Once upon a time, Steelers Nation could cross their fingers and hope for a defensive stand, and their dreams would instantly come true. A franchise which prides itself on defensive prowess appears to be coming back into its own after several down years.

That’s not to say this younger iteration of Pittsburgh defenders is all of the way there just yet, but they are certainly starting to turn the corner when called upon.

During Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers, the Steelers found themselves in a hole, trailing the Packers twice in the game, first 14-6 and then once more, 21-14. The defense relinquished some big plays, but when it came down to the nitty-gritty, they held firm and “put the clamps down” on the Packers offense.

With 5:46 left in the third quarter, the Packers positioned themselves down to the Steelers 31-yard line. The next three downs are when Pittsburgh said “enough” and started to take over.

Playing one of his only three snaps in the game, DT L.T. Walton enters the game and makes an immediate impact.

As illustrated here and by NBC analyst Chris Collinsworth, the athletic big man sweeps outside to conceal Green Bay QB Brett Hundley. With nowhere to go, Hundley is easily sacked for a loss of five yards by Walton.

Second down saw something we’re not particularly used to in Pittsburgh, at least not with Steelers outside linebackers. Often the outside backers are asked to drop into coverage, but seldom do we see them line up to cover wide receivers!

On this continuation from above, the second down play sees the Packers empty their backfield for a five-wide look. This places T.J. Watt over the slot on Green Bay WR Jordy Nelson. Hundley correctly recognizes the linebacker-on-receiver mismatch but doesn’t realize he’s no match for the athletic rookie.

I was absolutely mindblown by this play, but it’s not the first time that Watt (who also played tight end in college) has made similarly athletic plays. Watt has six pass break-ups on the season, which is tied for third on the team behind Ryan Shazier, Artie Burns, and Sean Davis. (Joe Haden has five and William Gay has three, with many others contributing one or two.)

Finally, it’s 3rd-and-15 at the Steelers 36. Hundley steps back in the shotgun with three receivers to his left and one to his right. He also has a protector flanking his right, as he takes the snap and watches the Steelers collapse the pocket once again.

Cam Heyward gets the official credit for a sack on this play, forcing the Packers to lose three yards, but he wasn’t alone in the effort. Amazingly, the Steelers only bring three on this play initially: Heyward, Bud Dupree, and T.J. Watt. Sean Davis follows with a delayed blitz, likely a byproduct of Jamaal Williams hanging around to protect Hundley (which he does well, picking up Davis).

Some naysayers haven’t liked Dupree’s play this season, but there are instances such as this where Heyward wins the same type of battle and ends up with the sack. Hundley moves right into Heyward’s path but could’ve moved into Dupree’s as well.

Regardless, we can see how three Steelers alone can wreak havoc on five offensive linemen! Furthermore more, Heyward shows how he has become one of the fiercest pass rushers in pro football as he manhandles David Bakhtiari, considered one of the top left tackles in the game.

Conclusion

The Packers elected to attempt a 57-yard field goal following this series of downs: an ill-fated attempt I may add, which went wide and gave Pittsburgh the ball on their own 47. The Steelers offense would march 53 yards in six plays to tie the game at 21 all.