Teresa Varley

Thursday, November 20

Another challenge to take on:Facing a challenge is nothing new to the Steelers defense, and this week it comes in the form of the NFC's No. 1 rushing offense, and the second ranked rushing offense overall in the NFL.

The Bears have a two-headed monster in running backs D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai. Swift has 134 carries for 634 yards and four touchdowns, while Monangai has 87 carries for 413 yards and three touchdowns.

Add on to that quarterback Caleb Williams' ability to take off and run, with 52 carries for 272 yards and three touchdowns, and it's no wonder stopping the run is a big focus this week. Williams is also putting up big numbers in the air, with 194 completions for 2,329 yards and 13 touchdowns.

"This guy is very electric with the ball in his hands," said defensive tackle Cameron Heyward of Williams. "So, we've got to make sure we're throwing a lot of darts at him and get multiple hats to the ball again in a different way.

"I think sometimes we talk so much about what the passing game was doing. But D'Andre Swift and Monangai are really killing it. Their rushing yards speak for themselves.

"There's a commitment there. You get in this league, and you think oh, you can have a lot of passing yards. It kind of reminds me of how Detroit was, and when you bring over (head coach) Ben Johnson, you expect that.

"But there's never a run line where you feel like we have to throw the ball. It doesn't matter what they're in, they feel comfortable and confident that they can run the ball. That's a credit to the offensive line finishing blocks, the running backs, tight ends. Everybody's included in the run game."

Unlike last year, when Williams was sacked 68 times in 17 games, he has only been sacked 16 times through 10 games this year. That is another thing that is going to have the defense on their toes.

"His escapability is second to none," said Heyward. "I think he does a great job of really moving around the pocket, buying extra time. A couple of times, especially on the edge, he's able to turn his shoulders when guys aren't getting to their upfield shoulder. He's spinning out.

"He's really just been a magician getting out of it.

"So, you can't just take for granted that you have a free rush and they're leaving you open. He's going to make you pay."

What a week for Washington:Darnell Washington laughed when he was asked about the attention he has received since his head-turning 31-yard catch against Cincinnati where he took out three Bengals defenders.

"It's been pretty cool," said Washington. "Interesting. I'll say it's pretty cool."

Washington was asked if he thinks defenders will now question trying to tackle him after seeing the play.

His answer was simple and to the point.

"Hopefully," laughed Washington. "I am not a Calvin Austin kind of guy. You know what's coming, the shoulder or the hurdle. I guess they have to go in with a plan.

"Truth be told, I just go out there and do it. I take what they give me. If they are smaller, it's the shoulder, maybe a hurdle. It depends on how I am feeling."

Washington said he started to hurdle defenders in high school, mostly for his own safety.

"It was just me protecting myself," said Washington. "Me taking, I don't know how many hits to the legs can do damage in the long run.

"I just feel like you have to learn how to fall."

Washington's game has grown leaps and bounds since he was drafted by the Steelers in 2023, and that comes from a greater understanding of what is expected.

"It's really just the knowledge of the game," said Washington. "My rookie year, I didn't know what to expect. Just the knowledge of the game, the rules, the playbook, the routes, the blocking details.

"Just everything about the game."

This season has been a breakout year for him, and it's not just about numbers. He has 18 receptions for 209 yards and a touchdown, but the impact is felt in other ways as well.

"It's been cool," said Washington. "Even when it's not the highlights, hurdles or run overs, there's still lots of learning to do.

"It's been fun working with these guys in the locker room."

Ready for whoever starts:The Steelers offensive line is a group that is ready and willing to line up and play no matter who is in the lineup.

And that includes whoever lines up under center.

With uncertainty at quarterback this week with Aaron Rodgers dealing with a broken bone in his left wrist, it has yet to be determined who will start on Sunday against the Chicago Bears.

But the line knows they have a job to do and feel comfortable if Mason Rudolph is called upon to start.

"It's a change," said guard Mason McCormick. "We've spent a lot of time working with Mason though, and whoever we have back there we feel confident in."

It might not be until Friday that the team knows who is going to start, and McCormick said that is something they just have to be ready for.

"In some instances it might be tough," said McCormick. "But I feel like we have played and been around Mason and Aaron enough to know who they are, to know what they like. I don't think it should be that big of a challenge."

During OTAs in the spring, the starting offensive line worked extensively with Rudolph, who stepped in during the second half of the Bengals game when Rodgers couldn't go. That is working to their advantage now.

