The Steelers defense did what they have been doing all season for this team: they won them the game.
Joe Haden's interception of Kyler Murray, the team's third of the day, sealed the deal on a much needed victory.
This is the best defense in the NFL.
--They’re 5th in the league in total defense. They just gave up 236 yards, got 5 sacks, and took it away 3 times.
--They’re 5th in the league giving up just 209 passing yards per game.
--They’re 5th in the league with a passer rating against of 81.2.
--They’re 1st in the league in sacks.
--They’re 1st in the league in takeaways.
--They’re giving up 18 points per game. 13.3 in their last three.
--They’ve won 7 of 8 games and are giving up just 16 points per game in that span.
--The Steelers have at least one sack and one TO in every game this year.
--They have bona fid defensive player of the year candidates in T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick.
--Three players should finish the year with double-digit sacks: Watt, Bud Dupree (9.5), and Cam Heyward (8).
The Steelers defense also won the Chargers game, 2nd Bengals game, 2nd Browns game, the Cardinals game, and the Rams game by taking the ball away in their opponents final possession. This defense is doing its best Mariano Rivera impression. You may as well play "Enter Sandman" when they step onto the field with a late lead.
The Steelers have now won four games when the offense has put up fewer than 276 total yards. The defense is what's keeping this team in the playoff race. It's the best in football.