Behind Enemy Lines: the Anatomy of a TFL

Malik Reed strip sack

C Kendrick Green and RB Kalen Ballage pick up the late blitzer. RT Chuks Okorafor does a great job to flush OLB Von Miller (#58) downfield, and LT Dan Moore did the same with OLB Malik Reed (#59). Check out their positions when the tape freezes. Moore needs to stay anchored to Ben there; if he stays home he could lay a lick on Von Miller which would have freed Okorafor to switch off and handle Reed. Instead he tries to chase his guy over the top of the congestion, and NFL LT’s aren’t going to win too many foot races.

TJ Watt beats TE for TFL

For some reason teams are still trying to block TJ Watt with TE’s; that’s not a varsity game plan. He makes TE Noah Fant look absolutely foolish here. TJ fakes outside to peel the TE away from the meat of the line, then threw an ELITE inside swim move on him to knife into the backfield and make the stop on RB Javonte Williams. I’m not sure Fant even touched TJ.

Bad rep for the rookie center here

DE’s Dre’Mont Jones (#93) & Shelby Harris (#96) with a stunt here: instead of pushing the pocket straight back into the QB’s lap they cross over each other to create confusion for the protection. Green is just discarded with a strong left arm from Harris who is there to devour Ballage for a loss. Green knows he messed up, too.

Mondeaux sack

The RT gets an early jump on this play – unlike Joe Haden on that blocked FG – but it’s not called. You need every advantage you can get when TJ Watt is lining up across from you. But this play is about DT Henry Mondeaux; look at that spin-o-rama he puts on the RG to get into the backfield and drop QB Teddy Bridgewater for a sack. Before you judge his celebration dance too harshly remember he’s a practice squad replacement; he doesn’t get to play under the lights too often.

Devin Bush QBH

This one is a positive play, but it didn’t have to be. Bridgewater gets it out at the last second but takes a shot from MLB Devin Bush. RB Melvin Gordon has a tough rep in pass pro here. The first time the tape freezes TJ Watt got free and Gordon raced over to support that side, even though they had an extra lineman over there to account for him. He sees Bush coming in late and tries to recalibrate but he can’t get back in position and his QB takes a shot.

Najee’s only TFL today

This play was doomed from the start. Denver’s front got a heavy push and the Steelers were setting up to run block two-three yards behind their LOS. FB Derek Watt was flanking Ben opposite Harris who may have been able to break it out right if Watt goes out and seals the edge on CB Bryce Callahan (#29). But the play call was an inside run and Harris waited for a hole to open that never came, and he took a loss.

Minkah in run support

This pitch/reverse to Williams fooled a couple Steelers but Minkah wasn’t one of them. He read it the whole way and came down from his high safety position to make a hard-nosed backfield tackle. His face mask took a good divot out of the turf, too.

Buggs holding negates Loudermilk sack

This would have gone down as a sack by DE Isaiahh Loudermilk, but it was negated due to a holding penalty against the center working on DT Isaiah Buggs. You can see the penalty when the tape slows, but also pay attention to where Loudermilk was when Bridgewater made the decision to step up and try to run with this one. He was hidden behind bodies, but when Bridgewater takes off Loudermilk picks a good angle, closes the gap and brings the QB down.

Recap: Steelers vs. Broncos 10/10/21

The Steelers got off to another quick start. They were 2/2 on third down conversions, RB Najee Harris had two rushes for nine yards, RB Benny Snell had an unfortunate drop but WR Diontae Johnson caught the one that mattered for a 51-yard TD on a pass Ben could have thrown 10 yards farther if he needed to. 7-0 PIT

The Heinz Faithful pulled a Beaver Stadium Special and forced a false start before Denver ran a single play from scrimmage. Pittsburgh stuffed two runs then FS Minkah Fitzpatrick tackled a catch in front of the sticks to force a three-and-out.

Najee was featured heavily on the Steelers’ next drive with five carries for 26 yards. QB Ben Roethlisberger also hit TE’s Pat Freiermuth and Eric Ebron on out routes to convert a couple of third downs. On the tenth play of the drive, OLB Malik Reed came around the back door to record a strip sack. The Broncos recovered and set up inside the Pittsburgh 30 yard line as Roethlisberger grimaced and tried to shake the pain out of that right arm.

Three straight plays to Broncos rookie RB Javonte Williams here. OLB TJ Watt had a chance to blow up the first play in the backfield but Williams wiggled free for two yards. On second down TJ busted out an inside swim move to drop Williams for a four-yard loss. He caught an underneath pass on third down but Spillane and Edmunds tackled the catch to force a FG attempt. 7-3 PIT

Pittsburgh ran a screen to TE Zach Gentry that went for 13 yards thanks to a key block in space by LT Dan Moore. Najee had three runs for 30 yards, including a 21-yarder he extended with the stiff arm. RB Kalen Ballage came in for a change of pace and lost yards, then Ben threw poorly-placed balls to Ballage and WR Juju Smith-Schuster to set up a FG attempt. K Chris Boswell knocked it through from 48. 10-3 PIT

The Steelers D posted a three-and-out with help from a DT Cam Heyward pass deflection. WR Courtland Sutton pitched in to the cause, donating a drop on third down.