"It helps a ton," said McCormick. "Obviously you saw he came in last week and executed.

"He calmed down pretty quick. I think he had a little bit of jitters coming in. I think he said that. But he definitely calmed down quick. You could see that.

"He's played a lot of football and it's good to have someone back there that's confident.

"We have a ton of confidence in him and so we'll see what happens. We're going to be prepared for whatever."

Rudolph has had his ups and downs in his career, appearing in 32 games, with 18 starts, in six seasons. He spent his first four seasons in Pittsburgh, before signing with the Tennessee Titans in 2024.

He returned to the Steelers this offseason, seeing limited playing time until the Bengals game.

"A ton of respect for him," said McCormick. "He's battled. He's been the one, he's been the backup. He's always come in and done a really good job. And so, a ton of respect for him from that regard.

"Mason's been the same consistent guy. He's a professional and he knows that some of those decisions are out of his control. He does a really good job excelling in whatever his role is."

Mt. Washington:Tight end Darnell Washington had everyone talking after his 31-yard run and catch against Cincinnati, where he man-handled three Bengals defenders after the catch for extra yardage.

Washington was the only player who was a finalist for NFL Network's Angry Runs for Week 11, with each portion of the run that took out a defender one of his nominations.

"Way too big of a dude to be running like that," said NFL Network's Kyle Brandt, who is behind the Angry Runs award. "This was the Godfather trilogy of runs, except he stuck the landing on part three.

"There are some guys in the league that had really good Angry Runs this week But there was no room at the inn.

"I couldn't just put Darnell as one. This thing is going to the Steel City.

"Darnell Washington, you have made history, you have infamy and you have the Scepter. It's going back to where it belongs.

"An all-time Angry Runs."

Washington also won the NFL's Way to Play Award for Week 11 for the play.

"Three levels of defenders," said Troy Vincent, the Executive Vice President of NFL Operations. "Watch his effort at every level. Look at the first stiff arm. Not illegal. Great distance between him and the tackler.

"He goes to the next level and runs through a second defender.

"Then he keeps eating. He gets the defensive back who wants no part of this.

"Last time I saw something like this you were looking at videos of Jim Brown back in the day. Excellent job, Darnell."

While Washington has been the talk of the town, and beyond, what he does on the field comes as no surprise to Coach Mike Tomlin.

"I don't know that he's physically gotten better," said Tomlin. "We might just be discovering him. Some of the freakish things that you see him do in-stadium, I saw him do on Georgia tape. Some of the freakish things that I've seen him do this year I saw him do last year.

"He had a unique run after, certainly, the other day that kind of ignited our collective offensively and defensively. But he had a similar type of play, I remember, in Indianapolis last year when we were kind of running in place offensively and he made a play and it kind of ignited us.

"He's a special athlete. He has unique talents. He's certainly a tough guy to deal with in one-on-one tackle circumstances, and it makes him a force to be reckoned with."

A comfort level:With Aaron Rodgers' status up in the air, quarterback Mason Rudolph is back in the spotlight.

"If Mason is our guy this week, we want to work within his comfort zone the things that he sees and does well that might differ from Aaron," said Coach Mike Tomlin. "But it's all within the framework of what it is that we do."

Rudolph came into the game in the second half against the Bengals on Sunday when Rodgers left the game with a fracture in his wrist, and he completed 12 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown.

"Can't say enough about Mason Rudolph," said Tomlin. "Although we're used to it, it's still appreciated. He's proven over his time here that he's capable of coming in and playing winning football for us, and that's no small task.

"When you're preparing during the course of the week as a backup, you have limited number of reps. Usually the guts of the plan are geared toward the specific talents of the starters. And so, you may get some reps, but it might not be plays that are perfectly in your wheelhouse.

"He's always found a way to manage those challenges, to remain confident, for that confidence to ooze out of him and be a catalyst for a collective performance. And we got that."

While Sunday was the most playing time Rudolph has seen this season, he is no stranger to the Steelers. He spent his first four seasons with the team, before spending the 2024 season with the Tennessee Titans.

Tomlin has seen him grow since his time at Oklahoma State in college until now, especially playing at tempo and pace.

"That was a component of his game in Stillwater," said Tomlin. "And I think that's one of the subtle things that you talk about or think about when you're bringing the game to the quarterback. It's not only plays, but pace, personnel groups, relationships with eligibles.

"There are a lot of variables that come into consideration when you're talking about teeing things up for a specific signal caller."

