The Pittsburgh Steelers are off to one of their better starts in recent years, sitting at 4-2 and showing balance on both sides of the ball. The offense looks a whole lot more composed when compared to last season, though it’s the defense that is expected to take the world by storm. What’s sparking this resurgence isn’t just the dominance of T.J. Watt but the fact that there’s a young guy like Nick Herbig, a linebacker, whose speed and energy are impossible to ignore.
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The Team’s Outlook and What the Odds Say
With the defense playing this well, Pittsburgh’s chances of making it into the playoffs have noticeably improved. Analysts suspect the team’s success will increase or decrease depending on how Watt and Herbig continue to play. All over the country, oddsmakers have taken note. For example, Nevada sportsbooks offer competitive odds, a wide array of betting markets, and fast withdrawals, setting the benchmark for NFL betting lines that states like New Jersey and Pennsylvania follow. Due to this, their odds take national weight.
Heading into Week 7, the Pittsburgh is around +150 to get to the playoffs. Those numbers may change as this defensive duo continues to play, but the trend already represents increasing confidence in Pittsburgh’s playoff push.
Chris Hoke’s Bold Take
The buzz around Pittsburgh’s defense grew louder when veteran Pittsburgh Steelers defensive Linebacker and Super Bowl winner Chris Hoke made a brazen statement on KDKA. Hoke, who knows elite pass rushing more than most, said that Nick Herbig has outplayed T.J. Watt thus far in the season.
He applauded Herbig for his lightning-fast first step and how fast he beats offensive tackles around the edge. For Hoke to make that claim, and make it about a player like Watt, that’s a great testament to how much Herbig has impressed at an early age.
Watt is still the emotional and tactical leader of the defense, but Herbig’s explosiveness and instincts appear to have added something new. He’s young, fast, and disruptive, and keeps quarterbacks off their game and making poor decisions. While it’s still early to even begin to compare him to Watt, Herbig has had an impact on altering the way teams approach the Steelers’ defense.
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How Herbig’s Emergence Is Reshaping the Defense
Herbig’s speed has become a trademark of the pass rush for the Steelers. He’s beaten double teams, flushed quarterbacks out of the pocket, and made plays to make turnovers by sheer hustle. His influence may not always be reflected in the box score, but it’s been felt every week. For years, Watt was heavily double-covered, making it hard for him to attack at will.
This change in pressure balance is what Pittsburgh’s defense needed. When Watt was hurt or hit hard in seasons past, the pass rush stopped often. With Herbig in the mix, the attack once again feels constant. It’s a one-two combination that reflects the defensive philosophy of the old days of the Pittsburgh Steelers: apply constant pressure until opponents crumble.
A New Era of High-Tech Defense Chemistry
Hoke also pointed out Herbig’s breakout doesn’t take anything away from Watt. Instead, it enhances him. For the first time in a while, Watt doesn’t have to bear it all. Herbig’s rising gives him more one-on-one opportunities, which often result in game-changing plays. The two feed off of each other’s energy, and that chemistry is showing up in every game.
The defense of the Pittsburgh Steelers has always been based on unity. From the days of the Steel Curtain to the Polamalu era, it has been about teamwork. Herbig is a perfect fit in that legacy. His youth and enthusiasm have given new impetus to the group, with everyone playing faster and harder. It’s the type of synergy that characterizes great defenses.
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What It Means in the Context of Pittsburgh’s Push to the Playoffs
This combination of experience and youth may be the key to Pittsburgh’s push for the playoffs. The offense is still finding its rhythm, but the defense is the backbone of the team. Each sack, fumble, and turnover brings them closer to making the playoffs. If Herbig can keep gaining momentum without any injury to Watt, the chances of the Steelers making the playoffs could improve greatly.
When you see a former champion such as Hoke say such nice things about a young man, it is a surefire sign that the Steelers are changing phases. Herbig has gone from promising rookie to legitimate playmaker.
