Lost amidst the disappointment in the performance of the Pittsburgh offense in Saturday night’s 9-3 pre-season playoff defeat to Buffalo was another stellar effort by its starting defense. The Steelers harassed quarterbacks Mitch Trubisky and Ben DiNucci into dismal performances. Trubisky and DiNucci  combined to throw for just 86 yards and an interception while taking three sacks. Buffalo didn’t cross midfield until about five minutes remained in the first half and entered Pittsburgh territory just twice on the night.

One of the keys to Pittsburgh’s success on defense has been their ability to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The Steelers have six sacks and several more hurries through their first two pre-season games. One of the reasons has been great one-on-one efforts by players like Nick Herbig and DeMarvin Leal. Both players have gotten to the quarterback by winning individual matchups against opposing offensive linemen. But defensive coordinator Teryl Austin has schemed up some excellent pressures, too, combining a variety of stunts and coverage disguises to confuse opposing quarterbacks.

One such scheme came on Buffalo’s opening possession on Saturday night. With the Bills facing 3rd and 2 at their own 36-yard line, Austin aligned in a “mug” look that put six defenders on the ball. Behind them, he locked four secondary players in man-coverage and left safety Minkah Fitzpatrick playing center field. It was a classic cover-1 blitz look, which to Trubisky meant he would have to find a hot route and get the ball out quickly. At the snap, however, the Steelers bailed into a Tampa-2 coverage scheme, and paired the coverage disguise with a twist stunt that saw defensive tackle Keeanu Benton work out across the face of Buffalo’s left guard while Herbig looped from the edge into the A-gap. Buffalo’s blockers parted like the Red Sea and Herbig came storming up the middle to drop Trubisky.

Herbig’s sack featured the best of what the Steelers do on defense: combining great coverage disguise with the athleticism of their players up front. Granted, they haven’t played any “A-list” quarterbacks just yet. Trubisky and DiNucci subbed for Josh Allen while Davis Mills filled in for C.J. Stroud for the Texans the previous week. Those “A-listers” may handle the pressure better, or be better at diagnosing coverage. Still, Pittsburgh getting to the quarterback despite the absence so far of star players T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward and Alex Highsmith. Their results stand to improve once the defense takes the field at full strength.

For my video breakdown of the Herbig sack, and how the Steelers disguised it, check out the Steel Curtain Network YouTube page or just click on the player below, or by clicking HERE: