The Steelers will break the all-time record for consecutive regular-season games with a sack

The Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing for the 2021 regular season, but before the real games begin, the team has to head to training camp to fine tune their skills. As we here at BTSC prepare you for the start of camp, we give you a series called “30 Scenarios in 30 Days” which gives you a Steelers scenario every day leading up to the start of camp.

It is simple how it works. We provide you the scenario, reasons why it will or won’t happen, and then our prediction for what we think will take place.

Let’s get to the scenario...

Scenario: The Steelers will break the all-time record for consecutive regular-season games with a sack

Consecutive regular-seasons games with at least one sack:

Detroit Lions: 76 (1960-1965)
Pittsburgh Steelers: 73 (2016-2021)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 69 (1999-2003)

Why it will happen: There are many people who think the Steelers have already broken this record, but technically that is not the case. Although they have the longest streak since sacks became an individual statistic in 1982, for some reason many have been dismissing the accomplishments of the Detroit Lions from 1960 to 1965 which included the great Dick LeBeau.

One of the biggest factors in the streak continuing will be the matchups the Steelers have at the beginning of the season. They will need three games to tie the record and four to break it. Opening in Buffalo, the Steelers has never had a regular-season game against the Bills in which they didn’t register a sack. As for facing the Raiders, they have registered a sack in every game but one since 2001. The Steelers haven’t played the Cincinnati Bengals at home in a game where they have not recorded in sack since 1995. The game which would set the Steelers over the top is against the Packers, and the Steelers have registered a sack in every game against Green Bay dating back to 1970.

Why it won’t happen: The Steelers have had a lot of changes in their defense. Outside linebacker Bud Dupree moved on to the Tennessee Titans, and slot cornerback Mike Hilton is now in Cincinnati. Between those two players, 11 sacks from 2020 have disappeared.

Of the four opponents the Steelers face to start the season, history shows it may be the Las Vegas Raiders who could give the Steelers trouble. The last time the Raiders traveled to Pittsburgh, not only did the Steelers lose the game they did not register a sack.

Prediction: I could have listed even more reasons why I believe this streak will continue. The return of Devin Bush will help the Steelers generate more sacks based on the data from 2020 even though Bush himself was not the one getting to the quarterback. Additionally, the Steelers averaged 5.0 sacks a game their first four games of the season in 2020, so starting the season strong in the sack department will hopefully continue in 2021.

Check out yesterday’s ‘30 Scenarios in 30 Days’ prediction:

Be sure to stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news and notes surrounding the black and gold as they prepare for the 2021 regular season.