Deserving of a Gold Jacket:Within the next few weeks, the Pro Football Hall of Fame is expected to announce Modern Era Semifinalists for the Class of 2026, with multiple Steelers still in the running.

One of them is receiver Hines Ward.

Ward, who was a Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalist nine straight years (2017-25), played 14 seasons for the Steelers, after being selected in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft.

"Hines Ward is a Hall of Fame player because number one, he had a tremendous impact on the game," said Hall of Fame Coach Bill Cowher. "His numbers may not be what they are to other people because he played in an offense where he wasn't going to be asked to catch the ball. He was asked a lot to block. We had one of the best running games in my 15 years here, and Hines Ward was a big part of that. He was a guy that every defense knew where he was, every defensive safety knew where he was.

"His impact as a blocker, his impact as a player who can make clutch plays at clutch times. He could play inside. He could play outside. A versatile guy who lined up every snap. He was consistent, he was productive over a long period of time. There's no question in my mind that Hines Ward, don't just look at the numbers, but his impact on the field, what he did to the game, he was a difference maker. And everyone knew and understood where he was. To me, that's a Hall of Fame player."

Ward had 1,000 career receptions for 12,083 yards and 85 touchdowns. His versatility was always on display with his blocking ability a shining example of that.

Ward was the MVP of Super Bowl XL after leading the Steelers to a 21-10 victory over the Seattle Seahawks. In three Super Bowls, Ward registered 14 receptions for 244 yards and two touchdowns.

"Hines Ward is absolutely a Hall of Famer," said quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. "When you talk about a guy that gave everything to his team and wanted to get in the end zone every time he touched the ball, whether it was on the 20-yard line or the one-yard line, he was going to find a way to get in the end zone for his team. He did all the small things. He blocked. The things that aren't in stats are what he did. He attracted attention. He found ways to get his teammates open. He blocked for them when they got the ball. He blocked in the run game. The things that Hines Ward did are Hall of Fame caliber worthy play.

"He was a guy when you threw him the ball, he was going to make the play, and he wasn't going to just catch it, he was going to get extra yards, he was going to get you a first down, and he was going to find a way to get in the end zone. And as a quarterback, you find Hines Ward, and you give him the ball, and you just sit back and watch."

The Steelers 2008 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee, Ward was named to four Pro Bowls (2002-05) and was a member of the team's 75th Season All-Time Team. Ward was selected by his teammates as the Steelers MVP three times in his career, including 2002 along with Joey Porter, 2003, and 2005 with Casey Hampton.

"Hines Ward is one of the toughest receivers I've ever met in my life," said linebacker James Farrior, a member of the Steelers Hall of Honor. "I got a chance to play against him and play with him. When he was on the other side, you always had to be aware of where Hines Ward was. His hands were unbelievable. He was a player when you needed a big play, when you needed a big first down, he was the guy that you go to. Tough as nails. All he did was smile when he was on the field, but he was one of those guys that he could really get under your skin, because he was always smiling, no matter what he was doing."

Figuring it out:In the wake keeping a lid on Colts running back Jonathan Taylor and the Bengals' high-octane passing game in recent weeks, the Steelers' defense is starting to play to a level it felt it was capable of achieving all along.

"I think everybody's just settling in," inside linebacker Patrick Queen said. "From a schematic standpoint we're doing things better, having a better feeling of what offenses are doing and not just playing football, not just being robots and actually playing football.

"And then guys are trusting each other. We're out there playing with energy, playing fast and just trying to play physical."

The "settling in" has coincided with Kyle Dugger and Jalen Ramsey starting at the safety positions and the Steelers' relying more on a two-deep approach over the last three games.

"I think that's a big part of it," Queen continued. "The more you can stay out of that three-deep world, it makes it a little bit easier on us as defenders, just being able to keep everything in front and also having guys around you to be able to get to the ball and not being out-leveraged and things.

"I think it's huge. But obviously you gotta change it up every now and then. You just can't keep running the same stuff because obviously you'll get beat schematically. I think we're doing a pretty good job of changing things up and everybody trusting each other."

The Bears, ranked No. 2 in rushing offense and No. 4 in total offense, figure to test that trust this Sunday in Chicago, particularly if they opt to delve into the bag of tricks and gadget plays they've put on tape this season. Head coach Ben Johnson earned a reputation for his play-calling creativity as the offensive coordinator for the Lions from 2022-24.