Najee gained yardage on the ground on first and second down, but on third and short Ben threw deep for WR Chase Claypool. It appeared Claypool was held down while trying to elevate for the ball but it fell incomplete and no flag hit the turf. Steelers punted it back (P Presley Harvin struck a 56-yarder).

MLB Joe Schobert did a good job to hold the edge and a first down run was stopped at the line. Two plays later, Williams took a toss through a crack on third and one for 49 yards. He took it almost down to the goal line, but was flagged for spiking the ball at the end of the play. Backed up on the short grass, Heyward got the D on schedule with a strong play in run support. MLB Devin Bush came through for a sack pushing Denver back 11 yards, and Minkah tackled the catch short on third down to force another FG. 10-6 PIT

Juju took another jet sweep handoff and picked up three, but left the game with what appeared to be a dislocated shoulder after a hard hit from Karim Jackson. The next play Claypool caught a short crosser over the middle and just kept running around guys for 59 yards (see below). LB Anthony Johnson dropped what would have been an INT and DJ drew a PI penalty going into the end zone to set the Steelers up at the 1. It took Najee two attempts but he was able to get up and over the top for a TD. 17-6 PIT

With time ticking down in the first half, Sutton caught two straight out routes for first downs. It looked like Denver had some momentum until OLB Alex Highsmith drew two flags that stalled the drive. On first down the LT took a false start trying to get off the line too quickly, and on third down he was tackled by the neck to earn a holding flag. The penalty was declined, and Denver punted it back.

The Steelers got the ball back with about 90 seconds and two timeouts, although they were pinned at their own 10 yard line. They were able to move the ball a bit – most notably Harris got around the edge for 13 – but decided to live to fight another day and took it to the break. HALFTIME SCORE: 17-6 PIT

Denver came out moving and was able to pick up three first downs before the Steelers D planted their heels. Minkah stepped up in run support to hold Gordon to a one-yard gain, then Heyward took over. He and Maulet combined to hold Gordon to two yards on second down, then Cam got vertical and batted down another pass to stall another Broncos’ drive.

Pittsburgh came out feeding Najee again, and his second run – which including a key block from replacement WR Cody White and went for 18 – took him over 100 yards for the first game of his young career. LG Kevin Dotson took a holding penalty, but Najee went out there and got it back with an out-and-in for 17. On third and 3 Ben hit Claypool on a corner route for a first down, but he banged his throwing hand on a helmet on the follow through. Ben’s next throw to White looked weak, but the throw after connected with Freiermuth on an out for a first down. The Steelers’ drive stalled there and Boswell’s 51-yarder was good, but Denver was flagged for trying to climb the pile on the attempt and Pittsburgh was handed a fresh set of downs. Two incompletions to Najee later and Ben split three defenders in the end zone on this TD to Claypool.

The Broncos answered with a 14-play drive of their own. DT Henry Mondeaux had a nice spin move for a sack and Minkah had a TFL in the run game, but Denver converted three fourth downs, including a fourth and goal for a TD. 24-13 PIT

After a long drive like that – and into the fourth quarter with comeback time waning – the Steelers could have used a long, grind-it-out drive. Harris was hurt on the last drive and did not return to this game, and without their workhorse the Steelers couldn’t achieve a first down. Harvin’s punt was a beauty, traveling 63 yards and 50 net.

The next drive was rough for CB James Pierre. He was in good coverage but Bridgewater made a better throw to Patrick running a corner route for 15. Three plays later Sutton beat Pierre down the left sideline for a TD. The one thing the defense couldn’t do was give up a quick score, and that’s exactly what they did. The two-point conversion try flew through the back of the end zone incomplete. 24-19 PIT

Fortunately Ben was able to play some possession ball when they took over with less than 6:00 to play. There was a hot throw over the middle to DJ where he got loose for 22, then Claypool had a short catch, made a guy miss and took it up the sideline for 16, most importantly staying in bounds at the end to keep the clock running. Snell needed three rushes to pick up nine yards, and the Steelers settled for a FG to go up 8. 27-19 PIT

TJ got pressure on the first play and forced an incompletion. Patrick got loose for 23 yards and TE Noah Fant caught a pass over the middle to take us to the two-minute warning. Bush left the game with a groin injury and the Steelers were missing him out there late. After a first down and another pickup to Fant over the middle, Bridgewater took a shot deep for Sutton. In close coverage, Pierre extended fully and was nearly able to clamp the ball for an INT but more importantly he disrupted the pass. The next play Bridgewater found Hinton (the guy who caught their first TD) inside the 10 and he finished with a great sideline catch. Down 8 points, the Broncos had 4 shots from inside the Steelers 10:

First down: Joe Haden great coverage on the 6’4” Patrick, elevates to break up a pass in the end zone.

