Steelers front-7 receives high-praise from Pro Football Focus

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The Steelers defense is tied for fifth in the NFL in points allowed, giving up just 18.7 per game to opponents through twelve games—the biggest reason has been their absolutely dominant defensive front.

This week that was reflected in Pro Football Focus rankings, which had three Steelers in the top five at their respective positions.

One of the stars listed shouldn’t come as much of a surprise unless you’re focusing solely on the history of PFF discourse. Former defensive player of the year TJ Watt is in the pole position to take home that honor again. According to The Action Network, Watt is currently the overwhelming favorite (-235) to win.

The other two weren’t exactly on my bingo card.

Cam Heyward, at 35 years old, seems to somehow keep getting better. He was all over the field in the Steelers’ recent win over the Cincinnati Bengals, sacking Joe Burrow and tipping a pass at the line of scrimmage that ended up in the hands of CB Donte Jackson. He has a total of 6 sacks on the season and has justified the two-year extension the black and gold handed out to him this offseason. He’s on track to be named to his seventh Pro Bowl.

And then there’s second-year EDGE Nick Herbig, who has literally and metaphorically shot out of a cannon. He has 3 forced fumbles, 2 sacks, and 12 pressures over the past three weeks. None bigger than this sack in the fourth quarter this past Sunday:

With Alex Highsmith nearing a return, it’s safe to say that the Pittsburgh Steelers have the best front-7 in the league. If the offense continues to overperform, this is a unit that can hang with the AFC elites.


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