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Cam Heyward Explains How Steelers’ Front Seven Took Over Grudge Match vs. Browns
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- Cam Heyward Explains How Steelers’ Front Seven Took Over Grudge Match vs. Browns
In Week 4, the Pittsburgh Steelers walked off the field after the Cleveland Browns handed them their second loss of the season. Deshaun Watson and the Browns' offense took advantage of multiple mistakes by the Steelers' defense. From busted coverages to missed tackles, it was a brutal performance.
In Week 8, however, the Steelers' defense flipped the script . From the first drive, the Steelers made it clear that Week 4 was nothing more than a bad night. Cleveland had to know right away it was in for a long afternoon, and the Steelers' front seven was the biggest reason. After the game, Cam Heyward explained how the front seven took over .
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"Better extension, better control of gaps, and then just throwing darts at Deshaun. He's electric back there, so you got to have multiple guys back there getting after it," Heyward said.
Steelers' Best Defensive Performance of the Season
Nov 1, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) is sacked by linebacker T.J. Watt (90) and defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) and defensive tackle Kevin Jobity Jr. (92) during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
The Steelers executed their defensive game plan, and it paid dividends. Led by their defensive front, the Steelers held the Browns to 34 rushing yards, recorded 36 pressures, eight sacks and 25 run stuffs, and didn't allow a touchdown . The advanced numbers also show a staggering gap between the Week 4 and Week 8 matchups.
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Steelers' Defensive Performance: Week 4 vs. Week 8
| Defensive Metric |
Week 4 |
Week 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall EPA |
22nd (0.126) |
5th (-0.242) |
| Overall Success Rate |
29th (50.0%) |
11th (43.5%) |
| Dropback EPA |
27th (0.335) |
6th (-0.175) |
| Dropback Success Rate |
29th (59.0%) |
14th (48.1%) |
| Rush EPA |
9th (-0.228) |
1st (-0.483) |
| Rush Success Rate |
13th (34.8%) |
2nd (26.7%) |
Pittsburgh needed to send a message Sunday. National pundits have doubted the Steelers all season. With Cleveland looking like a Cinderella story, Pittsburgh made sure the clock struck midnight. The win set the tone in the race for the division lead, and it might have sent a message to the rest of the NFL.
Steelers' Defense Setting the Tone
Nov 1, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) and safety Jaquan Brisker (3) react during the second quarter of an NFL game against the Cleveland Browns at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
This Pittsburgh team isn't perfect. The defense still has room to improve, and the offense needs to fix its passing game. But the bye week has arrived. With the season roughly halfway over, the once-daunting second-half schedule doesn't look as rigorous as it did before. There are challenges ahead, but this Steelers defense has been setting the tone.
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After the bye, the Steelers travel to Cincinnati for another grudge match. They'll then face the Ravens twice and at least four other playoff contenders, and they'll visit Philadelphia, where they have routinely struggled. If this defense keeps its momentum, though, it will be enough to keep Pittsburgh in the fight until the very end.
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This story was originally published by Athlon on Nov 3, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
