Immediately I wished to offer a solution to nice dialogue on a current Horrible Podcast episode. The premise was that Pittsburgh’s protection has been in a position to present stable returns on their interceptions, and have to be one of many prime groups within the league in interception return yardage. Let’s discover out.
Here’s a visible on NFL defenses interceptions, and interception yardage via Week Seven:
As anticipated, the Pittsburgh Steelers are nice in each marks, every properly above the NFL common. First, their 9 interceptions up to now tie with Inexperienced Bay for the third-most within the league. That alone is spectacular in itself. The one defenses with extra interceptions are the Vikings (11) and Saints (10).
This amount in fact aids defenses interception yardage, the place the Pittsburgh Steelers additionally rank third, respectively. 167 interception yards to be precise, together with 4 interceptions with explosive return yardage, which 5 different groups matched or topped.
Pittsburgh’s longest interception return of 2024 was 49 yards, by CB Donte Jackson within the season opener versus Atlanta. One other double-explosive return of 41 yards got here final sport, considered one of rookie undrafted CB Beanie Bishop Jr.’s two picks on future Corridor of Famer Jets QB Aaron Rodgers. One got here through a touchback in Week Two in Denver, with CB Cory Trice Jr. nabbing is within the purple zone/finish zone popping out to the 30-yard line. The final explosive return was 24 yards, the second by Jackson, in opposition to the Raiders in Week Six.
That is all very encouraging, and hopefully one goes for Pittsburgh’s first house-call of 2024 quickly. Bishop was shut on his explosive return final week, however that’s my high-standard hope for the Steelers protection so as to add to their robust resume. 9 groups have an interception TD in 2024, with Minnesota having a number of with two. The opposite groups are: Denver, San Francisco, Atlanta, Inexperienced Bay, Washington, Chicago, Buffalo, and the Los Angeles Rams.
Some intriguing names right here. The Broncos have fewer interceptions (5) on the NFL imply in comparison with Pittsburgh (9), however have three explosive returns highlighted by a 100-yard pick-six by CB Patrick Surtain II. Context to the place they land on the chart, and near matching the Steelers’ yardage at 158.
Most notable are maybe the Commanders, Pittsburgh’s Week 10 opponent (post-bye). They’re the one staff within the NFL on the highest left of the chart, that means they’ve below-average interceptions (three), however above-average return yardage. That quantity is available in at 125 (seventh), considered one of ten NFL defenses with over 100 interception return yards.
Additionally fascinating is all three of their interceptions have come within the final two video games, in order that they’re on a roll after no picks the primary 5 weeks of 2024. And, all three interceptions had explosive return yardage. In the event you comply with draft season, a well-recognized title that many wished within the Black and Gold was rookie CB Mike Sainristil, who had a 38-yard interception return in Week Six.
The opposite two interceptions got here final week, which must be on Pittsburgh’s radar as their protection has heated up on this regard. A caveat is the standard of the opponent, with these turnovers coming in opposition to the Panthers. One was from 2023 first-round CB Emmanuel Forbes, which included a 20-yard return. Most notable was from EDGE Dante Fowler Jr., a triple-explosive 67-yard decide six. Speak about high quality over amount.
Pittsburgh’s subsequent opponent is the New York Giants, who land on the intense decrease left of the visible with only one interception, tied for twenty ninth and considered one of 4 groups with that low quantity. Only one yard on that lone interception, in opposition to the Vikings in Week One. So, the following matchup appears favorable for the Steelers, and Pittsburgh’s outcomes might be worse little doubt.
Sure, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ protection is without doubt one of the higher items within the NFL in interceptions and yardage. However there’s room to be much more dominant, as Pittsburgh leans on the protection because the gas of their success. Right here’s to hoping for an interception splash on Monday Night time Soccer, ideally their first pick-six of 2024, together with persevering with to handle the soccer on offense in opposition to the Giants protection that has struggled to take it away.
Thanks for studying and let me know your ideas within the feedback.
