Pittsburgh Steelers
Cameron Heyward Gives Steelers Defense ‘Incomplete’ Grade
The Steelers have one of the NFL’s best defenses this season, but defensive tackle Cameron Heyward isn’t ready to crown the unit.
PITTSBURGH —ย The Steelers have one of the best defenses in the league through the first 11 weeks of the season, allowing the second-fewest points (16.2) and eighth-fewest total yards per game (305.3), but defensive tackle Cameron Heyward isn’t ready to crown the defense with anything yet.
On Tuesday, Heyward was asked what he’d grade the unit entering the week.
His response: “Incomplete.”
That doesn’t mean the Steelers defense isn’t special. In fact, it’s a big reason why the Steelers are now 2-0 in games when failing to score a touchdown.
Heyward simply chalks the defense’s early success to its depth at every level.
“I think the depth we have is uncanny because it’s Payton Wilson, it’s Elandon Roberts, it’s Patrick Queen. Then you move on to our DBs. You have Cam Sutton, you got Beanie Bishop, you got Damontae Kazee,” Heyward said. “It’s just a multitude of guys who know what they’re doing. Vets have helped out the younger guys to bring them up, but it allows us to be interchangeable. It allows us to have each other’s backs and not blink in those big moments.”
The Steelers witnessed just that in their 18-16 win over the Ravens in Week 11. Linebackers Patrick Queen and Nick Herbig each forced fumbles, rookie linebacker Payton Wilson made anย impressive interception and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. made the game-winning tackle on quarterback Lamar Jackson on the Ravens two-point conversion attempt late in the fourth quarter.
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Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. during a game against the New York Jets on Oct. 20, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
The team will hope to see a similar impact by the defense on a short week with a meeting with the Cleveland Browns on “Thursday Night Football.”
The Browns are entering the matchup tied with the second-worst record in the league (2-8), but Heyward still expects the game to be close.
“We’re going into a hostile environment. We respect the Dawg Pound. We understand what those fans and that team is capable of,” Heyward said. “It’s like those big rivalries in college football. It doesn’t matter what their record is. You’re gonna get their best shot and you have to respect that.”
Heyward is right to feel that way. The Browns have won four of the last six meetings, so the Steelers are looking to even the score on Thursday night.
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If Iโm grading on a curve in relation to other NFL defenses, The Pittsburgh Steelersโ Defense receives an A+ at this point in the seasonโฆ
BUTโฆ
I hear Cam; heโs loud and clearโฆ
Internally, itโs Incompleteโฆ There is so much more to accomplish and still so much on the table to eat.. SO LETโS EATโฆ
HERE WE GO, STEELERS, HERE WE GOโฆ
I admire Cam’s caution and clear-headedness in his proclamation that the defence is incomplete with my personal interpretation of his statement being that for him to rate the defence as complete and absolute being when the entire team enjoy the privilege of lifting up high above their heads Pittsburgh’s record extending seventh Lombardi trophy. Here we go!
With love from Melbourne, Australia.
Go Steelers!!!