Locked On: Who’s At Fault for Steelers Defensive Collapse?

Alan Saunders |

Updated: Dec 6, 2024

Steelers Minkah Fitzpatrick — Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (12) makes a catch in front of Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

The Pittsburgh Steelers allowed 30 points and 451 yards of total offense to a Houston Texans team that was playing without a half-dozen of its best offensive linemen on Sunday.

How did that happen and who is to blame for the defensive morass? This is one thing you can’t blame Matt Canada for, as the Steelers defense, which supposed to be the strength of the team, was manhandled by a young and unheralded Texans offense.

Alan Saunders joined Chris Carter on the Locked On Steelers Podcast to break down what happened to the Steelers defense, why they couldn’t generate any splash, and what can be done about it. Chris and Alan also broke down their stars and skulls grades for the Week 4 loss to the Texans. Hint: there weren’t very many stars and there were a whole lot of skulls. The guys also talked about the latest on the injuries to Kenny Pickett and Pat Freiermuth, and when we might see them return to action after getting hurt on Sunday.