"We just gotta do our job," Queen emphasized. "Just understand when wild things happen, just keep your composure and do your job and get to the ball. Everything that happens on the offensive side from their schematics is to try to throw you off your rhythm, throw you off your game.

"For us it's just going out there and being detailed in our work and just getting to the ball and playing fast."

Quarterback Caleb Williams' escapability in the pocket also has the Steelers' attention. Williams is more likely to scramble to extend a play rather than to run, but he's also rushed for 272 yards, averaged 5.2 yards per carry and rushed for three touchdowns this season.

"When you got a guy like that, kind of like a little magician back there, being able to get out of tough jams and got a hell of an arm, you definitely gotta respect a guy like that," Queen assessed. "Even with him being young, he plays at a high level in the league.

"It's just really about us, though. We just gotta do our stuff, execute at a high level, trust the guys that are up front to do their job and us on the back end giving those guys a chance to get back there."

-- Blog entry by Mike Prisuta

Bringing you the action:For fans who don't want to miss any of the action, NFL+ is here, which means you can now watch the Steelers live and on the go! Watch live local and primetime regular season games on mobile, plus NFL RedZone, NFL Network, live audio and more - all in one place.

**Sign up today**.

Wednesday, November 19

Nailing it down:Aaron Rodgers said on Wednesday that he is hoping to 'get back on the field' on Thursday to see how he can function with his left wrist injury.

At the same time, quarterback Mason Rudolph said his mindset is to be ready if he is called upon.

Either way, receiver DK Metcalf will be prepared.

Metcalf said there are some subtle changes working with the two quarterbacks, but he doesn't think it's an issue at all.

"I think the only difference is the communication throughout the week," said Metcalf. "I know they're two different quarterbacks. They like certain routes run different ways. So just nailing that down, just how they want the routes run."

Metcalf said he thought Rudolph handled coming into the Bengals game in the second half, after Rodgers left with the wrist injury, like a true pro.

"I think it's just you've got to be ready for whoever's back there at quarterback at all times," said Metcalf. "He came in, commanded the huddle nicely. Everybody was listening to him, and he stepped in and did a good job."

Like everyone, Metcalf doesn't know what will happen at the quarterback position on Sunday. What he does know, though, is Rodgers also has the right approach this week.

"Just talking to him, I think his head is in the right place," said Metcalf. "He's going to do everything he can get back on the field as fast as possible."

And whoever is at quarterback, Metcalf is hoping they can have lengthy drives like they did in the second half against the Bengals.

"We converted on third down and we were able to stay in third and manageable," said Metcalf. "I know Darnell (Washington) converted a big third and seventeen, on his own being the type of football player he is. So, being able to sustain drives to where we could end up in the red zone and put up points on the board.

"Just executing the play that's called. The defense can't stop all 11 of us if we're clicking, so just executing the play that is called."

Operating normally:The Steelers are not sure at this point in the week who will be starting at quarterback on Sunday against the Chicago Bears, but there is one thing center Zach Frazier knows.

He will approach the game the same no matter who it is.

"I feel like I always operate the same, no matter who's back there," said Frazier. "I don't think it's a big difference for me from a communication standpoint and stuff like that."

The team might not know until as late as Friday if it will be starter Aaron Rodgers, who has a broken bone in his left wrist, or Mason Rudolph who will be at the helm at Soldier Field on Sunday.

Either way, they will be prepared.

"I feel confident in both guys," said Frazier. "Mason, obviously we got a ton of reps over the summer. Actually, all of OTAs I got reps with Mason and I'm very confident in him. And then obviously, all the work with Aaron this year.

"So, whoever's out there we would feel confident that they can go out there and help us win the game."

Frazier said he never has snapped to a quarterback who has dealt with a wrist injury like this, but time will tell.

"I guess we'll find out," said Frazier. "But I assume if he's good enough to play, I'm sure that he'll be good enough to take a snap. I don't think there'd be any difference in the snap if he's good to go."

With Rodgers not signed this year until the team's mandatory minicamp, it was Rudolph who worked with the first team offense throughout the spring.

And it could pay dividends now.

"It's huge because we developed a relationship over the summer," said Frazier. "Just reps and snaps, and I feel confident with Mason."

Frazier was impressed with Rudolph's demeanor when he did step in against the Bengals in the second half last week, knowing the way Rudolph approaches each week would pay off.

"You could tell he was prepared," said Frazier. "He prepares every week. So, when he was in the huddle, he was confident and led us that second half.

