Maybe The Defense Is Better Without Law and Parsons?

Chasing6

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We just got done playing the 2nd QB in a row who sucks, especially at passing. So, we stacked the box to stop the run. That's why we suddenly stopped the run for 2 consecutive games. Exact same thing happened last year, several times.
Interesting how we understand this on the defensive side of the ball.
 

dagreat1_87

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I know it's a tiny sample size, but maybe the defense is better, or at least not worse, without the star book-ends.

Maybe they play with more discipline.

Maybe these other guys playing for their NFL lives have more hunger and fight in them.

And just maybe this defense is more coachable without the stars taking up too much mental space.

I know it's a crazy thought, and I know Fields left some "meat on the bone" yesterday (he missed a few throws to open receivers)...but the defense just looked more solid yesterday, with Overshown flying around and being more of the leader with Micah and D Law out. I like it. Let's see if they can play well next week too.
You might be on to something. Obviously it wasn't an elite offense, but players have to play with a different mindset when you know elite player(s) aren't there to bail you out. It's no different from how my office work is. Some guys coast because they know the rockstar on the team will stand out better but once that person is gone or out, certain folks display skills that you never knew they had and while it might not be as flashy, it still get's the job done..
 

gtb1943

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30 yards in RUSHING is a noticeable difference. That would be the difference between being #1 in rush defense and #20 in rush defense last year.
sure OVER AN ENTIRE SEASON but not one game
 

Cydios

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I know it's a tiny sample size, but maybe the defense is better, or at least not worse, without the star book-ends.

Maybe they play with more discipline.

Maybe these other guys playing for their NFL lives have more hunger and fight in them.

And just maybe this defense is more coachable without the stars taking up too much mental space.

I know it's a crazy thought, and I know Fields left some "meat on the bone" yesterday (he missed a few throws to open receivers)...but the defense just looked more solid yesterday, with Overshown flying around and being more of the leader with Micah and D Law out. I like it. Let's see if they can play well next week too.
Steelers were down 2 olineman. We can also say that Tank and Parsons would have blown up this bad oline.
 

Zman5

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sure OVER AN ENTIRE SEASON but not one game

What? It's not just one game
They played 4 games before us and were averaging 128.5 yards rushing per game. We held them to 36 5 yards less than their 2024 season average.

That is the entire 2024 season.
 

Cowfan75Lives

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We need Parsons. Haven't cared about Dlaw and his "little things" for a long time.
 

SackMaster

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We also played an offense that is terrible and a qb who is terrible
The Steelers Offense, specifically the Run O, is much better than the Browns.

Yet the backups had a MUCH better run D game against the better rushing O than the starters did against the weaker rushing O.

So while I don't agree at all with the OP, the D is better with Parsons and DLaw, it was quite eye-opening to see the D play as a UNIT instead of just a bunch of divas trying to be the Hero.

JMHO
 

kskboys

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The Steelers Offense, specifically the Run O, is much better than the Browns.

Yet the backups had a MUCH better run D game against the better rushing O than the starters did against the weaker rushing O.

So while I don't agree at all with the OP, the D is better with Parsons and DLaw, it was quite eye-opening to see the D play as a UNIT instead of just a bunch of divas trying to be the Hero.

JMHO
But, that kinda means the D is better.
 

TrailBlazer

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I know it's a tiny sample size, but maybe the defense is better, or at least not worse, without the star book-ends.

Maybe they play with more discipline.

Maybe these other guys playing for their NFL lives have more hunger and fight in them.

And just maybe this defense is more coachable without the stars taking up too much mental space.

I know it's a crazy thought, and I know Fields left some "meat on the bone" yesterday (he missed a few throws to open receivers)...but the defense just looked more solid yesterday, with Overshown flying around and being more of the leader with Micah and D Law out. I like it. Let's see if they can play well next week too.
Justin Fields is just not good. That's why we won the game. But yes, these young guys and depth pieces got some dawg in em.
 

kskboys

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Justin Fields is just not good. That's why we won the game. But yes, these young guys and depth pieces got some dawg in em.
Even more than that, they stayed w/ their assignments and didn't let the play go through them.
 

SackMaster

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But, that kinda means the D is better.
The D played together as a UNIT, but I also think that they can do that with Parsons and DLaw in the lineup too.

Not sure why it hasn't been that way, but maybe the players and/or coaches can be rest assured that Parsons, DLaw, or anyone else DOES NOT have to be Superman to have the D play half decent.

JMHO
 

lostar2009

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Any other QB in the NFL would've won that game last night against Dallas. I think the D still gave up too much. But your QB throwing 2-3 INTs is not good. Hopefully it's out of his system, every QB have a real bad game.
 

RonWashington

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Even when people get heathy up front Tyrus Wheat should remain in the rotation . Certainly ahead of Golston . A poor man’s Dorrance Armstrong .
 

5Stars

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I know it's a tiny sample size, but maybe the defense is better, or at least not worse, without the star book-ends.

Maybe they play with more discipline.

Maybe these other guys playing for their NFL lives have more hunger and fight in them.

And just maybe this defense is more coachable without the stars taking up too much mental space.

I know it's a crazy thought, and I know Fields left some "meat on the bone" yesterday (he missed a few throws to open receivers)...but the defense just looked more solid yesterday, with Overshown flying around and being more of the leader with Micah and D Law out. I like it. Let's see if they can play well next week too.
Maybe the defense will get better? You ever though about that?
 
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