Defensive wrinkle heads list of 5 things learned in Steelers' win against Giants

Five things we learned from Steelers 26, Giants 16:

1. Defense returns strong, adds wrinkles

At first blush, it looked like the a continuation of the Steelers defense from 2019 what with the three sacks and two interceptions the group generated at the Meadowlands.

Defensive captain Cam Heyward, though, noticed a difference.

“We had sacks by guys who don’t usually get sacks and interceptions by guys who don’t usually get interceptions,” he said. “We’re a defense that lets its play do the talking, and we don’t care how it gets done.”

The interceptions came from outside linebacker T.J. Watt and Heyward, the first of the defensive tackle’s 10-year career. Heyward’s pick in the end zone with 3 minutes, 17 seconds left in the third quarter ended a 19-play drive in which the Giants went 87 yards in 19 plays and were threatening to take the lead.

None of the sacks came from the top pass rushers from 2019: Watt, Heyward and Bud Dupree. Inside linebacker Vince Williams, defensive end Stephon Tuitt and slot corner Mike Hilton each brought down Giants quarterback Daniel Jones.

The defense also improved in another key area. After allowing opponents to average 146 yards rushing in the season-ending three-game losing streak, the Steelers allowed 29 yards rushing on 20 attempts, with Saquon Barkley getting six yards on 15 tries.

2. Inside man leads linebackers

When the Steelers released Mark Barron after one season and elected not to pursue a replacement in free agency, it showed their comfort in giving the starting job at inside linebacker back to Vince Williams.

Williams rewarded the Steelers’ faith by making his presence felt in the Giants backfield.

Not only did he sack Jones for a 7-yard loss in the second quarter, Williams helped contain Barkley throughout the game. He had two other tackles for loss.

While Devin Bush played all 68 defensive snaps, Williams was on the field for 40 plays. He was replaced in subpackages by Cam Sutton for 20 plays, and backup linebacker Rob Spillane logged eight snaps.

Spillane was one of two backups on the active roster. With Ulysees Gilbert III declared inactive, Spillane and converted safety Marcus Allen were the only reserve inside linebackers to suit up against the Giants.

3. Ups, downs for special teams

Danny Smith wore a face shield to protect himself against coronavirus. It also likely screened the curse words the special teams coach must have uttered throughout the game.

A gaffe after the opening series led to a Giants field goal. Diontae Johnson, who was named a second-team All-Pro as a rookie at punt returner, muffed his first attempt, and the Giants recovered at the Steelers 3.

If not for a stand by the defense, the Steelers might have trailed by seven points before touching the ball on offense.

Chris Boswell, while making both of his field goal attempts, also dinged an extra-point try off the right upright, and one of his kickoffs went out of bounds.

4. Penalties kept to minimum

Coach Mike Tomlin lamented some “sloppiness” to the Steelers play, and that was to be expected considering they didn’t have the benefit of preseason games.

While mistakes did occur, the Steelers at least limited the number of penalties they committed. They were flagged just three times, with only one of those penalties leading directly to points. A pass interference call against Joe Haden on a third-and-12 in the second quarter extended the drive for the Giants, who scored on the next play — a 41-yard touchdown pass from Jones to Darius Slayton.

The other penalties were a delay of game in the second quarter and an illegal contact call against corner Steve Nelson in the fourth. The Giants scored on that drive while the Steelers were trying to run down the clock after building a 26-10 advantage.

5. Easing into his role

Perhaps because he was withheld from team drills throughout much of training camp, Derek Watt was limited to eight snaps at fullback in his Steelers debut.

For comparison, predecessor Roosevelt Nix logged 19 and 15 snaps in the two full games he played in an injury-marred 2019 season. When Watt was in the game, though, he helped pave the way for Benny Snell to rush for a career-high 113 yards on 19 carries.

The Steelers admittedly signed Watt for his special teams work as much as for the blocking he does in the backfield. A Pro Bowl alternate last year with the Los Angeles Chargers, Watt played a team-high 19 snaps on special teams and had a tackle against the Giants.