Amid injury issues plaguing the back seven, the Pittsburgh Steelers relied heavily on their simulated pressure packages to maintain sound, zone-coverage structure on the back end in Week 16. In the secondary, Patrick Peterson saw extensive action at safety, often accompanied by Eric Rowe, with contributions from Elijah Riley and longtime special teams ace, Miles Killebrew. While edge depth remains intact, an early injury to Elandon Roberts left the Steelers light at off -ball linebacker, where they were forced to rely on the trio of Mark Robinson, Mykal Walker, and Myles Jack.
Left with a rotating cast of unfamiliar faces on the back end, Mike Tomlin, Teryl Austin and Co.