Steelers' Keeanu Benton Discusses Adaptable Run Defense During Win Against Ravens

The Pittsburgh Steelers' Week 18, 26-24, win against the Baltimore Ravens was an emotional rollercoaster ride. The Steelers dealt with ups and downs just like they did all season long. The Ravens started out strong, especially with star running back Derrick Henry, who was coming off a big Week 17 performance against the Green Bay Packers, rushing for 216 yards on 36 carries and four touchdowns. Henry carried the ball 15 times for 112 yards in the first half alone against the Steelers on Sunday night.

However, something changed quickly coming out of halftime for the Steelers' defense. The necessary adjustments were made for Pittsburgh, as Henry rushed just five times for 14 yards in the second half. That was a key to the game for the Steelers in their emotional Week 18 win against Baltimore, as things would have turned out different had Henry turned in the performance he did in Green Bay in Week 17. The Steelers did not necessarily stop Henry, but they did contain him, and then forced banged up quarterback Lamar Jackson to be the one to beat them in the second half. 

One Steeler in particular, nose tackle Keeanu Benton, eluded to the team's struggles with the Baltimore rushing attack early on in their AFC North clinching win Sunday night. Benton spoke with reporters on Monday and mentioned some of the looks the Steelers were seeing early on from Baltimore and hinted at how they adjusted to that so Henry did not burn them like he did to Green Bay. 

"Just know what we were seeing. You know, we had ideas coming out what they were doing. They kind of held true to an extent," Benton said. "You know just those nuances and details that we figured out in the first half that we were able to stop in the second half."

The Steelers' shift in attention in the second half certainly played a part in helping them edge out Baltimore in Week 18. Jackson had been riddled with different injuries all throughout the season. While he was able to hit some big plays on the Steelers' defense throughout the game, containing the run and shutting it down in the second half was a big win for the Steelers' defensive unit.

Steelers Must Be Willing To Adjust As They Enter Playoffs

The Steelers made some clear adjustments on both sides of the ball in their Week 18 victory against the Ravens. The offense struggled in the first half, but found a way to put up almost 30 points on the Ravens when the dust settled on Sunday night. The defense made a strong adjustment to Henry considering the stark contrast in numbers in the second half compared to the first. Pittsburgh will need to keep this mindset as they head into their playoff matchup against the Houston Texans, as well as further into the playoffs should they advance.

The Steelers' offensive adjustments were a huge help too, as they went into the half trailing the Ravens 10-3 after failing to punch the ball in during the waning seconds of the first half on a pitch play to running back Kenneth Gainwell. The second half welcomed an explosion compared to the first, as the Steelers scored 23 of their 26 points in half number two. They will receive wide receiver DK Metcalf back off a suspension against Houston, but when it seems that could be a positive, Metcalf may also come out rusty. Should he appear that way, the Steelers will have to be willing to adjust even more.

Do you think the Steelers' willingness to adjust to Derrick Henry helped them earn the win in Week 18? Will that mindset continue into the playoffs? Thoughts on Benton's remarks? Let us know in the comments below!

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