{"id":35729,"date":"2017-12-27T11:52:39","date_gmt":"2017-12-27T16:52:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=35729"},"modified":"2017-12-27T11:52:39","modified_gmt":"2017-12-27T16:52:39","slug":"week-16-pittsburgh-steelers-takeaways-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2017\/12\/27\/week-16-pittsburgh-steelers-takeaways-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Week 16 Pittsburgh Steelers Takeaways"},"content":{"rendered":"

Week 16 was an opportunity for the Pittsburgh Steelers<\/a> to shake off last week\u2019s defeat to the New England Patriots.<\/a> This would be no easy task, but there was still work to be done. New England took care of the Buffalo Bills<\/a> on Sunday, so Pittsburgh could not take control of the number one seed. But after a Jacksonville Jaguars<\/a> loss on Sunday, Pittsburgh had the chance to clinch a first round bye with a win. Pittsburgh did just that, as they easily defeated the Houston Texans<\/a> 34-6 on Christmas day. Pittsburgh won handily with a stout defensive effort and offensive efficiency.<\/span><\/p>\n

Week 16 Pittsburgh Steelers Takeaways<\/span><\/h1>\n

The pass defense was the difference maker for Pittsburgh on Monday. Houston\u2019s offense does not look the same without <\/span>Deshaun Watson<\/a><\/b> at quarterback. Houston was also without their second string quarterback Tom Savage<\/strong><\/a>. However, Pittsburgh still had to show up against third string quarterback <\/span>T.J. Yates<\/a><\/b>, and they did. Pittsburgh\u2019s defense gave up just 93 yards through the air, a large improvement from last week. <\/span><\/p>\n

Haden Shines in Return<\/span><\/h2>\n

This can be largely attributed to the play of cornerback <\/span>Joe Haden<\/a><\/b>. Haden was making his return to the field after missing five weeks with a fractured fibula. As the Steelers best cornerback, Haden was given the task of covering Houston\u2019s <\/span>DeAndre Hopkins<\/a><\/b>. Hopkins has become one of the best receivers in the league over his five year career. Haden was up to the task, and held the star receiver without a catch up to the very end of quarter three. Haden\u2019s return helps the Pittsburgh secondary immensely, and bolsters the defense as a whole.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hilton Continues Success<\/span><\/h2>\n

Another bright spot in Pittsburgh\u2019s secondary this season has been <\/span>Mike Hilton<\/a><\/b>. Hilton has displayed himself as one of Pittsburgh\u2019s best tacklers in the secondary. He has also shown himself to be the only one worthy of running <\/span>Keith Butler<\/a><\/b>\u2019s corner blitz. Hilton had more success with the blitz this week, picking up three sacks. Hilton has had a rather successful season, considering it is only his second year in the league after going undrafted. Both Hilton and Haden have been much needed difference-makers in the Steelers secondary, helping elevate them as a defensive unit.<\/span><\/p>\n

Offense Efficient in Win<\/span><\/h2>\n

While the offense did not put up large numbers, they did score 34 points by being efficient. <\/span>Ben Roethlisberger<\/a><\/b> threw only 29 times, but completed 20 of his passes. The run game did not rely too heavily on <\/span>Le\u2019Veon Bell<\/b><\/a>. Bell got a few breaks while recently acquired <\/span>Stevan Ridley<\/b><\/a> carried the ball nine times. Ridley was added to replace the injured <\/span>James Conner<\/a><\/b>, but saw more snaps than Conner typically does. <\/span>JuJu Smith-Schuster<\/a><\/b> had a good game, stepping up in the absence of Antonio Brown<\/strong><\/a>. Smith-Schuster caught six passes for 75 yards and a touchdown. <\/span><\/p>\n

Looking Ahead<\/span><\/h2>\n

Next week, the Steelers will close out the 2017 regular season as they host the winless Cleveland Browns<\/a>. Pittsburgh can move into the number one seed in the AFC playoffs with a win and a Patriots loss to the New York Jets<\/a>. With a win, Pittsburgh will finish the season 13-3, far good enough to finish first in the AFC North. Pittsburgh will also finish the season undefeated in AFC North play if they win on Sunday.<\/span><\/p>\n

Main Image:<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>