The Hidden Stat Boosting Pittsburgh’s Defense

Pittsburgh DefenseThe Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense has been successful for a slew of reason. They can stop the run. They can rush the passer. They can take away the opponent’s top weapon and force offenses to win with Plan B and Plan C. There isn’t much said about this defense that hasn’t already been talked about.

But the one stat missed is admittedly a hidden one. Interception return yards. Pittsburgh is fourth in the NFL with 184 of them and their ability to not just make the splash play but impact the moments after it are key.

Entering Week 15, the Steelers are fourth league-wide in interception return yards with 184. Only the Denver Broncos (409, one-quarter of that thanks to a 100-yard…