Steelers' run defense has improved

Nov 23, 2017 - 1:05 AM PITTSBURGH -- Since allowing 231 rushing yards to the Jaguars on Oct. 8, the Pittsburgh Steelers have tightened up against the run.

The past five opponents have rushed for a combined total of 293 yards for an average of 58.7 rushing yards per game.

"Honestly, everyone was really (ticked) off about those two games against the Jaguars and the Bears," said linebacker Ryan Shazier, who noted the 220 yards the Bears gained against the Steelers in the third game of the season. "We've really been tidying up on everything. We're not really trying to let anyone run on us. We're forcing them to be in a situation they don't really want to be in."

The recent five-game streak started against Kansas City's Kareem Hunt, who at the time led the NFL in rushing. The Steelers held Hunt to 21 yards on the ground.

"When we ended up beating the Chiefs that helped us out a lot and built some confidence," Shazier said. "I think everyone understood what we could do. That helped push the movement forward."

The game against the Titans last week was the perfect example of what stopping the run can do for a defense. The Steelers held the Titans to 52 rushing yards and forced Marcus Mariota into obvious passing situations. Mariota threw four interceptions, and the Steelers won the game going away, 40-17.

"You have to be able to stop the run to accomplish some of your goals," defensive end Cameron Heyward said. "We have to be consistent with it. It just can't be a five-game streak of doing it. You have to do it throughout the entire year."