Steelers Defense Aims for Shutout Against Opponents
Cam Heyward says the Pittsburgh defense wants to keep opponents off the scoreboard completely after holding the Saints to two field goal attempts.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Football
Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward said the defense wants to keep opponents off the scoreboard entirely. The unit has won three consecutive games and held the New Orleans Saints to two field goal attempts on Sunday.
Why it matters
The defense's recent performance has tightened the team's control of games during its winning streak. Its goal of a complete shutout signals a focus on limiting scoring chances across every possession.
Opponents average 6.0 plays and 28.4 yards per drive, ranking 15th and sixth in the NFL, while scoring on nearly 40 percent of drives, 20th in the league. The defense allowed 1.74 points per drive; whether this pace will hold against future opponents remains to be seen.
The players
Cam Heyward
Cam Heyward is a veteran defensive lineman for the Pittsburgh Steelers and a leader of the team's defensive unit.
The details
The defense condensed the field in the high red zone to limit big plays. Payton Wilson intercepted a pass in the red zone during the Saints game, and Pittsburgh held the ball seven times compared with six for New Orleans.
Timeline
Sunday: Steelers held the Saints to two field goal attempts.
Three-game winning streak: defense allowed three touchdowns and 13 scoring possessions.
Season Trajectory
The defense's ranking of sixth in yards allowed per drive while sitting 20th in scoring rate shows a unit that limits movement but still gives up scores. That split will shape how the Steelers approach playoff positioning over the remaining schedule.
The defense's drive-level rankings matter for fantasy and betting decisions, since opponents' scoring rate allowed has been the weaker metric. Tracking whether the unit can convert red zone stops into complete shutouts will indicate how sustainable the winning streak is.
The takeaway
Pittsburgh's defense has limited opponents' yardage and possessions, but its scoring rate allowed remains a concern. Keeping drives short and forcing turnovers in the red zone are the clearest steps toward the shutout the unit is aiming for.
Further reading
For more on the team's recent results, see Football coverage in Pittsburgh.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Steelers Depot.
