Steelers' Defense Must Re-Embrace Blitz Identity in 2025 | Where Plans Led to Bad Tendencies in 2024

Christopher Carter of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, hosts the Locked on Steelers podcast. The Pittsburgh Steelers blitzed at the lowest rate by the team over the past six seasons in 2024. Christopher Carter explains why that led to problems and must change in 2025. Mike Tomlin and Teryl Austin's defense was a top ten unit and was good by many measures, but not elite. Chris explains where the decreased blitz rate hurt the Steelers and how the Buffalo Bills' increased blitz rate helped them beat the Baltimore Ravens in the NFL Playoffs. Could there be a lesson in how the Steelers' defense must be more aggressive in the future? Chris looks at more metrics for the Steelers, as well as gives his reactions to the divisional round of the NFL Playoffs as the Kansas City Chiefs are set to play the Bills and the Philadelphia Eagles will host the Washington Commanders. CALL INTO THE SHOW AT 412-223-6644 or if international, e-mail your audio message to LOSTEELERSTOPICBAG@GMAIL.COM Follow Chris Carter on Twitter: @CarterCritiques . Theme music is 'How Can I Lose' by Johnny Quest the Rebel, under his label Renaissance Music. Find more from their label here . This show is part of the Locked on Podcast Network. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Talkspace As a listener of this podcast, you’ll get $80 off your first month with Talkspace when you go to Talkspace.com/LOCKEDONNFL and enter promo code SPACE80. LinkedIn LinkedIn Jobs helps you find the qualified candidates you want to talk to, faster. Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com/LOCKEDONNFL . Terms and conditions apply. PrizePicks Download the app and use code lockedonnfl to win $50 instantly when you play $5. You don't even need to win to receive your $50 bonus, it's guaranteed! Prizepicks. Run Your Game. Click Here: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/LOCKEDONNFL Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNFL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms Apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. FanDuel From the first whistle to the final drive, FanDuel makes the NFL Playoffs even more exciting! Right now, new customers can bet FIVE DOLLARS and get THREE HUNDRED BUCKS in BONUS BETS – if you win your first bet! Visit FANDUEL.COM t o get started. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER : 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.