Don’t look now, but the Cowboys offense seems to be getting into a bit of a rhythm. After scoring 19 points in the fourth quarter against the Ravens, the offense took another step forward against the Giants, most notably with Dak Prescott posting a sky high completion rate and the running backs finally showing some signs of life. But they’ll face a tough defense this week in Pittsburgh.

The Steelers have been known for their defense for several decades now, the Steel Curtain enduring as one of the most well-known nicknames in football. Head coach Mike Tomlin is a defensive minded coach himself, and he’s had a steady hand in keeping the defense elite ever since legendary defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau stepped down following the 2014 season. LeBeau’s replacement, Keith Butler, also retired after the 2021 season, leading to the promotion of current coordinator Teryl Austin.

Austin is a seasoned coaching veteran and Pittsburgh native. He attended the University of Pittsburgh as a defensive back and began his coaching career at Penn State. His first full-time coaching job came as the defensive backs coach at Wake Forest under then head coach Jim Caldwell. Nearly two decades later, after Austin had enjoyed several stints in the NFL, he reunited with Caldwell in Baltimore; Austin was coaching defensive backs while Caldwell ran the Ravens offense.

Caldwell parlayed his success in Baltimore into his second NFL head coaching job, taking over the Lions. In turn, he tabbed Austin as his defensive coordinator. Austin very quickly became a hot head coach candidate, as his defenses shined with star players like Ndamukong Suh, Ezekiel Ansah, and Darius Slay. Austin never landed a job, though, and he was on his way out when Caldwell was fired after the 2017 season. Austin then went to the Bengals, replacing current Cowboys run game coordinator Paul Guenther, though he would be fired nine games into what became Marvin Lewis’ final season as the head coach.

Austin then joined the Steelers as a senior defensive assistant, working alongside Tomlin and Butler before being elevated to the top role. Austin’s ascendance did not bring with it a litany of changes, but rather he was promoted because of the continuity he offered. Like Tomlin, Austin hails from a similar school of defensive football that prioritizes fundamentals over scheme.

As such, the Steelers are not a very blitz heavy team. In fact, only six defenses are blitzing at a lower rate than Pittsburgh so far this season. Tomlin and Austin prefer their pass rush get home with just four, instead dropping the remaining seven defenders back into coverage to clog passing lanes. The Steelers tend to use a lot of two-deep safety shells, though Austin has proven adept throughout his career at disguising coverages prior to the snap. They primarily use zone coverage, though Austin has shown a good sense of when to switch things up.

There’s not much that’s been groundbreaking about Austin’s tenure as defensive coordinator, though he’s succeeded in keeping the Steelers right near the top of defensive production. They’ve ranked in the top 12 of the league in defensive DVOA both years he’s been in charge, and Pittsburgh is currently seventh.

Of course, it helps that the Steelers have a handful of superstars on that side of the ball, highlighted by T.J. Watt. The 2021 Defensive Player of the Year makes things much easier for Austin, especially with how much attention opposing offenses have to show him. That’s allowed for the Steelers’ rotation of edge rushers opposite Watt – Nick Herbig and Alex Highsmith – to get some easy wins in the pass rush. Veteran defensive tackle Cameron Heyward has also remained reliable, leading the team in both sacks and pressures.

While the pass rush has been solid as ever this year – Pittsburgh is seventh in both pressure and sack rate – their run defense has stolen the show. Only the Ravens and Vikings are giving up fewer rushing yards per game, and they have the ninth-highest rate of stuffed run plays. Pittsburgh largely accomplishes this by loading up the box, doing so at the fourth-highest rate in the league.

That can be a risky proposition against high-powered passing attacks, but the quarterbacks this defense has faced thus far are Kirk Cousins (in his first game back from an Achilles tear), Bo Nix, Justin Herbert (playing with a high ankle sprain), and the combination of Anthony Richardson and Joe Flacco this past week. So that’s three quarterbacks not at full health and a rookie making just his second career start.

