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Steelers’ Defense Shows PFF Gains Despite 17-0 Loss

8/23/2026

48 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Steelers lost 17-0 to the New York Jets in a preseason game.
Safety DeShon Elliott earned the highest Steelers PFF rating at 93.6 despite the shutout.
Fourteen defensive players graded 70.0+ (up from ten), highlighted by Elandon Roberts’ fourth-and-two tackle.
Safety Rayshawn Jenkins recorded an early tackle for loss.
Coordinator Patrick Graham said blitzing Jenkins worked “like a charm.”

History

Historical Context

The AFL–NFL merger, announced on June 8, 1966 and completed before the 1970 season, moved the Steelers, Browns and Colts into the new American Football Conference, creating a 26-team league. That realignment let coaches like Chuck Noll experiment with aggressive blitzes, a defensive shift that modern coordinators such as Patrick Graham still emulate today.

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Story summary

Steelers lost 17-0 to the New York Jets in a preseason game.
Safety DeShon Elliott earned the highest Steelers PFF rating at 93.6 despite the shutout.
Fourteen defensive players graded 70.0+ (up from ten), highlighted by Elandon Roberts’ fourth-and-two tackle.
Safety Rayshawn Jenkins recorded an early tackle for loss.
Coordinator Patrick Graham said blitzing Jenkins worked “like a charm.”

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