation, run and pass, he’s playing lights out.”
On the other hand, the quarterback position for the Jets is another glaring weakness. Weak-armed veteran Chad Pennington has been replaced by 2006 second-round draft pick Kellen Clemens. He has a passer rating of 59.3, but is 6-foot-2, 223 pounds with a strong arm and fluid throwing motion. He also has a healthy Laveranues Coles to provide big-play ability. Jerricho Cotchery and Justin McCareins are quality No. 2 and 3 receivers. Former Bear Thomas Jones is the tailback and has proven his skills through the years.
The biggest concern facing the Steelers is said to be NFL league-leading return man Leon Washington, but Washington isn’t near the threat posed last week by the bigger Joshua Cribbs. Washington has the stats, so far, but he’s more similar to Verron Haynes than Cribbs. Washington is 5-8, 202 with 4.5 speed; not that any of the numbers really matter.
“Stats are for after the season to enjoy. We’re not into stats right now; we’re into winning games,” said Steelers defensive end Aaron Smith. “You know, there’s a fine line between 1-8 and 8-1. In this league, there’s really not much difference. We’ve already lost two games on the road, so we’ve got to be wary of these guys.”
Pro
Steelers wary of 1-8 Jets
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