It would be safe to say that Dak Prescott is the best quarterback this defense has faced in 2024, and even safer to say CeeDee Lamb is the most dangerous skill player they’ve faced. That could make Austin rethink his plans of loading the box to stop the run, especially considering Dallas leads the league in pass play rate.

Another thing to consider: Prescott has thrown more passes into tight windows than any other quarterback, with 27.5% of his attempts going into a tight window. Only one Steelers defensive back has forced a tight window throw at or above that rate. In layman’s terms, the Steelers are giving up some fairly easy receptions, though they do a good job of wrapping up shortly after the catch. Prescott has been completing passes even with nothing open, and his offense ranks seventh in yards after the catch.

This won’t be an easy game for the Cowboys by any stretch. Watt facing off against Tyler Guyton is far from ideal, for starters, and this defense is extremely disciplined and assignment-sound. However, there are some holes that can be exploited by Prescott and Lamb, provided they have the time to find those holes. That’s easier said than done, but there is a roadmap to success against this unit. Whether or not they can follow that roadmap will speak to the overall focus and preparation of this roster and coaching staff.

Part 1 of a pre-New England game Miami Dolphins On SI mailbag:

From Reza Hariri (@therealrezpect1):

I have to admit I was wrong thinking on paper we were better than last year. Big mistakes made letting young players like B Jones walk and signing older players with higher risk of injury. We don’t put value in trenches or keeping our own, we prefer older players on down slope.

Hey Reza, not sure what the question is, but I’m not sure you’re totally wrong with where you’re going. In the example of Brandon Jones, one certainly could question not re-signing him, though he got himself a pretty good contract from the Denver Broncos relative to what he’d accomplished in his career.

From Kelli Xylon (@KelliXylon):

What are the odds that McDaniel actually revamps the offense to be more conservative, marching down the field and throwing more short passes in the middle of the field with the hope of YAC?

Hey Kelli, there’s a problem with your question because this is what the Dolphins have been all season. In the advanced stat category of intended air yards per attempt, Tua Tagovailoa actually is dead last among all quarterbacks this season. The two long passes to Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle in the opener skewed things a bit, but this has been a very short passing offense all season.

From Jason Kirkland (@1bigdad424):

Hi Alain, IMO the offensive struggles start with the o-line, specifically IOL. Nobody is coming to save the day at this point. I think Miami struggles wo win 6 games. If that’s the case, would it be better to sit Tua for the season?

Hey Jason, there is no reason to sit Tua if he’s cleared and wants to play until the team is mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. Outside of that, what’s the point? You compete.

From Chris Roney (@ChrisRoney0):

Given the number of injuries to NE’s offensive line, any chance Anthony Weaver leaves Fuller and Ramsey 1:1 a lot and sends more blitzes than usual to help give the offense short fields to work with?

Hey Chris, it’s not just the bad New England offensive line, they also don’t have any receivers who really create fear. Plus Jacoby Brissett isn’t mobile. But New England isn’t going to hurt Miami throwing the ball in this game; it’s all about stopping the run game for the Dolphins defense.

From EJ Barro (@ernestbarro):

Ça va, Poupe, Is it remotely realistic McDaniel would be able to tailor his offense down to the Dirty Dozen level..?

Hey EJ, I’m going to have to bow my head in shame here and say I don’t get the reference.

From Another Tweeter User (@gefer69):

Alain, What are the chances of this team having a respectable season once Tua and others gradually come back from injury? Is there still a path to a wild card spot. I know this is wishful thinking, but stranger things have happened…

Hey ATU, we’re not even a fourth of the way through the season, so this notion that it’s a lost season is a little ridiculous to me. The first order of business before we start thinking playoffs, though, is for the offense to start becoming, at the very least, functional.

From Common Reader (@SnackService1):

Worst financial maneuver: Tua’s extension, T. Hill’s extension, Ramsey’s extension, or the out-of-market fin fan who coughed up four bills for Sunday Ticket?

Hey CR, let me first point out that Hill’s contract involved a restructuring and not an extension, though I get your point. I’ll just say the fin fan might have made the wisest financial decision based on the circumstances involved.

From Jorge Boyd (@raga1922):

Hi Alain do you think the QB situation will have change in just one week?

