Mathews takes on big role, delivers
The Steelers suffered another injury to a starting defensive lineman Sunday when rookie Javon Hargrave left in the first half to be evaluated for a concussion. Already without defensive end and team captain Cam Heyward, things could have taken a turn for the worse against a Giants offense that was intent on running the ball early in the game.
But any concerns about the lack of depth along the line were put to rest when Ricardo Mathews took on a larger role and helped the Steelers stuff the Giants running game and record his first sack of the season on a critical fourth-down play in the fourth quarter.
“He’s a little bit of a journeyman, but I’m just happy for a guy who gets his first sack,” said Heyward, who is on injured reserve with a pectoral injury. “New faces, new opportunities. When one guy goes out other guys have to step up. Hargrave was doing a good job, but another’s man’s problem is another man’s fortune. When we play defense it doesn’t matter who is in there the defense has to play well.”
And play well it did. Giants quarterback Eli Manning was held to 195 passing yards and a 69.6 quarterback rating. The Steelers effectively turned the Giants into a one-dimensional team by limiting them to 21 rushing yards in the first half when they fell behind, 14-0.
The Giants finished with 56 yards, but running backs Rashad Jennings and Paul Perkins were never factors in the game. It’s been quite a turnaround for a rush defense that struggled mightily in the first half of the season. But since the Steelers surrendered 127 rushing yards to the Cowboys Nov. 13 they’ve given up 180 total rushing yards in their past three games, all victories.
“We’re just staying focused,” defensive end Stephon Tuitt said. “We’re not paying attention to outside noise. We’re paying attention to what we can do great. Every time we play we try to be better than we were the last week. We’re showing that, and it has to continue to be that way. We’re playing team football right now, both sides of the ball, and that’s going to take us a long way.”
The Steelers have put forth three very good performances by their rush defense without Heyward, their best defensive lineman. Despite being placed on reserve, Heyward remains around the team on a daily basis and he has seen some big growth from players such as Mathews in recent weeks.
“Guys are being more sound,” Heyward said. “I think we understood after those losses that it’s a very fine line when it comes to execution. I just think guys are playing better. They’re understanding how big their role is and what their role means. When they do their job, we’re successful. When they don’t, it hurts us.”
Coach Mike Tomlin did not have an update on Hargrave after the game and said his status for next week’s game against Buffalo won’t be determined until later in the week. If he can’t play against the Bills it’s going to be another stiff test for the thinning line. LeSean McCoy and the Bills are second in the NFL in rushing yards.
“Rico played good football today,” Tuitt said. “I went to Hargrave’s spot and Rico substituted for me. It’s unfortunate Javon went down, but we had to move on and win the football game.”