Whereas the s secured an important division win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3, the protection surrendered 27 factors as Joe Burrow discovered rhythm early. But, when the sport hung within the steadiness late within the fourth quarter, it wasn't the same old marquee stars making the game-ending splash performs, it was the position gamers stepping up.
On his “r” podcast, former s quarterback Ben Roethlisberger praised this "non-A gamers" blueprint, emphasizing how depth defines championship-caliber defenses.
Roethlisberger candidly evaluated the protection's efficiency, noting that permitting 27 factors fell in need of expectations. He identified that followers saved ready for edge rushers T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith to wreck the sport, however Cincinnati's recreation plan contained them.
"You saved ready for it, and truthfully, it simply, it by no means got here from Alex or T.J., and I'm not saying that to carry them down," Roethlisberger defined. "The protection acquired performs from their non-A gamers, proper? So, you had performs from Yahya [Black], from [Derrick] Harmon, [Payton] Wilson, [Patrick] Queen was making performs.
“You bought performs from virtually the sudden, which I feel goes to go a great distance down this street that we're on since you anticipate T.J., Alex, [Jalen] Ramsay, Herby [Nick Herbig]. You anticipate these guys to make the performs. When abruptly you bought different guys making performs now too, I really feel higher about that."
The depth was particularly evident on Cincinnati's ultimate drive, the place Chef Evan famous that Watt, Highsmith, and Cameron Heyward weren't even on the sphere for the decisive stand, leaving rotational gamers like DeMarvin Leal and Nick Herbig to lock down the victory.
"With the intention to be one of the best group that we could be, we want the protection from Week 1 and a pair of, and this offense," Roethlisberger added. "Whenever you get performs from guys you weren't anticipating, it opens up our guys on the surface."
This text initially appeared on Steelers Wire: y
