The Steelers rank ninth in the NFL in total defense (333.5 YPG) entering their Week 16 game against the Saints.

Analysis: The Pittsburgh defense managed their best performance of the year last week against the Patriots, as they willed their team to victory by holding Tom Brady and company to only 10 points. Unfortunately for the Steelers, they have to travel to New Orleans and face the second-highest scoring offense (32.8 PPG) in the NFL in Week 16. The Saints are coming off a surprise outing of their own, as they managed only 12 points and committed two turnovers in their win against the Panthers. The Steelers'…read more

The Steelers are fresh off their most disappointing loss of the season in which they fell 24-21 to the Raiders.

Analysis: It was a game that warranted Pittsburgh fans' audible screams. A nightmare performance capped with a blocked field goal to end the game is what could keep the Steelers out of the playoffs down the road. With the Patriots and Saints still on the schedule, the Steelers will need their defense to peak at levels it hasn't all season. T.J. Watt has blossomed into an elite-caliber pass rusher, but the Steelers still rank 16th in the NFL in scoring defense (23.5 PPG). Tom Brady and the Patriots enter…read more

The Steelers enter Sunday's tilt with the Raiders fresh off consecutive losses for the first time all season.

Analysis: Pittsburgh will have a good chance to break its first losing streak of the season with Oakland waiting in the short distance. Prior to last week, Oakland had eclipsed 17 points in just one of its previous four contests. Expect the Steelers to look to exploit the Raiders offensive ineptitudes with a heavy pass rush. Derek Carr has shown inconsistencies this season, especially when under pressure. Playing in the Black Hole is never easy, but Coliseum doesn't boast much of its luster when the…read more

The Steelers currently boast the league's sixth-best total defense (325.1 YPG). They'll face the Chargers in Week 13.

Analysis: Pittsburgh took a step back last week following a loss to Denver, but the defense still projects as a solid option in most standard leagues. T.J. Watt's 10 sacks have brought a new energy to the defensive side of the ball. Still, more is needed from others if the Pittsburgh D/ST hopes to deliver consistent fantasy value. Heading into Week 13 action, the Steelers rank only 22nd in the NFL with 12 takeaways. If Mike Tomlin's bunch are going to leave Sunday's tilt against the Chargers with a win,…read more

The Steelers enter their Week 12 game against the Broncos with the sixth-ranked total defense (326.8 YPG).

Analysis: The Steelers also rank 10th in scoring defense (22.5 PPG) and haven't allowed an opponent to score more than 21 points since the Ravens put up 26 points in Week 4. The major strength for Pittsburgh this season has been their pass rush as they lead the NFL with 37 sacks. The Broncos do protect QB Case Keenum relatively well, but are generally an inconsistent and are down a playmaker following the trade of WR Demaryius Thomas late last month. The Steelers have played well defensively this season…read more

The Steelers enter their Week 11 matchup against Jacksonville as the league's eight-ranked total defense (336.1 YPG).

Analysis: Pittsburgh has effectively evaded any and all Le'Veon Bell distractions to win each of its last five contests. The resurgence has been largely attributed to the Steelers' dynamic offense, but the Steel City defense has been more than productive over the recent winning streak. In last week's 52-21 onslaught of Carolina, Pittsburgh's defense forced two turnovers while limiting Cam Newton and company to just 242 total yards of offense. In doing so, Mike Tomlin's defense has now kept opponents…read more

The Steelers enter their Week 10 game against the Panthers with the NFL's 12th-best total defense (347.9 YPG).

Analysis: Pittsburgh's defense has been surging as of late and is seemingly clicking at the right time to make a push for a division crown following last week's 23-16 win over the Ravens. The winning effort marked the fourth consecutive win for Pittsburgh in which they kept their opponent to 21 points or less. Given their recent output, the Steelers will draw heavy consideration entering this week's contest, but there is some reason for caution as the Black and Yellow prep for Cam Newton. Carolina is…read more

The Steelers enter their Week 9 game against the Ravens with the league's 15th-best total defense (359.7 YPG).

Analysis: Pittsburgh has been the epitome of a mediocre defense through the season's midpoint. While nowhere near an upper-echelon group, yet the Black and Yellow bring a consistency to the table that many others have yet to showcase. The Steelers have kept opponents' point totals within the 17- to 27-point range for all but two contests this season. Sunday's game at Baltimore figures to be a bit of slugfest considering these two teams seem to dig deeper into their souls when they match up with one…read more

Pittsburgh enters their Week 8 game against Cleveland with the 21st-ranked scoring defense (25.7 PPG).

Analysis: After a slow defensive start to the season, Pittsburgh seems to have regrouped a bit. In each of its last two contests, Pittsburgh has kept opponents below the 22-point threshold. While the yardage and points allowed have not been great, the Steelers have shown an exceptional pass rush through their first six contests. Thanks in large part to T.J. Watt (six sacks), Pittsburgh ranks tied for second across the NFL with 22.0 sacks. Sunday's rematch against Cleveland figures to work slightly in the…read more

Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt is tied for first in the NFL with six sacks heading into the team's Week 6 matchup with the Bengals.

Analysis: Watt has been a force since coming into the league one year ago. Much like his brother, J.J., the younger Watt excels at finding the quarterback. Unfortunately for the Steelers, there's only one of him to go around. As a unit, Pittsburgh ranks 29th in total defense, yielding 401.2 yards per game. Granted, not many teams have had to face offenses with the potency of Kansas City or Atlanta through five weeks, but the numbers are what they are. Sunday's game against Cincinnati provides the…read more

Pittsburgh currently ranks 26th in the NFL in scoring defense (29.0 points per game).