Hey Jorge, if by “change” you mean that Huntley will play better, yes, I would think that would happen, though I wouldn’t expect a 300-yard outing.

From Mark Lever (@MarkFinsfan):

When is Tua coming back?

Hey Mark, nobody knows and that might even include Tua. All we know is that all the signs appear to be positive at this point and he’s eligible to play again starting Week 8 against the Arizona Cardinals. Beyond that, it’s pure speculation and I don’t want or need to go there. What we do know is the NFL will not get involved in the decision.

From BarkingDog (@BarkingDoge):

Alain, thanks for the mailbag on the SI site. My question is about Skylar Thompson. I don’t think he has been given fair treatment from the fans. If he didn’t get banged up against the Seahawks on the road, would he have been given more chances as starting QB with Tua on IR?

I have to think he would have been given another shot because giving him only one game would be an admission that they completely botched the QB spot in the offseason by not bringing in somebody better (and it sure looked that way after the Seattle game). And they also kept him as their No. 2 QB for a reason.

From Spooky Seany (@FloridaFloGrown):

Has the Dolphins front office emphasis on being *small* since Tony Sparano was fired hurt them?

This particular decision-making group isn’t about being “small,” it’s about being “fast.” That’s not the same thing. But it’s certainly a fact that you do need a certain amount of physicality and the Dolphins — pun intended — often come up short in that department.

From Roger Dodger (@RogerDolfan):

What is your best reason(s) to keep or kick Chris Grier to the curb?

Hey Roger, it’s not my decision to make, but the fact the Dolphins haven’t won a playoff game during his tenure as GM is not good and missing the playoffs this year — four years after having five picks in the first two rounds, followed by four the next year — would also not be good.

From Brian Z (via email):

I had thought this would have to be our year to compete for a Super Bowl.  Aging veterans. Injury-prone players. Free agents leaving. Salary cap issues next year.  Tua (was at the time) on his 5th year. Now a lot of air has left that balloon. However, not all the air has left. There are a lot of teams that were thought to be strong that have not done well. The Bills have been knocked down a peg. The Pats have shown they cannot compete. The Jets have shown cracks. Therefore, the Dolphins still have a slim chance. The AFC East crown is still doable. IMO, they need a new QB today (not necessarily a replacement for Tua, but a bridge QB that can run this offense) make that happen, or to even compete for a wild-card spot.  If you were the Phins GM starting today, would you agree? If you agree, what QB would you bring in to save the season? I would at least reach out to Jimmy G/Rams, Russell/Steelers, Bryce/Panthers. Even Ryan Tannehill. Even Fitzmagic. Or even the much-hated Tom Brady. His urge to play for 1 more chance at a Super Bowl may be stronger than we know, and even though he makes 50 mil broadcasting, the urge to play again may be stronger. 

Hey Brian, I don’t necessarily disagree with anything you said, even with the idea of making a phone call to bring up a QB better suited to run this offense than the current backups. But there’s only one name on your list who would do the trick for me, and that’s Jimmy G. The question then would be whether the Rams would be willing to trade him and what the cost would be.

From Luis Angulo (via email):

Alain, great job as always, I enjoy your objective journalism and podcasts, thank you for giving a voice to the fans.  Having said that, I feel like our “genius” coach has been finally exposed, it was a lot of fluff, smoke and mirrors, and not a lot of substance. Our “franchise” QB is made out of glass and let’s not forget that he threw 3 interceptions before he left the game against the Bills, so it’s not like he was killing it out there. In the last 8 games Tua played, the Dolphins have been mediocre at best. We tanked so we could get draft picks and once we did, Grier decided not to re-sign the ones and trade for expensive players and pay them instead of the home-grown talent. I know you don’t shy away from the tough questions so here it goes: If you were given the reins of the Dolphins would you A) Fired Grier at the end of the season after seeing how poorly constructed this roster is, B) Draft a QB with your top 5 pick and C) Fire M&M (He doesn’t make in-game adjustments, play calling is terrible, undisciplined team, and team looks gassed; Camp Mike to thank for that) and maybe get an experienced coach like Mike Vrabel who clearly outcoached M&M last year.  Thank you again and eager to hear your thoughts. 

