The Pittsburgh Steelers made a significant adjustment to their lineup for the Monday night Wild Card game against the Houston Texans, opting to start veteran safety Chuck Clark instead of Kyle Dugger. This decision came on the heels of Dugger’s struggles in recent games, particularly during the Steelers’ loss to the Baltimore Ravens, where he was notably exploited on a critical 64-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Lamar Jackson to wide receiver Zay Flowers.
In that game, Flowers found himself a considerable distance from the nearest defender, illustrating a defensive lapse that coach Mike Tomlin attributed, at least in part, to Jackson’s unique abilities. Tomlin acknowledged Jackson’s capacity to stress the defense schematically while also emphasizing that better execution and calls could have mitigated the explosive plays. The Steelers had opportunities to contain Jackson but were unable to capitalize, leading to moments of vulnerability in the secondary.
Dugger, who joined the Steelers from the New England Patriots via trade in October, had initially made a positive impact on the defense. However, after two subpar performances, including a misplay that allowed another touchdown in the previous week against the Cleveland Browns, the team felt a change was necessary.
Chuck Clark, who has started five games this season and recorded 51 tackles, has shown he can contribute significantly to the team. His experience may provide the stability the Steelers need as they face the Texans in a crucial postseason matchup.
As the Steelers look to bounce back and advance in the playoffs, the decision to bench Dugger reflects a commitment to performance and results, indicating that adjustments are essential when it comes to competing at a high level. The focus now shifts toward executing a game plan that will leverage the team’s strengths and address recent shortcomings as they aim for a victorious outcome against Houston.