Steeler sack streak reaches 64 games
PITTSBURGH — The play that launched one of the most impressive streaks in NFL history began innocently — or maybe menacingly is the better word — with James Harrison in full flight, his No. 92 a blur as he chased down Joe Flacco for a 12-yard loss on a sunny afternoon in Baltimore.
The meeting between the longtime Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker and the former Baltimore Ravens quarterback midway through the third quarter on Nov. 6, 2016, ultimately had little impact on the outcome.
Flacco and the Ravens withstood a late rally to hold off the Steelers for a 21-14 victory best remembered for Pittsburgh kicker Chris Boswell’s botched onside attempt in the final moments.
Still, four years later, not a game has passed in which the Steelers have failed to take down a quarterback. Pittsburgh extended its streak to 64 and counting after toppling Tennessee’s Ryan Tannehill twice in a 27-24 victory last weekend that pushed the Steelers to 6-0 for the first time in 42 years. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers hold the NFL record, going 69 straight games with a sack between 1999-2003, an era highlighted by Hall of Fame defensive lineman Warren Sapp’s swagger and Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Brooks’ smarts.
Pittsburgh can move closer to the mark when it visits the Ravens (5-1) on Sunday with first place in the AFC North on the line. All the Steelers have to do is slow down Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson. The reigning NFL MVP is one of the league’s most dynamic players, equally as dangerous with his legs as he is with his right arm. Asked about the key to keeping Jackson “in check,” Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin is still looking for it. So are 30 other teams.
“I wish I had the answer to that,” Tomlin said. “I wish the National Football League had the answer to that. `In check’ is a strong term, one that I choose not to use. We’re just going to play to the best of our abilities, we are going to play within our personality, and we need to be on the details. We need to play fast and play collectively together and hopefully that is enough.”
