The Pittsburgh Steelers have historically had one of the best defenses in the NFL every season.
While that idea still rings partially true in 2023 (the Steelers have the seventh-best scoring defense in the league), Pittsburgh has given up at least 21 points to two of the worst teams in the NFL in back-to-back weeks.
The 3-10 Arizona Cardinals scored 24 points in an upset win in Week 13, while the 3-10 New England Patriots scored 21 in their win over the Steelers in Week 14.
Some of these issues are schematic, while other issues could be the play of the Steelers’ best defensive players.
One of those – safety Minkah Fitzpatrick – was recently called out by former Steelers defensive tackle Chris Hoke, who noted how Fitzpatrick hasn’t had good production this season for Pittsburgh.
“Minkah has 64 tackles, zero interceptions, zero forced fumbles, zero fumble recoveries,” Hoke said on 937theFan, via producer Matt Koll. “‘A’ players have to play ‘A’ ball in games like last Thursday and this Saturday. They haven’t gotten that from him this season.”
Former Steeler Chris Hoke called out Minkah Fitzpatrick on @937theFan:
"Minkah has 64 tackles, 0 interceptions, 0 forced fumbles, 0 fumble recoveries. "A" players have to play "A" ball in games like last Thursday & this Saturday. They haven't gotten that from him this season."
— Matt Koll (@MKoll15) December 14, 2023
In the past two games, Fitzpatrick has just 10 combined tackles, one tackle for a loss and no pass break-ups or takeaways.
That’s a problem – especially after Fitzpatrick led the NFL with six interceptions in his Pro Bowl and All-Pro season in 2022.
Now, Fitzpatrick has been injured this season after he missed four games with a hamstring injury.
But that time away from the field was supposed to help him heal and return to form as the Steelers head toward the postseason.
That didn’t happen, and the Steelers’ defense has suffered for it and Pittsburgh tentatively holds the No. 6 seed in the playoffs.
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