Hey Luis, no, I don’t usually shy away from tough questions, but I’m also not necessarily big on calling for people’s jobs, either. What I will say is that the Dolphins absolutely must get themselves a quarterback next year who can get the job done, though not necessarily a top 5 pick (because I’m not sure the Dolphins will be drafted that high) but a good, solid veteran. I don’t like everything that McDaniel does, but let’s see the rest of the season playing out before we judge him too harshly, though I do think Mike Vrabel is a great coach. The nucleus the Dolphins have built on offense, though, doesn’t mesh with his physical, play-action preference. As for Grier, again, if the Dolphins crash and burn, then it should be fair game to question his job security, but it’s not my team.

Atlanta Falcons safety Justin Simmons stood in front of his locker on the left side of the room, sporting a mint green suit in the aftermath of Atlanta’s thrilling 36-30 overtime victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Simmons was a part of a rocky defensive effort, but one that proved good enough to vault the Falcons into an early-season lead in the NFC South — and that, Simmons said, is all that matters.

“The biggest thing is that win,” Simmons said. “Doesn’t matter if it’s 10-3 or 30-something to 30-something, as long as we win.”

Atlanta’s defense appeared capable of achieving both scoring thresholds Thursday night, which proved to be a tale of two halves.

The Buccaneers had four full drives in the first half and scored on each of them, netting three touchdowns, one field goal and 24 points on the scoreboard. They were averaging nearly nine yards per play.

But the Falcons came out of the locker room with an altered gameplan that led to a more stingy defensive attack. They limited Tampa Bay to just six points and 111 net yards of offense on 26 plays, an average of 4.3 yards per snap.

Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield completed 7-of-9 passes for 49 yards, though a seven-yard sack in the redzone left Tampa Bay with 42 net yards on passing plays in the second half. Atlanta, meanwhile, had 241 yards from quarterback Kirk Cousins.

Tampa Bay rushed 16 times for 69 yards, 43 of which came on six scrambles from Mayfield. The Buccaneers’ running backs, Rachaad White and Bucky Irving, totaled 10 carries for 24 yards and a crucial fumble from Irving that cost Tampa Bay three points and plenty of clock on the penultimate drive.

But how did the Falcons do it? With the same recipe they used the week prior: getting back to their style. After a blitz-heavy first half finished with no further pressure applied, Falcons defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake returned to his bend-but-don’t-break roots, and Tampa Bay struggled completing drives.

“They definitely weren’t playing as aggressive,” Mayfield said. “They weren’t pressuring as much. Kind of dropping back and making us work our way down the field.”

The Buccaneers’ first drive of the second half ended with a punt. Right tackle Justin Skule’s holding penalty put Tampa Bay behind the chains and it failed to recover.

On the next drive, the Buccaneers marched deep into Falcons territory, but defensive tackle David Onyemata sacked Mayfield on 3rd and 3 from inside Atlanta’s 10-yard line. Tampa Bay settled for a field goal.

The draft after, Buccaneers kicker Chase McLaughlin hit a 53-yard field goal as Atlanta’s defense held serve after Tampa Bay crossed midfield.

But after a pair of scoring drives, the Buccaneers’ offense went quiet.

Tampa Bay’s seven-play, 31-yard, clock-chewing series late in the fourth quarter ended with Irving’s fumble. The possession after, the Buccaneers inherited the ball at Atlanta’s 34-yard line, with linebacker Lavonte David intercepting Cousins. Players on both sides said postgame they thought David’s takeaway effectively ended the game.

But the Falcons forced the Buccaneers to punt, as a pair of negative plays to White paired with a holding penalty on center Graham Barton pushed Tampa Bay out of field goal range.

Simmons said Atlanta’s defense merely wanted to give its offense the ball back. It did more than that, keeping the deficit at a field goal and making life significantly easier for Cousins and company.

