Steelers Defense- 3 Buzz and 2 Buzz Zone Coverage Concepts

The Steelers were a top 10 defense in 2023.

Their stats were as follows:

They were 8th in scoring only allowing 19.7 points per game. That is pretty good numbers considering they were bottom 1/3 in most offensive categories. There defense was on the field quite a bit.

Let’s look at some of the coverages the Steelers play.

This article will look at some of the Steelers zone concepts. I call them buzz type zones because they usually insert a safety inside and buzz a linebacker to the flat. They do this with their cover 3 zones and at times with their cover 2 concepts.

The first thing that stands out with the Steelers is they will always start in a 2 high look. They will then often move to their cover 3 concepts from there. This is very effective in their disguising of coverages.

The 4 coverages covered in this article:

• 3 buzz weak

• 3 buzz strong

• 3 double buzz

• 2 buzz

I. 3 buzz weak

They move the LB out late to jam #1 still keeping the 2 high look pre shnp

The safety sees it the whole way as he is rotating into the zone and playing curl. Chase tries to run the dig and the QB doesn’t see him.

The safety makes a great read and the ball should be picked off.

Example #2

Again they show 2 shell as the 49ers come out 2x2. Pass strength to the defensive right. They go 3 buzz weak.

Here is the clip with the coverage. They run Friday up top and the ball comes out late as Purdy gets pressured.