Pittsburgh’s Defense Called Game Against Baltimore. There’s Still One Problem.

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense rose up and called game on Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson to close out Sunday’s game. The biggest win of the season. A great final play of Alex Highsmith racing around the edge to sack Jackson, something the Steelers’ front seven hadn’t been able to do all day (cornerback Brandin Echols had the only other sack of the day).

As the team has done so many times before in these contests, Pittsburgh made plays when it meant the most. But I can’t help but have one gripe over how the final drive went. An issue not aimed at the players but the coaches. Yet again, Nick Herbig was left off the field for nearly the entire drive.

In most obvious passing situations, Pittsburgh uses its 3-EDGE package with just one down lineman or, less often, just one inside linebacker. A way to get T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Herbig on the field all at once to maximize the Steelers’ rush.

Despite Baltimore being in the most obvious passing situation of the season, down five on its own 26 with less than two minutes to go and just one timeout, Pittsburgh didn’t use that grouping. Instead, the Steelers went the entire nine-play drive in its traditional 2-4-5 nickel: Alex Highsmith and T.J. Watt at outside linebacker with Cam Heyward and Esezi Otomewo along the d-line.

Baltimore’s no-huddle for much of the drive prevented any substitution. Whatever package Pittsburgh came out with would be one they’d be committing to. And the Steelers chose to sideline Herbig. He played three snaps, replacing Highsmith at ROLB. One of them was a spike.

Pittsburgh chose to play Otomewo and Yahya Black along the d-line instead. And credit to Otomewo. His stunt on Highsmith’s sack played a key role, freeing up Cam Heyward to get interior pressure on Jackson that helped flush him wide for Highsmith to round the corner and take him down. Black played a solid game overall.

But the principle must be the same. Get the best players on the field, especially in the biggest moments. The game, the division, and really the season were on the line. And Herbig was largely glued to the sideline. That’s a problem.

Now, the Steelers can say it worked. All’s well that ends well. But I look at process as much as results, and the process missed the mark. It’s hardly a one-off. Failure to get Herbig playing time when Highsmith is healthy has been a recurring issue. That’s no slight on Highsmith. He should’ve been out there, too, just as he was. I’ve been on the other side of the “trade Highsmith” camp that’s swirled throughout the year, and Highsmith was excellent against Baltimore.

But it should’ve been Herbig subbing in for Otomewo and Black. That’s the best 11. Pittsburgh also still refuses to use dime packages, but that’s a separate issue, and the Steelers can at least point to the many DB injuries and changes.

In losses, there’s always reason to look at what went well. And in wins, there’s always reason to examine where further improvement could occur. Herbig again being left off the field in such a significant moment, for seemingly zero explanation or justification, can’t happen again. The next time Pittsburgh gets the chance, Herbig must be given the opportunity to help close the door.