Bo Nix isn’t Justin Fields. He’s not going to run all around the Pittsburgh Steelers. However as a rookie with out a lot tape, there’s a priority his legs may very well be a thorn on this protection’s sides.
Pittsburgh dominated Kirk Cousins. There was no yet one more trying ahead for that recreation to wrap up than him. He took hit after hit, stress after stress, and his face braced for influence anytime T.J. Watt even breathed close to him. The Steelers’ cross rush is at its finest after they can assault a real pocket passer, a dying breed in at this time’s NFL. As long as it isn’t an elite title, Peyton Manning or Tom Brady, who merely can learn a protection and get the ball out earlier than the push has an opportunity, the Steelers flourish.
Towards a cellular quarterback, they have an inclination to have extra hassle. Not at all times, however there tends to be extra frustration, as is true for many groups, I think about. The quarterback’s run aspect is one other consideration, one other factor to cope with, an ace up the sleeve when the protection does its job and takes all the things away.
The engine of the Steelers’ protection is its cross rush. It begins with stopping the run, however that’s merely the transmission, the half that places Pittsburgh in gear. The EDGE rushers slam the fuel pedal. A statue within the pocket is a inexperienced gentle. These guys can freely rush aggressively and get after the quarterback. Somebody who can escape? Yellow gentle. You don’t cease, however you’re slowing down, fearful about giving him a lane. Don’t rush too far upfield, don’t take that likelihood and rush inside, rush to include as an alternative of speeding to sack.
That thought may sluggish Pittsburgh’s rush down—a minimum of a bit of. And Bo Nix can transfer and lengthen. It was hardly a feat, however he led the Broncos in speeding with 35 yards and their solely rating, a hard-earned diving play over Seattle’s objective line. Nix beat the defensive lineman to the sting, faked out one other defender, and spun his means into the top zone.
Performs like that may be laborious to cease while you haven’t performed a man like that shortly, particularly after dealing with a quarterback like Cousins, who would tear his Achilles once more if he even considered making an attempt one thing like that. Nix may bail the Broncos out of a 3rd down along with his legs, and his mobility can’t be underrated. Particularly along with his rookie invincibility mindset, pushing the envelope and sacrificing his physique whereas it nonetheless feels good in his 20s and early in his first yr.
Pittsburgh’s protection ought to nonetheless have success. There are many causes to consider they’ll win the day. If the Steelers can stifle Denver’s working recreation, which they need to, Nix will likely be in third-and-long and strained simply as Seattle’s protection did. However don’t be shocked in the event you’re throwing the distant down as Nix scrambles for 12 yards on a key third and eight. It is likely to be that form of day.