Before the 2021 NFL season started it was expected that the defense of the Pittsburgh steelers was one of the most dominant during the regular season. No one imagined that at some point the defense would allow 586 rushing yards in a span of three games.
After two losses in which they allowed 41 points each, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick knows that things have not gone as expected and considers various reasons as the causes.
“For a defensive unit that had high expectations before the regular season, things haven’t turned out the way we expected after 11 games”, Declared the safety this Monday in a press conference.
At the moment, Fitzpatrick leads Steelers with 49 individual tackles according to the statistical register of Pro Football Reference. In addition, he accumulates two passes defended, an interception, a forced fumble and a tackle for loss of yards.
Injuries everywhere
Injuries have sapped all parts of the defensive unit. On the line has not counted on Stephon tuitt and Tyson alualu he was injured in mid-September. The linebacker Tj watt he has appeared in nine of the 11 games the Steelers have played.
In the secondary defense, Joe haden he’s been out the last two games. In addition, Fitzpatrick himself was out of activity due to COVID-19 and he considers that this explains part of the performance.
“There are many reasons. We have lost some guys through injury, we have a lot of new faces playing with us. We normally play at a certain level no matter who is available, but now we are not.”Fitzpatrick explained.
By Week 13, they will face the Baltimore Ravens, who were victorious against the Cleveland Browns despite four interceptions thrown by quarterback Lamar Jackson.
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Minkah Fitzpatrick: We’re not playing at our level