After Further Review: Watt a return

The run defense was so well executed Cam Heyward was even impressed by a 14-yard gain surrendered during Steelers 20, Saints 10.

“I thought the run defense was really good, just everybody playing assignment football,” Heyward emphasized late Sunday afternoon. “There was one play, T.J. (Watt) took the assignment of taking Taysom Hill out of the play. I think we gave up a 10-yard run but you could see the execution there.”

The play Heyward was referencing occurred on first-and-10 from the New Orleans 34-yard line with 10:44 left in the second quarter.

Watt crashed in unblocked from the left side of the defensive formation, ran past running back Alvin Kamara and splattered Hill, who had lined up at quarterback.

Kamara was the one with the ball in his hands, but Watt either didn’t know that at the time or didn’t care.

His job in that particular instance was to prevent Hill from springing one of his trademark gadget plays on the Steelers’ defense.

It resulted in a 14-yard gain, but that type of attention to detail also led to the Steelers playing the type of defense they endeavor to play throughout what became a dominating performance against the Saints.

“The execution, I just thought, picked up in the run defense,” Heyward continued. “And then that led to the sacks, a couple sacks, and turnovers, as well.”