Teryl Austin’s Pittsburgh Steelers defense yielded 249 rushing yards against the Buffalo Bills during Week 13. That’s the most the organization has allowed in a single home game over more than 50 years.
But last year in Baltimore, the Steelers allowed 299 rushing yards against the Ravens. Pittsburgh will be trying to bounce back after the Bills loss in Baltimore during Week 14.
Despite the poor performance Sunday and in the last matchup versus the Ravens, Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin seemed rather confident Thursday about the team’s run defense entering the Baltimore showdown.
“I think that when I look at where we are from last year, the end of last year and where we are now in terms of how we’re operating up front and in our front seven, I like us a lot better than last year,” Austin told reporters on Thursday.
“I think our guys will bounce back and get things going in the right direction.”
Steelers Run Defense to Face Difficult Test vs. Ravens
What Austin said in that answer isn’t wrong. The Steelers added defensive linemen Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black, along with edge rusher Jack Sawyer, in the 2025 NFL Draft to solidify their front seven.
The organization made those additions to avoid another poor showing in run defense versus the Ravens. During the AFC wild card round last season, the Ravens averaged six yards per carry and scored two rushing touchdowns.
It’s just a little jarring to hear Austin claim the Steelers run defense is in better shape than a year ago. Pittsburgh finished the 2024 season ranked sixth in rushing yards allowed.
That ranking doesn’t include the embarrassing playoff performance versus Baltimore. But this season, the Steelers are 17th in rushing yards yielded per game.
The team took a nose dive in that category after playing the Bills. That’s the other reason why Austin’s claim the run defense is better is a bit of a head scratcher. The Steelers run defense certainly didn’t play well Sunday.
When Austin stated the unit is ready to bounce back, he appeared to mean from last year’s playoff game. But he also could have easily meant from Sunday’s contest.
T.J. Watt Makes Revealing Comment on Steelers Run Defense
One reason the Steelers can feel better about their run defense going forward is Harmon. The team selected him in the first round last spring.
But Harmon won’t play versus the Ravens. Without Harmon this season, the Steelers have yielded 182.7 rushing yards per game as opposed to the 96 rushing yards per contest they give up with him.
Harmon’s absence is a reason to be concerned, not confident, about the Steelers run defense against the Ravens.
In Austin’s defense, his comment wasn’t completely specific, as it referred to how the unit “operates” up front. Without Harmon, the Steelers could still be better equipped to stop the Ravens because of an improved scheme.
Again, though, it didn’t appear Pittsburgh’s defensive scheme was very good versus Buffalo. Edge rusher T.J. Watt may have made the most telling comment about Austin’s defense right after the Bills lost.
“I’ve never seen a team run the same play as much as they ran it tonight and have as much success as they have,” Watt told reporters. “I’m out of words for it.”
The Steelers will have to be much better against Baltimore’s ground attack Sunday if they are going to head home with the division lead in the AFC North.
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