Steelers Defense Promises to Sack Raiders QB Jimmy Garoppolo

PITTSBURGH — The Steelers have become aware of a critical stat that the Raiders offense is proud of this season. So far, Jimmy Garappolo has yet to get sacked by an opposing defense. The Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos could not crack the code. A lot of it comes down to the quickness in which they got rid of the football, on top of some solid pass protection from their tackles, Kolton Miller and Jermaine Eluemunor on the field. However, that challenge will likely help swing the game in one team’s favor. The Steelers need to get to Garappolo.

The Steelers are looking to be the first, with all-everything outside linebacker T.J. Watt leading the charge. But he sees a tough test in that regard. Even for Watt and Highsmith, the maximum protection the Raiders run, along with chips, makes it hard to throw off the rhythm the offense has on a down-to-down basis.

“It’s them being able to run the ball and being in manageable downs and not having to drop back and pass as much,” Watt said. “They use max protection. He’s getting the ball out quickly.”

So far this year, the Steelers secondary has struggled. With a strong stable, including Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, and Hunter Renfrow, the group will get tested once again. But it’s up to the pass rush, both on the edge and the interior, to make Garappolo uncomfortable and force him into errant throws if they can not get to him. Inside linebacker Kwon Alexander is confident the Steelers can crack the steak.

“I know about that. But we got two dogs on the ends, so we’re gonna see about that,” Alexander said.

Highsmith and Watt each rank among the league’s top at get-off speed. With two incredibly athletic edge rushers with a deep bag of tricks, the Steelers have a simple method to beating the Raiders offense. But on top of that, they can not let Josh Jacobs get going to hurt the group even further at that point. Will the sack streak for the Raiders end? The chances are likely, yes, but it needs to matter more than just a dot on the stat sheet.