Pittsburgh Steelers: 3 Vital statistics for 2019 season

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PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 28: Joe Haden #23 of the Pittsburgh Steelers intercepts a pass intended for Damion Ratley #18 of the Cleveland Browns during the second quarter in the game at Heinz Field on October 28, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

37

Perhaps the real problem for this club is the fact that despite some heavy sack totals, the team has struggled when it comes to forcing opponents into pivotal mistakes. This past season, the Pittsburgh Steelers came up with a disappointing 15 takeaways. Only the San Francisco 49ers (7) and Detroit Lions (14) forced fewer turnovers this past season. And the club’s disappointing total was seven fewer than the 2017 AFC North champions managed (22) the previous year.

To put that lack of production in perspective, the Steelers have amassed 37 takeaways in their last 32 regular-season contests. Tomlin’s team also didn’t force a turnover in that wild 45-42 home loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2017 AFC Divisional Playoffs.

In 2018, the Chicago Bears totaled an NFL-best 36 takeaways in 16 outings. The year before, it was the Baltimore Ravens who forced a league-best 34 turnovers. And in 2016, it was the Kansas City Chiefs who led the NFL with 34 takeaways.

Get the picture? Back in 2010, the Steelers’ last Super Bowl appearance, Tomlin’s squad came up an impressive 35 opponent’s miscues. Since then, there have been a combined 166 takeaways — tied for the second-fewest in the league since 2011. How does Keith Butler’s defensive unit get better in this regard? It’s a problem that has certainly held this team back.

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