Steelers' Teryl Austin Stays Calm Despite Defensive Struggles in Week 1
The Pittsburgh Steelers' defense gave the fan base some worry in their showing against the New York Jets in Week 1. The Steelers did walk away with a road win at MetLife Stadium, winning 34-32, but that was mostly thanks to the four touchdown passes from the arm of Aaron Rodgers. Without that performance, the Steelers likely would have had a bad Week 1 showing. The defense gave up 394 yards of total offense to the Justin Fields-led Jets, and that is a reason for concern.
Steelers Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin spoke to the media about the struggling showing, but he is not worried about it. Austin explained that he saw areas that need improvement, but he emphasized that one game is not enough to cause panic. He pointed to mistakes in execution and lapses in consistency, acknowledging that the defense did not meet the standard the Steelers set for themselves. Still, his message was clear. He believes the group is capable of correcting those mistakes and showing a much sharper performance moving forward.
While the numbers against the Jets were alarming to many fans, Austin refused to let the outside noise shift his mindset. He noted that Week 1 often brings unpredictable results and said his focus is on steady growth throughout the season. Rather than dwelling on the yards and points allowed, he highlighted the importance of building momentum and trusting that the defense will respond better in the weeks ahead.
"It was not the same thing," Austin said. "It was different. I didn’t think we got knocked around. I think we missed some opportunities. I didn’t feel that way. I know how I felt coming off that field in Baltimore last year and I didn’t feel the same way. I feel good about this group and that they’ll play better and rebound moving forward."
The Steelers’ highly compensated defense looked awful in the playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Austin made sure to emphasize that his unit’s showing against the Jets was nowhere near that level.
"We just didn’t play well in a lot of areas," Austin said. "We have to get them better calls. We have to get them where they need to be. When you looked at the film, we have to do a better job of tackling, getting off blocks, being in the right spots, giving the guys an opportunity to do that... It happened. Every now and then, you have a stinker like that. You don’t like them, but it gives us an opportunity to get back to work and get better at it."
Steelers' Defense Looking For Redemption Fast
The Steelers' defense did not do what many had expected in Week 1, but there is still a long season ahead to get things right. At the end of the 2024 season, the Steelers' defense was struggling with issues that should have been corrected earlier in the year. Now is the perfect time for Austin and
The running game could not be slowed down, and the Jets’ pass catchers were left open more than any Steelers fans liked to see. There is time, but Austin has to get this talented and highly paid unit fixed fast. Up next on the schedule is the Seattle Seahawks and their new quarterback, Sam Darnold. They will be coming to the Steel City on Sunday, and the Steelers defense will be seeking redemption.
What is your level of concern about this Teryl Austin-led Steelers' defense?
Prescott Responds to CeeDee Lamb’s Apology Text: “I’m Not Going to Stop Throwing You the Ball”
Dak Prescott won’t let one game change how he feels about his All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb.
Lamb caught seven passes for 110 yards in the Dallas Cowboys’ Week 1 loss to the defending-champion Philadelphia Eagles. But the numbers don’t tell the whole story.
Lamb had three drops in the contest, including one that would have put the Cowboys deep in Eagles territory with a chance to win the game in the final minutes. The wasted opportunities weighed heavily on Lamb, who later apologized to his quarterback through text. Lamb messaged Prescott after the game to say that the drops “won’t happen again” and implored his QB to “keep trusting me.”
Prescott spoke to the media on Thursday ahead of his team’s Week 2 contest against the New York Giants. One reporter asked what the Cowboys QB replied to Lamb’s text messages.
“‘Yeah, I’m not going to stop throwing you the ball. That’s a game, bro,'” Prescott said was his reply to Lamb.
“Same thing I told y’all,” Prescott continued. It wasn’t the best day. It wasn’t the best day for CeeDee. It’s understandable. It happens. Hell, I’ve had them, right? We’ve all had them.
“‘Nobody, especially [you], I’m not going to lose confidence in. And so don’t worry, just keep approaching the way that you’re approaching, and you’re going to have a bounce back, and many of them.'”
Lamb is coming off a fourth-straight season with at least 1,000 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns. He’s also just two years removed from his 1,749-yard, 12-touchdown campaign in 2023 that saw him earn first-team All-Pro honors for the first time in his career.
It’s a testament to Lamb’s talent that a 110-yard receiving game was considered subpar due to a couple of drops. As far as Prescott is concerned, one game won’t erase the body of work Lamb has put up to earn his trust.
