Steelers' Mike Tomlin Addresses Team's Lack Of Sacks In Recent Weeks With 2 Big Excuses

The Pittsburgh Steelers' defense might be the most expensive in the NFL, but it has struggled at times to make splash plays in critical moments through the first 12 games. Players like TJ Watt, normally among the league leaders for sacks, is currently 13th in the league with only 7.5 sacks. Many say that Watt's impact has been hampered by the fact that other teams are chipping him more or giving him double or even triple coverage. The supposition is that if Watt is being tied up, it frees other players to make plays. However, the Steelers have just over half the number of sacks, 25, of the Denver Broncos, who currently lead the league with 44.

Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin was asked during his normal Tuesday press conference why he thinks the team is struggling to get sacks overall. Cameron Heyward is the teammate closest to Watt, with five sacks. New Steelers linebacker Preston Smith is tied with Nick Herbig in third with 3.5 sacks a piece. Tomlin said they are forced to do their best with what they are given regarding coverage when explaining the overall lack of sacks. 

"Probably a lot of reasons to be honest with you," admitted Tomlin. "We've had people missing at times, and often times, the strength of the pack is the pack. For a large portion of the early portion of this season, we were without Alex [Highsmith] and [Nick] Herbig. And then, obviously, when you're minus guys like that, people can focus their energies on T.J. [Watt] and things of that nature. But also, just the nature in which people play us, particularly in one-dimensional passing moments, makes them aware of our reputation and the reputation of individuals within our group.  And so, for us, we were just trying to be successful in those moments; we don't have control of all of the variables in those moments. I think that's probably the spirit in which we operate and how a lot of these things have kind of unfolded."

Tomlin said that as a defense, they often see max protection, which minimizes their ability to "get home." He does believe that the double teams and blocking schemes they are presented with change the opportunities to make an impact. 

The defense has definitely faced a challenge with the loss of Alex Highsmith, who has been out since suffering an ankle injury during the Week 10 game against the Washington Commanders. Fortunately, the injury wasn't too serious, and the good news is that he could return for the game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 13. 

Another Big Steelers Question Mark Gets Some Answers

Watt's lack of splash is concerning, and fans wonder if offenses have figured out the formula for stopping him in his tracks. However, another defensive player has a lot of question marks surrounding him, and that's Minkah Fitzpatrick. 

Fitzpatrick was once right up there with Watt as a king of splash plays, but he has been very quiet since his last interception in the 2022 season. Recently, three Steelers insiders, Ray Fittipaldo, Brian Batko, and Chris Adamski, were all asked about what is going on with Fitzpatrick. 

Fittipaldo said he believes the Steelers plan to run the defense this way. He said many thought Cam Sutton's return would mean he would be the free safety and Fitzpatrick would be allowed to return to the "Minkah Ball" they keep discussing. However, that hasn't happened, and he doesn't care. Despite all of its warts, he pointed out that the Steelers' defense has helped the team get to 8-3 this season. 

Adamski noted that several other defenders have interceptions, nearly everyone but Fitzpatrick. Seven Steelers have recorded an interception in the first 12 games, with Donte Jackson leading the pack with four. In his mind, while Fitzpatrick might not get the interception himself, much like Watt, he frees up other players to make an impact. 

Why do you think the Steelers aren't getting as many interceptions as normal so far this season? Click to comment below. 

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