With the third quarter of the Pittsburgh Steelers 2015 season now behind us, it’s time for us to hand out some awards to players for their play in the last four games. After already handing out our offensive awards for the third quarter of the season, we’ll now address the defensive side of the football.
Defensive MVP – Lawrence Timmons – Steelers inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons not only registered 30 total tackles over the course of the last four games, 10 of them were classified as finishing in unsuccessful plays. He also registered a sack and a pass defensed during that span.
Defensive MVP Honorable Mention – Mike Mitchell – Steelers veteran safety Mike Mitchell continues to play well in his second season in Pittsburgh. Over the course of the last four games he’s recorded 20 total tackles, 2 defensed passes and an interception in the end zone that killed a deep drive by the Cleveland Browns. Mitchell also forced a fumble in the game against the Oakland Raiders.
Biggest Disappointment – Antwon Blake – In three of the Steelers last four games, it’s been more than evident that cornerback Antwon Blake hasn’t been on top of his game this season. In addition to being beat a few times in coverage, Blake missed several tackles that included several poor efforts. In the game against the Seattle Seahawks, Blake effectively gave up the final touchdown on a 3rd and 10 play that put it out of reach for good.
Biggest Improvement – Brandon Boykin – Even though cornerback Brandon Boykin only really saw action in just one game during the third quarter of the season, he showed that he belongs on the field for the remainder of the season. Against the Indianapolis Colts he recorded his first interception of the season to go along with a defensed pass later in the game. While they weren’t defensive plays, Boykin also recorded 2 special teams tackles during the third quarter of the season.
Surprising Stat – James Harrison – Sunday night against the Colts outside linebacker James Harrison became just the 3rd Steelers player to record three sacks in any one quarter of a game since sacks became official 1982.
If you missed the first quarter of the season defensive awards, you can read them right here.
