https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/article/mike-tomlin-defends-steelers-dc-teryl-austin-says-defensive-play-calling-change-not-on-the-table-right-now-220211062.html
Before the season, it felt like the Pittsburgh Steelers’ quest to end their nine-year drought without a playoff win hinged on them finding above-average quarterback play.
With Aaron Rodgers posting a 104.4 passer rating, the Steelers are in good shape through seven games — in that department, at least.
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But with one hole seemingly patched, a much more surprising one has formed.
Pittsburgh’s defense has allowed at least 30 points four times this season, including twice in a row. The Steelers have lost all but one of those games, with a vintage Rodgers comeback against the New York Jets in the season opener standing in the way of a clean sweep.
A unit that ranked top 10 in points per game allowed in each of Teryl Austin’s first three go-rounds as Steelers defensive coordinator is now 22nd in the NFL in scoring defense.
Mike Tomlin went to bat for Austin when the longtime Steelers head coach was asked about his DC Tuesday, noting that taking over play-calling duties from Austin is “not on the table” right now.
“I’ve known Teryl a long time,” Tomlin said. “He’s very capable. He’s very thorough. I’ve largely been pleased with his work, but certainly he and I are not pleased with where we are right now from a defensive unit perspective, and so we’re just going to keep working.”
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Tomlin found himself fielding questions about a defense built with highly paid players, many who have buoyed the team in recent years, two days after the group allowed Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love to complete 20 straight passes and throw for 360 yards and a trio of touchdowns.
The Steelers gave up 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter of a 35-25 defeat Sunday night.
Pittsburgh ranks last in the league against the pass this season. It’s conceding 273.3 yards per game through the air. Not only did Love slice and dice the Steelers, but so did Joe Flacco more than a week prior on “Thursday Night Football,” just nine days after the Cincinnati Bengals acquired the 40-year-old quarterback in a rare cross-division trade.
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The Steelers haven’t been particularly stout against the run, either. They’re 18th in the league in that category, and four of their opponents have crossed the century mark.
Up next, Pittsburgh’s hosting an Indianapolis Colts team that’s in the pole position for the AFC’s top seed. Quarterback Daniel Jones is resurrecting his career in Indy, but also Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is building an MVP campaign behind 14 total touchdowns and 1,056 scrimmage yards eight games into the season.
“We make no excuses about how or why we fall short,” Tomlin said, via ESPN. “Our job is to perform at a high level, and we haven’t done that. … Seven games or whatever doesn’t make a season.
“We certainly got more in front of us and more opportunities to write our story, whether it’s individuals, whether it’s a component of our team or whether it’s our team in general. I think that’s our general mindset.”
https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/article/mike-tomlin-defends-steelers-dc-teryl-austin-says-defensive-play-calling-change-not-on-the-table-right-now-220211062.html
