Patrick Graham has a defense that’s trending in the right direction, and this Week 7 meeting with New Orleans is a chance to prove it against a quarterback who’s making noise.
Tyler Shough has put up the kind of numbers that force opponents to pay attention. Entering Week 7, the second-year quarterback has 14 total touchdowns - 12 through the air and two on the ground - while averaging 240.5 passing yards per game. Even with the Saints sitting below .500, that production makes him a real problem for Pittsburgh.
The Steelers have been much sharper lately against quarterbacks, too. Over their last three games, they’ve given up just two passing touchdowns and picked off three passes.
Deshaun Watson gave Graham’s group its roughest outing in Week 4, finishing with a 72.7% completion rate and 299 passing yards in a Browns win. That game clearly pushed Pittsburgh back to the drawing board.
Since then, the results have looked a lot cleaner. Daniel Jones completed only 54.5% of his throws, while Jalon Daniels finished at 51.2%. Over the last two weeks, Pittsburgh has also piled up six sacks, a strong answer after a shaky stretch against a divisional opponent.
Now comes a different kind of challenge. Shough brings mobility, confidence, and arm talent, and he’s paired with Chris Olave to give New Orleans a passing threat Pittsburgh has to respect. The two have connected for 580 receiving yards and 43 catches this season - more yards than CeeDee Lamb’s 577 and more receptions than Malik Nabers’ 41.
That makes explosive plays the big concern for Graham’s defense, especially with the secondary a little thin. Brandin Echols is out with a hamstring injury, while Jalen Ramsey has been dealing with a wrist issue but is still expected to play.
Shough can also hurt teams when plays break down. According to Pro Football Focus, he has scrambled eight times for 89 yards and two rushing touchdowns.
He isn’t built around designed runs, but he’ll take off if space opens up. At the same time, he’s been sacked 13 times this season, which gives Pittsburgh an opening if its front can keep winning.
That front should be in good shape. T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith are both expected to play full snaps despite dealing with injuries during the week, and Pittsburgh has already generated six sacks across its last two games.
The key for Graham is simple: don’t let Shough control the pace. Simulated pressures can speed him up, and disciplined edge play can keep him from escaping the pocket. With Olave drawing attention downfield, the Steelers will also need their secondary to stay locked in if the play extends.
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For Pittsburgh supporters making the trip, the timing matters because the Steelers are still slated to play at Stade de France on Sunday, and any shift in the citys mood only adds to the uncertainty around a high-profile overseas game. The team had already scrapped a fan event in Paris because of the turmoil, so while the football itself remains on the calendar, the rest of the weekend is looking harder to plan by the day. [Read more 🡒]