"He's a confident guy. He goes out there and he's a great leader of the offense. We all have faith in Mason, and we've seen it on the field."

Staying with Slay:Coach Mike Tomlin said on Tuesday he expects cornerback Darius Slay to return this week after missing the Bengals game while in the concussion protocol. Slay was a full participant in practice on Wednesday, while still listed on the injury report with the concussion.

In Slay's absence in the Bengals game, as well as part of the Chargers game, cornerback James Pierre stepped up to the plate.

Pierre recovered a fumble against the Bengals and returned it 34 yards for a touchdown. He also had six tackles and two passes defensed, and also kept receivers Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase in check when the Bengals threw his way.

Pierre is expected to continue to see playing time, but if Slay is healthy this week, he will return to his starting spot.

"He steps back in and plays," said Coach Mike Tomlin on Slay. "We're certainly going to continue to play James. He's deserving of that, but if healthy, Slay is going to play."

That isn't a reflection of any dissatisfaction with Pierre though.

"He's done a nice job, but again, usually when you're a backup, you get targets, and so when you get targets, you generally get breakups," said Tomlin.

"We have not been displeased with his efforts. We've been quite pleased with his efforts. We're certainly interested in continuing to use him as we move forward."

Taking the next step:Former Steelers defensive lineman L.C. Greenwood is one of nine semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 in the Seniors category.

Greenwood was drafted by the Steelers in the 10th round of the 1969 NFL Draft, the 238th overall pick out of Arkansas AM&N.

He went on to play 13 seasons for the Steelers, becoming a starter his third season, and was a key part of the Steelers four Super Bowl championships in the 1970s.

Greenwood was a member of the Steel Curtain defense, along with Joe Greene, Dwight White and Ernie Holmes, that dominated opposing offenses.

In Greenwood's first year as a starter in 1971 he had five fumble recoveries. He led the Steelers in sacks with 8.5 in 1973, following by a career-high 11 sacks in 1974, both which were 14-game seasons. He finished his career with 73.5 sacks.

He was a two-time first team Associated Press All-Pro selection (1974, 1975) and a six-time Pro Bowl selection (1973-76, 1978-79). He was also a member of the Steelers All-Time Team, the NFL 1970s All-Decade Team and was a member of the inaugural Steelers Hall of Honor Class of 2017.

First time should be a charm:Within the next few weeks, the Pro Football Hall of Fame is expected to announce Modern Era Semifinalists for the Class of 2026, with multiple Steelers still in the running.

One of them is center Maurkice Pouncey.

Pouncey, who is in his first year of eligibility and a member of the Steelers Hall of Honor Class of 2025, was selected by the Steelers in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft, the 18th overall pick. Shortly after Pouncey arrived at Saint Vincent College for his rookie training camp, he earned the starting job, and he held it from that day until he decided to end his NFL career.

"When I think of Maurkice Pouncey, I try not to get emotional because of how much he means to me," said former quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, also a member of the Hall of Honor Class of 2025. "No quarterback, no good quarterback can ever be successful without a great center. You look at (Terry) Bradshaw and (Mike) Webster and it goes down the list of all the greats that have had partnerships together. And that's what we were. We were a great team. And that line up front just revolved around him. He was the centerpiece of the wheel that went as an offensive line. I voted him as MVP every year because as a quarterback it just wasn't the same without him out there. I hated it when he couldn't practice because I didn't have my comfort blanket.

"He was a guy that just gave everything to this team, to me, to protecting me. And he put the work in, in the classroom. It was very evident. That guy was so smart. He could make every call, every change. It was like we were on the same page. Every time he would make a call, I was with him. If I made a call, we knew what each other were thinking."

In his rookie season, Pouncey would stabilize a position previously held by journeymen Sean Mahan and Justin Hartwig for a team that went on to reach Super Bowl XLV. Pouncey was unable to play in the Super Bowl after injuring an ankle in the AFC Championship Game victory over the New York Jets. He won the Joe Greene Great Performance Award that season, given annually to the team's Rookie of the Year by the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America, becoming the first offensive lineman to win it since 2000.

"When you look at Maurkice Pouncey, I don't think there's any question that he is a Hall of Fame center," said Hall of Fame Coach Bill Cowher. "His ability to do what he did at a very high level for an extended period of time. The high elite offenses that he played on. He was in a long lineage of great centers with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Going back from Mike Webster, Dermontti Dawson, Jeff Hartings. Maurkice Pouncey once again proves that he is a legacy in the making. He's a guy that belongs in the Hall of Fame, no question about it. Not only what he did at a high level, but he did it for a long period of time on a very, very good offense. Maurkice Pouncey belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame."

