As the NFL season approaches, Andy Benoit is previewing every NFL team in reverse order of last season’s finish. Up today: the Pittsburgh Steelers, who went 13–3 last year and lost to the Jaguars in the divisional round.
1. Before Ryan Shazier went down early in Week 13, the Steelers had one of the NFL’s most dynamic defenses. Its scheme was multifaceted yet crisply defined: On running downs coordinator Keith Butler employed both 4-3 and 3-4 looks with traditional zone coverage. On passing downs he had unique blitzes, often starring breakout corner Mike Hilton from the slot and power linebacker Vince Williams inside.