The Steelers run defense has battened down the hatches the last few weeks, shutting down some dynamic runners on a consistent basis.
It was an area they talked about for weeks, always putting stopping the run first and foremost.
“I think there’s a buy-in,” said defensive tackle Cameron Heyward. “It hasn’t been what it’s supposed to be. But it’s about addressing that each week and understanding the opponent.
“Three or four weeks ago, we knew it was going to be a run challenge just trying to get to the point where we’re at.
“But the job’s not done yet.”
Heyward aid he doesn’t know if something changed or not internally, or just more of a mindset and guys simply doing their jobs.
“I think if you want to win games, you have to make teams one dimensional,” said Heyward. “Guys getting healthy at the right time, other guys stepping up in those moments.
“And it’s a collective believing in that.”
Among those who did step up later were the outside linebackers. With T.J. Watt missing time because of his lung, and Nick Herbig with his hamstring, it was Alex Highsmith, Jack Sawyer and Jeremiah Moon who held down the fort against the Lions.
“(They) flew downhill,” said Heyward. “You watch Jack and Alex, the way they played this past week. Just attacked everything. And if they’re going to block you one-on-one in the run game or pass, you’ve got to make plays.”
Watt’s status for this week against the Browns is still up in the air, but as Coach Mike Tomlin noted on Tuesday during his weekly press conference he is back in the building with the guys.
And whether he is on the field or not, his presence is noticed.
“He provides a lot of knowledge,” said Heyward. “It’s something not a lot of people talk about, but T.J. is a student of the game. When you share stuff with the outside linebackers, with the group, it just heightens our awareness.”
And if there is one thing that is heightened right now, it’s the team’s awareness of what they still need to accomplish. A year ago, they finished the season on a four-game losing streak. This year, they want to continue to change that narrative.
“Haven’t gotten too high or too low,” said Heyward. “Understanding this game, you want to get high at the right time. I feel like we’re doing that.
“It’s not overlooking opponents. It’s locking in, understanding it’s a team effort. It’s not one man doing a job. And we don’t care who gets the credit.
“I think the main thing about this group is it’s an unselfish group that really thrives on everybody’s having success.”