Steelers Now
A former Super Bowl champion believes the Pittsburgh Steelers defense is no longer a feared unit.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been known for playing an elite level of defense for many years, but that has been far from the case this season.
In fact, former Super Bowl champion A.Q. Shipley believes the unit has played so poorly that it should now have a new nickname.
“I think you have to be able to stop the run, and I think the standard has always been set in Pittsburgh,” Shipley said on the Pat McAfee Show. “You have to stop the run. You have to get off a block. You have to play Steelers defense, which is the Steel Curtain, not Silky Curtain, if you get what I’m saying here.”
"The Pittsburgh Steelers can't stop the run..
This isn't the Steel Curtain it's the Silk Curtain"@aqshipley #PMSLive https://t.co/kWtWYtew5B pic.twitter.com/qp2SYte7Ak
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 3, 2025
The Steelers have been struggling on both sides of the ball during their recent slide of losing five of their last seven games. However, Pittsburgh’s defense is playing at an historically bad level.
During the team’s latest loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 13, the defense allowed 249 yards rushing, which was the most at Pittsburgh by an opposing team since 1975 (Buffalo – 310 yards on 9/28/75).
“I’ve never seen a team run the same play as much as they ran it today and have as much success as they had,” Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt said. “I mean, I’m out of words for it.”
To make matters worse, the Steelers also lost two starters during the game. Linebacker Patrick Queen (hip) and cornerback James Pierre (head injury) both suffered injuries and did not return, putting their statuses up in the air for their Week 14 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.
The Ravens are currently averaging the fifth-most rushing yards per game (136.8) in the league, so it could be another long day for Pittsburgh, especially if Queen and Pierre are sidelined.
The last time these two teams met in the wild-card round of the playoffs last season, running back Derrick Henry rushed for 186 yards and two touchdowns to send the Steelers home.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Super Bowl Champ Blasts Steelers Defense: ‘Silky Curtain’
