Contributions all around: The defense got the memo on Sunday.
After a few games where they admittedly didn’t play up to their standard, they put on a show against the Indianapolis Colts.
The defense created five turnovers, in addition to one on special teams, sacked Colts quarterback Daniel Jones five times, and held the NFL’s best running back, Jonathan Taylor, to just 45 yards on 14 carries.
“We came out and we did what we know we can do this week,” said linebacker Alex Highsmith. “We came out and we obviously stopped the run. That’s where it starts.
“And then our culture came alive. We had five turnovers. When we do that, we’re an amazing defense.
“We’ve got to put more performances like that together. I’m confident we’ll continue to stack this and play like this every week from here on out. We’ve got to continue to play like that.”
In addition to the sacks, the defense was also able to bat down a few of Jones’ passes, one of the things they said they needed to focus on in the week leading up to the game.
“We knew if we stopped their run in second and long, they would try to get back on schedule with rhythm passing, quick game,” said Highsmith. “I think we did a good job getting the hands up. One of them led to a pick.
“I think we did a good job of just recognizing when they were in those quick game formations and then executing, getting tipped balls, relating to guys in those zones.
“So, I think we executed that plan.”
Highsmith finished the game with four tackles, including three for a loss, two sacks and a forced fumble.
But contributions came from everywhere.
Linebacker Payton Wilson led the defense with 13 tackles, while adding an interception and two passes defensed.
Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. had an interception, while linebackers T.J. Watt and Patrick Queen had forced fumbles.
“It’s awesome,” said Highsmith. “We know that whenever we are creating turnovers, our culture comes alive. Everybody feeds off that.
“I think these last couple weeks, we hadn’t got any turnovers. We weren’t really feeding off of each other.
“We know to be a great defense, you’ve got to be a defense that plays to energy, plays with passion. We did that today.
“Obviously, they still had 20 points on the board, which is something we can’t let happen. We’ve got to get back in the film and see what happened towards the end of the game.
“Like I said, I’m proud of these guys and proud of the way we responded because the past couple weeks, it had been not our standard. So, the way we responded today I think shows how resilient we are as a unit.
“I think we always say they come in bunches. Usually, I feel like if we have a turnover in the game, we have multiple. (T.J.) started it off, and we kept feeding off of that. Kept feeding on the energy. We’ve got to continue to do that week in, week out.”
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