Pittsburgh Steelers: 3 Vital statistics for 2019 season
108
How does a team lead the NFL in sacks one season, tie for the top spot the following year and still struggle to stop opposing passing attacks? In 2017, the Pittsburgh Steelers racked up a league best 56 quarterback traps. This past year, they and the Kansas City Chiefs tied for the NFL lead with 52 sacks.
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But take a look at the number of touchdown passes allowed by this club and it’s somewhat perplexing. Is the team that devoid of the right personnel in the secondary overall? In 2018, Mike Tomlin’s club surrendered 40 offensive touchdowns, 27 through the air.
The organization has put a lot into fixing its defense in terms of high draft choices in recent years. Dating back to 2013, the Steelers have used a first-round selection on this side of the football seven consecutive year, the latest being University of Michigan inside linebacker Devin Bush.
Of course, the majority of those selections (5) have come at linebacker, specifically the outside position. While Jarvis Jones (2013) proved to be a big disappointment and Bud Dupree (2015) has yet to really emerge as a consistent force, two-year pro T.J. Watt (2017) led the team with 13 QB traps.
As for the secondary, cornerback Artie Burns (2016) has had its ups and downs and safety Terrell Edmunds (2018) is a work in progress. Regardless, a combined 108 sacks hasn’t added up to much — especially when it comes to one vital number.