Steelers Now
PITTSBURGH — Through five weeks, the Pittsburgh Steelers are second in the NFL in turnover differential at +7. Getting after the quarterback and forcing turnovers are always a point of emphasis for Mike Tomlin’s defensive unit.
The Steelers defense forced two turnovers and had six sacks in their Week 4 win over the Minnesota Vikings. In their Week 3 win over New England, the defense forced a whopping five turnovers and five sacks against the Patriots.
T.J. Watt and company are hoping to have their third straight game of dominance on Sunday. Watt was wearing a black and gold shirt that said “THE CULTURE TAKEAWAYS” during his media availability on Friday.
“That would be awesome to get takeaways like that and sacks and the splash (plays) that we were able to have,” Watt said on Friday at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. “But it’s obviously tough to do each and every week.
“It starts with fundamentals of everybody doing their job, stopping the run, being able to create those turnovers and pin our ears back in those situations. It’s much easier said than done. It’s much easier said than done.”
The Cleveland Browns have eight giveaways this season, tied for fourth-most in the NFL. Rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel will make his second career start on Sunday. He’ll present a certain challenge that Watt has never faced.
“This will be the first lefty quarterback I’ve ever played in my life,” Watt said “It’s interesting. We don’t have a scout lefty either, so it’ll be different on game day. But like I said, he can boot leg both ways, we’ve seen it. It’ll be interesting to do. I’ve never done it before, but he’s very capable.”
Gabriel, who stands at 5-foot-11, was a Heisman Trophy finalist and the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year last season. Gabriel is also the FBS’ all-time leader in total touchdowns (189) and shares the record for most career passing touchdowns (155) with former Houston Cougars passer Case Keenum.
With the Oregon Ducks, Gabriel completed 72.9% of his passes — the third-best rate in the nation — for 3,857 yards and 30 touchdowns, both of which at least tying career-highs.
“Clearly the pocket gets moved and he understands how to find those passing lanes,” Watt said when asked about Gabriel’s 5-foot-11 stature. “I like to think that we’re a very ball-conscious group when we’re rushing the passer. I don’t think that’ll change depending on the quarterback.”
Brendan Howe provided reporting from Pittsburgh.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: T.J. Watt Explains Steelers’ Takeaway Culture
