The Steelers’ Key Weapons That Will Decide Rams Game

The Steelers have a tough matchup in the Matthew Stafford-led Rams offense. With Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua playing at a high level and Pittsburgh’s secondary struggling to contain opposing receivers, it would seem likely that the Rams should be able to run up some points early. But there is one way that the Steelers could rattle the Rams’ offense: pressure.

It’s not stunning, but Pittsburgh’s defensive line has the advantage over the Rams’ offensive line. T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Larry Ogunjobi, and others make up an impressive front that should give the Rams fits. If the secondary can hold up just enough, the team’s pressure fronts might be able to create havoc.

Stafford’s numbers drop off the face of the Earth once he is pressured. According to ESPN, he has just a 6.6 QBR (29th), a 31% completion percentage (31st), and averages 3.7 yards per attempt (28th) when under pressure. But it’s much easier said than done for Pittsburgh to make somehow that all happen. And Stafford is playing at a high level while minimizing turnovers. So, while all of those stats showcase that Stafford is struggling greatly under pressure and that the Steelers can get a bunch of pressure, Stafford’s going to give them trouble.

He has just five turnover-worthy plays on the entire season. So, it’s not just as easy in past weeks where the Steelers have created pressure, which could turn into interceptions. However, the team will have to rely far more on strip sacks this week with Stafford’s ability to take care of the football, and Stafford is set for some positive regression with his touchdown percentage. Three of those turnover-worthy plays this year have when he is under pressure. Stafford is a pretty cool cucumber, but the pressure the Steelers get on him is exactly the blueprint they must follow to take the offense down a notch.

The Steelers’ offense has proven they can not be relied upon. That’s just a fact. Pittsburgh’s defense will be a unit that will win or lose this one, more than likely. If they can make Stafford uncomfortable with some pressure and force him into even one or two mistakes, they can even the playing field. It won’t be easy, but Watt and Highsmith have proven they can take over games and stun quarterbacks. That needs to happen again on Sunday, or the Rams offense could have all day success against the Steelers talented defense.