The Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense will have their hands full with one of the league’s best offenses when they go head-to-head against the Chicago Bears in Week 12.
Whether it’s preventing the ever-elusive Caleb Williams from scrambling out of the pocket or limiting the damage Chicago can do with their explosive plays, these three defensive keys will be pivotal to a Steelers’ victory this Sunday.
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Keep a QB-spy on Caleb Williams
Williams has mastered the art of avoiding would-be sacks—elusively escaping defenders to extend plays, which could prove troublesome against Pittsburgh. Chicago’s signal caller won’t hesitate to take off if a play breaks down, which is why the Steelers’ defense needs to have a quarterback spy on him throughout the Week 12 matchup.
Limit chunk plays
There’s arguably no bigger area of concern than the Bears’ league-leading explosive plays rate, especially considering Pittsburgh’s struggles to limit chunk plays defensively. Against one of the NFL’s top offenses, allowing cheap yardage in favor of protecting against splash plays—a bend-but-don’t-break approach—is vital for a victory over Chicago.
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Win turnover battle
The Bears’ top-three rushing offense isn’t the only reason for their impressive 7-3 record, as Chicago also boasts the best turnover margin in the league—an impressive +16 differential compared to the Steelers’ No. 6-ranked +8. Facing a stingy Bears offense that’s limiting mistakes early this season, the Steelers’ defense needs to force turnovers early and often.
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This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers’ defensive keys to victory vs. Bears in Week 12
