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Factoid

Steelers Defense

Group achieved rare double in 2019

It was a disappointing season for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but no one should be blaming their defense. Especially in fantasy realms, where it did something that's seldom achieved in the NFL.

Pittsburgh last year led the league in both sacks (54) and takeaways (38). Over the last 30 years, that's occurred only twice -- in 1990 with Kansas City, and 1991 with Philadelphia. Those teams tied for the league lead in takeaways both of those season, while leading in sacks. Pittsburgh had both spots all to themselves in 2019.

SACKS AND TAKEAWAYS, 1990-2019
Year TeamIntFumTakeSackT(Rk)S(Rk)
1990Kansas City202545601-21
1991Philadelphia262248551-21
1992New Orleans1820385751
1993Tennessee2617435221
1994Pittsburgh1714315513-161
1995Buffalo17112849211
1996Carolina2216386051
1997New Orleans161531598-101
1998NY Giants197265419-211
1999St. Louis29736576-71-2
1999Jacksonville1911305717-181-2
2000New Orleans201535668-101
2001Pittsburgh1612285517-201
2002Philadelphia1522375651
2003Baltimore241741472-31
2004Atlanta1913324811-121
2005Seattle1611275018-201
2006San Diego1612286115-171
2007NY Giants1510255322-241
2008Dallas814225920-251
2009Minnesota1113244822-231
2010Pittsburgh211435483-41
2011Philadelphia159245016-191-2
2011Minnesota815235020-211-2
2012Denver168245216-171-2
2012St. Louis174215223-241-2
2013Carolina201030606-91
2014Buffalo1911305431
2015Denver141327527-81
2016Arizona141428484-61
2017Pittsburgh166225613-151
2018Kansas City151227527-91-2
2018Pittsburgh87155229-301-2
2019Pittsburgh2018385411

Table shows league leaders in sacks over each of the last 30 years, with where they ranked in takeaways that season. Three other teams that led the NFL in sacks also made it into the top 5 in takeaways over the last decade. One of those teams was Pittsburgh itself (2010).

With T.J. Watt (pictured) leading the pass rush and Minkah Fitzpatrick looking like a nice acquisition for the secondary, Pittsburgh will probably grade out favorably next season, too.

--Andy Richardson

Fantasy Index