Dan Orlovsky praises Pittsburgh Steelers defense, explains why it's not enough to win Super Bowl

Dan Orlovsky loves what the Pittsburgh Steelers are doing on defense this year. However, the former NFL quarterback and current ESPN NFL analyst explained why that won’t be enough for the team to win its first Super Bowl since the 2008 season.

“This defense in Pittsburgh can win a Super Bowl. This offense cannot,” Orlovsky said on NFL Live. “Right now, Russell Wilson is the worst red zone quarterback in the NFL. Let that set in. That’s not an assumption, that’s not an opinion, that’s a fact. His QBR in the red zone is an eight. That’s out of 100. The red zone performance is not good enough.

“…There’s been moments when a defense, I think silly in many ways, plays single-high coverage and gives them the chance to throw the ball to [George] Pickens one-on-one. But if you don’t, this offense and Russell Wilson is going to struggle vs. what you’re going to show them. You can get all the yards you want, 20 to 20. But to win a Super Bowl, you’re gonna have to be better in the red zone.”

Orlovsky added: “The other thing that has crept up… sacks. The last three weeks, Russell Wilson’s taken 11 sacks. That is tied for fifth-most in the NFL. since Week 8.”

More on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense and defense

Wilson took over for Justin Fields as the starting quarterback in Week 7, and the Steelers have won their last four games. In that span, Wilson has completed 60.3 percent of his passes for 942 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions with a 94.4 passer rating.

Fields started the first six games for the Steelers have notched a 4-2 record. And when it comes to his stats, Fields completed 66.3 percent of his passes for 1,106 yards, five touchdowns and one interception with a 93.9 passer rating. Fields also rushed for 248 yards and five touchdowns in his six starts.

The Steelers’ defense ranks eighth in yards allowed per game (305.3) and second in points allowed per contest (16.2). Linebacker TJ Watt and defensive lineman Cameron Heyward have anchored the group, recording seven and five sacks, respectively. Linebacker Patrick Queen leads the team with 72 tackles, and cornerbacks Beanie Bishop and Donte Jackson each have three interceptions.