Danny Trevathan gets a pick six
The Pittsburgh Steelers use the NFL’s version of the spray-and-pray technique; Big Ben keeps chucking the ball down the field, and the Steelers hope Antonio Brown or Martavis Bryant come down with the catch, which they do more often than not.
But against this Denver defense, they may have to alter their mentality.
There’s one thing that’s absolutely crucial to a vertical passing attack: Time. If the Steelers’ offensive line can’t give Big Ben the time he needs to find Brown and Bryant open down the field, they can’t go down the field. It’s that simple.
And when you’re facing this Broncos pass rush, time is something you’re rarely given. Between Von Miller, DeMarcus Ware, Shane Ray, Shaquil Barrett, Derek Wolfe, Malik Jackson and whatever other member of the Broncos defense Wade Phillips decides to send on a blitz, I have no doubt Denver will be able to get to the quarterback, quickly.
That means that Big Ben is going to have to often resort to a shorter passing attack, which means a heavy dose of DeAngelo Williams and Heath Miller. In that scenario, Danny Trevathan will be forced into coverage duties, a skill he is most adept at.
In just his two full seasons as a starter (not including his injury-riddled 2014 campaign), Trevathan has five interceptions from the linebacker position, including the one he returned for a touchdown two weeks ago.
Philip Rivers wanted to throw it to Antonio Gates.
Danny Trevathan had other ideas.
Pick-Six! #DENvsSD https://t.co/SHINqs28x4— NFL (@NFL) December 6, 2015
Pro Football Focus has Trevathan graded as their eight-best coverage linebacker, and he’ll prove it this weekend with the second pick-six of his career.