Analysis: Through four weeks, the Steelers have just one win, which came against the Buccaneers in Week 3. There are real issues defensively that have contributed to the early struggles. Despite the emergence of T.J. Watt as a pass rusher and Terrell Edmunds as a weapon at safety, Pittsburgh has been gashed in every contest so far. The Week 5 draw against Matt Ryan and the Falcons isn't going to ease the problems in the Steel City. In fact, it might only exacerbate Pittsburgh's defensive problems.

The Steelers enter Week 4 action ranked 29th in total defense (410.3 YPG).

Analysis: In some ways, the Steelers' early defensive woes are a product of the tough offensive competition they have faced out of the gate. But there's no question Pittsburgh has some troubling liabilities on the defensive side of the ball. In addition to the 29th ranked total defense, Pittsburgh ranks 28th in scoring defense (30.0 PPG). Sunday's primetime matchup with Baltimore should provide a hostile environment for the Ravens. With the terrible towels in full force, perhaps the Steelers defense can…read more

Steelers cornerback Joe Haden (hamstring) is questionable for Monday's game against the Buccaneers.

Analysis: Haden was held out of the Week 2 loss to the Chiefs, so there's optimism that the extra rest could serve him well leading into Monday's cross-conference affair. While the Steelers fell victim to Kansas City's high-octane offense last week, the poor defensive showing seems more like a testament to Chiefs offense than an indictment on Pittsburgh's defense. The Steelers have defensive assets, but the lack of offensive ball security has often put the defense in a tough situation. Tampa Bay has been…read more

Steelers cornerback Joe Haden (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's matchup with the Chiefs.

Analysis: Haden sustained the hamstring injury during Week 1 action and it doesn't appear so though there's any verdict for his Sunday availability. Should Haden miss Week 2's contest, the Steelers could be in trouble. The new-look Chiefs offense barely targeted Travis Kelce during Week 1 and still hung 38 points on the Chargers. Kansas City's offense has the early-makings of one of the league's most potent units. Pittsburgh seems outmatched from a defensive standpoint. Although the Steel Curtain have…read more

Pittsburgh's starting defense is fully healthy heading into their Week 17 matchup against the Browns.

Analysis: Veteran linebacker James Harrision had an ugly breakup with the team this week, but he played a limited on-field role that should have an effect for fantasy purposes. The Steelers defense ranks fourth in the NFL in total yardage per game (302.4) and fifth in scoring defense (18.9), and are going up against a Browns offense that ranks at or near the bottom of the league in most offensive categories. Pittsburgh is likely to be one of the most sought after defenses for Week 17, and for good reason…read more

The Steelers starting defense is fully healthy heading into Monday's game against the Texans.

Analysis: The return of Joe Haden from a broken leg puts Pittsburgh back at full health defensively, but considering that they face the Texans this week it may not even matter. Houston has committed the fourth-most turnover in the NFL (25) and will start T.J. Yates under center, who didn't even begin the season on the team's 53-man roster. The Texans have averaged only 13 points per game over the last four weeks, and the Steelers will hope to return their defense to the dominant form they illustrated…read more

Cornerbacks Joe Haden (leg) and Coty Sensabaugh (shoulder) are both listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Patriots.

Analysis: Haden is coming back from a broken leg and may be on a limited snap count regardless, so the Steelers can ill afford another injury in the secondary as they face Tom Brady and the Patriots. The New England struggled against the Dolphins last week, but with tight end Rob Gronkowski returning from suspension that shouldn't be expected to become a trend. Gronk has eaten Pittsburgh alive over the last few years, and the team doesn't appear to have a clear solution to slowing him down. The Steelers…read more

The Steelers rank fifth in the NFL in scoring defense giving up just 17.8 PPG.

Analysis: Pittsburgh will have the tough task of trying to shift its attention away from the scary incident that marred Monday's win over the Bengals in which Ryan Shazier suffered a potentially serious neck injury and begin focusing on the Ravens offense this week. While it won't be easy, the Steelers know what's at stake with home-field advantage throughout the playoffs potentially on the line. This game figures to feature a close game given the nature of the rivalry between these two teams. However,…read more

CB Joe Haden (upper leg) is out and FS Mike Mitchell (ankle) is doubtful for Monday's game against the Bengals.

Analysis: With two starting secondary members likely out, the Steelers are giving the Bengals worst-ranked offense a better chance at making an impact. Still, the Steelers defense should be ready to bounce back from Week 12's performance, where they let up a season-high 28 points to the Packers offense. The Bengals should provide ample opportunities for that to happen, since they've given up 17 turnovers over 11 games, even though they've coughed it up just twice in their last four matchups, and the…read more

Safety Mike Mitchell is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Packers with an ankle injury.

Analysis: The Steelers defense has been a model of consistency this season, and has not allowed more than 17 points in each of their past five games. They have another favorable matchup this week against a Packers offense which is led by inexperienced QB Brett Hundley, who has eight turnovers in five games since taking over for Aaron Rodgers (collarbone), and is coming off a three-interception performance. The Packers depleted running back situation plays in Pittsburgh's favor as well, and the Steelers…read more

Safety Mike Mitchell (ankle) is listed as questionable for Thursday night's game against the Titans after practicing in a limited fashion Tuesday and Wednesday.

Analysis: Ordinarily the loss of Mitchell would hurt the Steelers but not be overly debilitating, but with starting cornerback Joe Haden breaking his fibula in last Sunday's win over the Colts, the secondary will already be below full strength. Regardless, Pittsburgh's defense has looked more like the a typical Steelers defense in 2017, as they rank second in points per game (16.4), second in total yards (284.4) and pass yards (181.8), and tied for second in sacks (29). The Titans offense has had an…read more