Pouncey didn't need much time to establish himself as a starter in the NFL, and he quickly built on his growing resume. He became the first center in NFL history to be selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first three seasons (2010-12) and went on to be a nine-time Pro Bowl selection. He was twice voted first-team Associated Press All-Pro (2011, 2014) and was a second-team AP All-Pro selection three times (2010, 2012 and 2018).

Pouncey was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame's All-Decade team for the 2010s, an honor Steelers Hall of Fame center Mike Webster earned in the 1970s and 1980s, with a spot on an All-Decade team typically leading to being enshrined in Canton.

Pouncey was a steady leader on offense, someone who guided the younger players while still showing a shining example for even the most seasoned veterans. It was that leadership that had his teammates select him as an offensive team captain four times (2013, 2018, 2019 and 2020).

"That guy is a high energy, high effort, super smart football player," said Roethlisberger. "And I just don't think I've ever seen a lineman, especially a center like him. And that's why he deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.

"He's one of the best to ever do it. He's a guy that when he was out there, you knew you always had a chance. And for a quarterback to have a guy like that, that you believe in, trust in, and know that everything he does is 110%, Maurkice Pouncey is a Hall of Famer in every way."

Same as it ever was:The Steelers will find the NFL's No. 2 rushing offense waiting for them in Chicago, but stopping the run won't be any more of a point of emphasis against the Bears than it was last Sunday against the Bengals, or anyone else.

"I've kinda learned throughout my year-and-a-half stint so far, if you don't do what you're supposed to any team in the NFL can run for 200, 250 yards," inside linebacker Payton Wilson observed. "People have to be gap-sound. Every running back you face is really good. All O-linemen are really good in the NFL.

"If the defense isn't gap-sound and executing anybody can go for a hell of a day."

The statistics confirm Wilson's theory. Taylor led the NFL with 850 rushing yards and was averaging 5.9 yards per carry when the Steelers hosted the Colts on Nov. 2 but was held to 45 yards on 14 carries (3.2 per attempt) in a 27-20 Steelers' victory.

And the Bengals ranked last in the NFL in rushing prior to visiting the Steelers last Sunday, but running back Chase Brown registered 99 yards on the ground on 18 carries (a 5.5 average) in the Steelers' 34-12 win. Brown had amassed 108 yards on 11 carries (a 9.8 average) in his first crack at the Steelers' defense, a 33-31 Bengals victory on Oct. 16 in Cincinnati.

The Bears have a reputation for trick plays as well as a punishing ground game. Quarterback Caleb Williams has a touchdown reception this season and a two-catch game on his 2025 resume. Wide receiver D.J. Moore and tight end Cole Kmet have thrown passes.

The key against an offense trying to color outside the lines, Wilson maintained, is to be "assignment-sound.

"If you play your assignment and you don't get nosy, those plays don't tend to work," he continued. "You usually see a lot of those plays happening when a 'contain' doesn't contain or a guy's 'man' in coverage and he loses eyes. If you're just assignment-sound, and obviously we know that's somewhat their identity so we have to be even more so than normal. if you're assignment-sound I feel like you shut down a lot of that stuff."

The Steelers' defense was assignment-sound enough against the Bengals to hold Cincinnati to 297 total net years last Sunday, the second-lowest total permitted by the Steelers this season (the Browns gained 248 total net yards in a 23-9 Steelers' victory on Oct. 12).

The 314 total net yards gained by the Chargers on Nov. 9 (a 25-10 loss) is the third-lowest total against the Steelers this season and the 368 gained by the Colts the fourth-best effort by the Steelers' defense in that category. The perception on defense is it's starting to come together.

"Yeah, definitely," Wilson said. "The beginning of the year sucked, obviously, but each game we're continuing to get better. Like 'Coach T.' (head coach Mike Tomlin) says, there's a lot on that bone still. There's some plays that are left out there, some plays we should make. But each week it looks like we're getting better. We just have to continue to build on that."

-- Blog entry by Mike Prisuta

Bringing you the action:For fans who don't want to miss any of the action, NFL+ is here, which means you can now watch the Steelers live and on the go! Watch live local and primetime regular season games on mobile, plus NFL RedZone, NFL Network, live audio and more - all in one place.

**Sign up today**.