WHEN STEELERS HAVE THE BALL
Key performers: DT Fletcher Cox, DE Brandon Graham, DE Connor Barwin LB Nigel Bradham, CB Jalen Mills, S Malcolm Jenkins, S Rodney McLeod. Who’s hot or not: The Eagles have a pair of quality safeties with Jenkins and McLeod, but they have some issues at cornerback. Leodis McKelvin (hamstring) was injured in the opener against the Browns and is not expected to play. That means Ron Brooks will start at one corner opposite Nolan Carroll and rookie Jalen Mills, a seventh-round pick, will be the nickel back. Mills, though, got fooled on a double move that resulted in a 47-yard completion to WR Alshon Jeffrey against the Bears.
What’s been working: The front seven is the strength of the Jim Schwartzcoached defense, and the most dominant player is Cox, who typically draws double-teams from the opposition. The Eagles will rotate seven and eight defensive lineman throughout the game, trying to generate pressure on the quarterback. In each of the first two games, they knocked the starter — Robert Griffin III and Jay Cutler — out of the game.
Game plan: The Eagles will try to generate pressure on Roethlisberger to ease the stress on their cornerbacks. They rely on disrupting the quarterback more than they rely on their cornerbacks disrupting pass routes in man coverage. Graham, a 265-pound defensive end, plays more like an outside linebacker in a 3-4. He leads the team with two sacks, three quarterback hurries and three tackles for losses.
Keep an eye on: Bradham (Buffalo) is one of several defensive players who were imported this year because they previously played under Schwartz with a different team. Brooks and backup LB Stephen Tulloch (Lions) are the others. Bradham had an interception and batted pass against the Bears. The Eagles have allowed opponents to convert on third (6 of 20) and fourth downs (0 for 3) just 26 percent of the time, second best in the NFC.