Before we begin, we feel obligated to remind everyone the Pittsburgh Steelers led the league in sacks as a team in 2018. However, it is also important to note when it comes to total pressures, the Steelers fall somewhere closer to the middle of the pack.
This is an important distinction when we talk about some of the data presented by Pro Football Focus. They did a data dive on the Steelers and one of the more interesting bits of data they gleaned was in terms of pass-rush snaps by inside linebacker Vince Williams and cornerback Mike Hilton.
These numbers are telling that is further illustrates just how hard Pittsburgh tried to get pressure on the quarterback. However, if you are going to hang your hat on the fact Pittsburgh led the league in sacks as a reason to justify the defensive play, you might want to look away.
In 179 total pressure snaps, Hilton and Williams combined for 5.5 sacks. By any objective measure, this is far too low. If the Steelers are going to blitz so much, the percentage of those blitzes which end up sacks has to increase. Williams had eight sacks just two seasons ago and Hilton had four in the same season.
Personally, I’d rather see the Steelers lead the league in total pressures and finish in the middle of the pack in sacks. The Steelers’ defense was essentially an all-or-nothing proposition when it came to rushing the passer in 2018 and this must change.
