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Some interesting numbers here. For the full article click on the link above.
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Defense carrying Steelers to No. 1 seed: The Steelers can play defense. That much we know. But consider this for perspective. The hottest team in the NFC, the Carolina Panthers, has statistically the 10th-best defense in the NFL.
The Steelers have allowed more than 1,000 fewer yards than the Panthers this season.
And more than 50 fewer points than the Giants.
"We want to defend each blade of grass," Steelers cornerback William Gay explained this week. Sounds like a pretty good game plan.
Using pretty much the same cast of characters as last season, Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau has concocted perhaps his best unit ever. Pittsburgh has allowed 24 or more points just once this season. Last season, it coughed up 24 or more seven times.
Now, after an eight-week stretch that included the Giants, Washington, Indianapolis, San Diego, New England, Dallas and Baltimore, the Steelers are right where very few expected them to be -- with a legitimate shot at the AFC's No. 1 seed.
How good is the Pittsburgh defense? Not only has it allowed 1,000 fewer yards than the Panthers (and about 2,000 fewer than Seattle, Detroit or Kansas City), but the Steelers are 11-3 and not a single offensive player made the Pro Bowl.
-- Bob Holtzman
Some interesting numbers here. For the full article click on the link above.
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Defense carrying Steelers to No. 1 seed: The Steelers can play defense. That much we know. But consider this for perspective. The hottest team in the NFC, the Carolina Panthers, has statistically the 10th-best defense in the NFL.
The Steelers have allowed more than 1,000 fewer yards than the Panthers this season.
And more than 50 fewer points than the Giants.
"We want to defend each blade of grass," Steelers cornerback William Gay explained this week. Sounds like a pretty good game plan.
Using pretty much the same cast of characters as last season, Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau has concocted perhaps his best unit ever. Pittsburgh has allowed 24 or more points just once this season. Last season, it coughed up 24 or more seven times.
Now, after an eight-week stretch that included the Giants, Washington, Indianapolis, San Diego, New England, Dallas and Baltimore, the Steelers are right where very few expected them to be -- with a legitimate shot at the AFC's No. 1 seed.
How good is the Pittsburgh defense? Not only has it allowed 1,000 fewer yards than the Panthers (and about 2,000 fewer than Seattle, Detroit or Kansas City), but the Steelers are 11-3 and not a single offensive player made the Pro Bowl.
-- Bob Holtzman
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