3 Steelers' defensive keys to victory vs. Jets in Week 1

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ regular season opener against the New York Jets is finally upon us — but to prevent Justin Fields from taking his revenge on the Steel City, these three defensive keys to victory must be followed.

Keep a QB spy on Justin Fields

While Fields is one of the most gifted dual-threat quarterbacks in the league, his legs are far more game-changing than his arm. Keeping one of the fastest linebackers, Payton Wilson, glued to Fields is Pittsburgh's best shot at limiting his impact on the ground.

Move T.J. Watt around on the defensive line

One of the most frustrating aspects of the Steelers defense late last season was the inability to get Watt one-on-one with the offensive tackle — and the solution to this annoying problem is simple: move him across the defensive line. Some of the most successful edge rushers in today's NFL create havoc across the entire offensive line. With Pittsburgh's defense as strong as it’s been in years, it’s even more vital to keep Watt from getting game-planned out of contests.

Utilize DeShon Elliott in the box

While Fields’ legs are a problem, the Jets also boast a talented three-man running back room featuring Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, and Isaiah Davis. Elliott is arguably the best run stopper on defense, and Pittsburgh should place him as close to the line of scrimmage as possible to stop the New York rushing attack from getting started early.

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This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers' defensive keys to victory vs. Jets in Week 1