Welcome to the BTSC Pittsburgh Steelers ‘Think Tank’. Here is where there will be a general question asked, and the answer will be hashed out in the comment section below the article. Unlike in the Friday Night Six Pack, and other articles which are banking on fan responses, this is just one topic to discuss.
Today’s ‘Think Tank’ question was something we discussed on our “Steelers Preview” podcast (you can hear it in the player below) just last night, and it had to do with the Steelers ridiculous takeaway trend they are experiencing heading into Week 11.
The Steelers have 26 takeaways on the season, second behind the New England Patriots with 27, and the takeaway has become a large part of their recent success. Players like Minkah Fitzpatrick and Devin Bush have been magnets for the football, and it has given their lethargic offense extra possessions to win games.
But can this trend continue? Or will the takeaway production start to plateau?
Clearly through nine games the production hasn’t tailed off, and it has almost gotten to the point where fans are expecting the big play. Expecting the key turnover to happen at a critical moment in the game.
Are these expectations realistic?
It all ties together with the trends for things like takeaways. Conventional thought is these types of plays come in bunches, and they also come and go. However, there have been teams in recent NFL history who have kept up this pace and not slowed down one bit.
One of the biggest factors with the Steelers keeping their takeaway arrow trending in the right direction would be the fact they get after the quarterback. The Steelers already have registered 33 sacks (3rd in the NFL) and have been harassing opposing quarterbacks into bad decisions and/or fumbles.
So, with all this said, do you thin the Steelers can continue their takeaway trend? Or will it be a flash in the pan and the group will come crashing down to earth? Let us know your thought in the comment section below, and be sure to stay tuned in to BTSC as the Steelers prepare for the Browns on Thursday Night Football in Week 11.