The Falcons marched into field goal range, and kicker Younghoe Koo made a game-tying 52-yard field goal as time expired. Atlanta won the coin toss in overtime, received the kickoff and scored a walk-off 45-yard touchdown on a pass from Cousins to receiver KhaDarel Hodge.

Tampa Bay never saw the ball again after its punt.

[ Buccaneers ‘Shi–ed Down Our Leg’ in Collapse at Falcons]

White, speaking postgame, gave credit to Lake’s in-game adjustments, along with noting the importance of defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, who made four tackles over the final 30 minutes of regulation.

“I think we were just moving in circles with things,” White said. “They did a good job. Jimmy Lake did a good job. They started stunting and sending some blitzes into the line. They kind of tried to slow it down and that’s what they did. Then Grady Jarrett had a couple good plays.”

Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles wasn’t as generous to Atlanta’s defense and put a significant portion of blame on Tampa Bay’s offense for a lack of execution.

“They made some adjustments, but we missed a lot of plays, too,” Bowles said. “We missed a lot of plays. We can’t play the Bucs and the Falcons.”

Tampa Bay’s box score shows 30 points, 333 net yards and 6.5 yards per play. It had only one turnover, and Mayfield completed 19-of-24 passes.

But the Buccaneers ultimately didn’t do enough to win, in part because of Atlanta’s offense having its most productive game of the season but also due to a strong defensive effort down the stretch.

Falcons head coach Raheem Morris is also pleased with the strides his defense made stopping the run. Tampa Bay totaled 26 carries for 160 yards, but Morris believes context is important.

White sprung a 56-yard run in the second quarter. Mayfield had 42 yards as a scrambler on designed passing plays. On the Buccaneers’ other 19 carries, they rushed for just 62 yards, an average of 3.3 yards per carry.

But White’s big play and an inability to contain the quarterback post-snap can’t simply be removed — and the Falcons know it.

“We didn’t play nearly well enough on defense, myself included,” Simmons said, citing tackling struggles. “But what a game from our offense. Obviously, it’ll always come down to a team win — we did better in the second half defensively — but man, offense, just [a] heck of a job from them.”

Rookie linebacker JD Bertrand, who played 72% of Atlanta’s defensive snaps in his first extended action due to the injury-related absence of starter Troy Andersen, said the Falcons entered Thursday night with two specific goals.

Atlanta wanted to stop Tampa Bay’s rushing attack and eliminate star receiver Mike Evans. The Buccaneers averaged 6.2 yards per carry, and Evans caught five passes for 62 yards and two touchdowns.

But within context, the Falcons’ run defense was serviceable. The same is true for Atlanta’s coverage on Evans, whose biggest play — a 23-yard touchdown grab — came in a one-on-one against backup nickel Antonio Hamilton Sr., who entered the game due to starter Dee Alford’s concussion.

The raw numbers aren’t great. The context is much better. And in Bertrand’s eyes, the most important number — the final score — shows Atlanta’s defense satisfied the goal enough to win.

“Obviously, we’re going to go back there and there’s going to be some plays we want,” Bertrand said. “That’s how it’s always going to be.”

But the Falcons have the luxury of entering their mini-bye week with a victory. Film sessions and resulting corrections were a given. Being able to do them after winning was not.

A key message in Atlanta’s locker room throughout the summer and into the regular season centers around running the NFC South. The Falcons beat the two teams ahead of them in the division at the time of their meetings in the New Orleans Saints and Buccaneers.

In both games, Atlanta struggled in one phase.

Against the Saints, the Falcons failed to score an offensive touchdown. Their defense and special teams each found the endzone while succeeding enough in their own facets to win.

On Thursday night, while Atlanta’s defense had no answer in the first half for the Buccaneers’ offense, Cousins kept the game close — and when the Falcons needed a stop late, their defense delivered. The offense capitalized. The special teams unit tied the game, and the offense won it in overtime.

Atlanta’s next step is playing complementary football for all 60 minutes — but in the meantime, the Falcons are winning, and they’re proving more and more about their intangible makeup in the process.

“We’re finding different ways to win,” Simmons said, “and we’re winning early, so it’s a good confidence builder for us.”