The Pittsburgh Steelers run defense suffered a setback in the Week 14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. With Lamar Jackson out of the lineup, it was quite obvious they were going to run the ball heavily, especially with running back JK Dobbins back in the lineup. That's just what they did, and the Steelers run defense still couldn't stop them. That was despite the Ravens being down to their third-string QB, Anthony Brown.
Pittsburgh Steelers defenders, Terrell Edmunds (#34) and Larry Ogunjobi (#99) help hold the Panthers to just 21 rushing yards in their Week 15 victory in Carolina. Credit: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (AP)
Nonetheless, it was a disappointing effort after the run defense seemed to be making some strides in the weeks prior. In Week 15 against the Carolina Panthers, a run-heavy unit, the Steelers were able to bounce back. They held the Panthers to just 21 yards on the ground for the day, which came on 16 carries. It was a much-needed performance from the front seven, but one particular player stood out according to head coach Mike Tomlin:
"I thought our defensive line did a really nice job. I thought guys like Larry Ogunjobi played really well against the run," Tomlin said in his weekly press conference on Tuesday. "Some of the other guys get recognized because their sack production and things of that nature. I just thought he was a real force inside and did a nice job in those areas."
Later on in the press conference, Tomlin again brought up Ogunjobi's performance, while also crediting safety, Terrell Edmunds. Edmunds continued what's been the best season of his NFL career, perhaps enough to warrant a contract extension in the off-season when he's a free agent. Ogunjobi, signed to a one-year deal last off-season like Edmunds, has been quite the stabilizing force in the middle of the Steelers' defensive line.
Credit: Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
He's a guy that the team should certainly consider bringing back, especially with veterans like Tyson Alualu and Chris Wormley likely on their way out. On Sunday, Ogunjobi had five total tackles, a season-high two tackles for loss, and a quarterback hit. As Tomlin said, the veteran lineman was a force against an improving Panthers offensive line. While the Panthers rank in the middle of the pack in terms of rushing yards per game as a team, that had been their main strength as of late.
Defensive coordinator, Teryl Austin will need a similar performance from his guys in the trenches in Week 16. They're set to face the Las Vegas Raiders, who feature the NFL's leading rusher this season in Josh Jacobs. His 1,495 yards on the ground are nearly 200 more than the guy closest to him, Derrick Henry. While Ogunjobi and the defensive front deserves praise for their Week 15 performance, they'll have their hands full this upcoming weekend.
What are your thoughts on Ogunjobi's performance as a Steeler this season? Should general manager, Omar Khan try to bring him back? What are your expectations against the Raiders' running game in Week 16? What will this team finish record-wise? Share your thoughts in the comment section, and be sure to interact with our social media sites as well!
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