Second down: Bridgewater throws to Gordon, complete down inside the five. Schobert and SS Terrell Edmunds keep him out of the end zone.

Third down: throwing into the back of the end zone for former Steeler Diontae Spencer, Terrell Edmunds in great coverage with another PBU.

Fourth down: TJ Watt comes off the left edge and around the LT to force a decision. Bridgewater looking for Sutton in the back of the end zone. James Pierre in coverage reading Bridgewater’s eyes, breaks on the pass and comes down with the INT that seals the deal. FINAL SCORE 27-19 PIT

Preview: Steelers vs. Broncos

The Steelers will seek to break their three-game skid this Sunday at 1 p.m. when the Denver Broncos come to Heinz Field.

Bronco’s QB Teddy Bridgewater is #6 in the NFL in Intended Air Yards and #12 in Completed Air Yards, per Next Gen Stats. He’s completed over 72% of his throws, has a 5/0 TD/INT ratio and a QB rating of 110.6 (more than 30 points better than Ben’s rating).

On the other end of most of those passes were WR Courtland Sutton and TE Noah Fant who both have 18 grabs. Sutton is #3 in the NFL in AVG Depth of Target (NGS); he’s a guy you don’t want to let get behind you. WR Tim Patrick is their other red zone threat. All three of those guys are 6’4”, making them a nightmare to cover in the short part of the field.

You’ve probably heard Ben Roethlisberger has had the shortest time to throw of any QB in the NFL. Bridgewater has had the fifth longest time to throw in the league (NGS). I wonder how many draft picks it would cost to swap offensive lines with Denver.

They’re no one-trick pony, either; they can run it as well. Like Cleveland, the Broncos have a two-headed monster at RB with Melvin Gordon and rookie Javonte Williams. Both guys have more rushing yards and less attempts than Najee Harris this year.

On defense, LB Von Miller is still over there doing Von Miller things (4.5 sacks through four games). He’s trying to play his way into a twilight contract, and you have to figure he’s champing at the bit to get after a mobility-limited Roethlisberger.

FS Justin Simmons will be patrolling the deep middle of the field. He’s one of the better backstops

Injury Report

Good news first. DE Cam Heyward, OT Chuks Okorafor, OG’s Kevin Dotson & Trai Turner, WR’s Juju Smith-Schuster & Chase Claypool, and QB Ben Roethlisberger are all good to go.

CB Cam Sutton caught that groin bug that’s been going around and was ruled out for this game. WR James Washington must have been a close contact of Sutton because he had a groin issue arises during practice on Thursday and will also be in sweats on Sunday.

Nine Broncos have been limited in practice this week, including Bridgewater who suffered a concussion last week in a loss to the Ravens.

TE Albert Okwuegbunam has been ruled out against the Steelers, but everyone else is up in the air. Sutton (Courtland, that is) rolled his ankle in practice on Friday, per Zac Stevens of theDNVR.com and is questionable. CB Pat Surtain and WR Diontae Spencer (former Steeler) look to be game-time decisions. Melvin Gordon is also listed as questionable but ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports Gordon is expected to play on Sunday.

Both the Broncos’ starting OG’s missed time in practice this week, as did Simmons, but none of them received a status designation so they will play.

LB Bradley Chubb is recovering from ankle surgery, WR Jerry Judy is nursing a high-ankle sprain, and WR KJ Hamler tore his ACL. All three are on IR and won’t factor into this game.

Keys

1) CB Length The Steelers have 3 CB’s who are 6’2” on their roster – Justin Layne, James Pierre and Ahkello Witherspoon – and they’re going to need every inch of that length to match up with the Broncos’ statuesque pass-catchers. Witherspoon was acquired from Seattle for a fifth-round pick before the season started but has only been active for the Raiders game. He has a good chance to play on Sunday especially if Cam Sutton is unavailable. In addition to his length he can run and could be tasked with keeping a lid on the deep threat.

2) “Roethlisberger to Freiermuth” It’s a box scorer’s worst nightmare but it’s about time for rookie TE Pat Freiermuth’s coming out party. He caught those two TD’s in the preseason against the Lions, but has been criminally under-utilized since. The middle of this defense can be attacked, and doing so will soften them up the outside for those Najee swings and shots to receivers deep up the sideline.

3) Right Tackle Chuks is practicing again after clearing concussion protocol but another shuffle along the line right now is the last thing Ben needs. OL Joe Haeg stepped in for Okorafor in the Bengals game and we saw marked improvement in the unit last week against the Packers, but Ben was still seeing ghosts out there. We need some continuity in the line before he gets comfortable enough to stand, read the defense, and deliver.