Brandon Williams has become a Steelers destroyer
Jan 3, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Josh Harris (40) carries the ball as Baltimore Ravens nose tackle Brandon Williams (98) and Ravens inside linebacker C.J. Mosley (57) defend in the second quarter during the 2014 AFC Wild Card playoff football game at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
Every great rivalry has their important figures, guys who get up and play especially well when faced with their most bitter enemy. For years, the Ravens’ Steelers killer has been Terrell Suggs, who famously claimed, “God can have his soul, but [Ben Roethlisberger‘s] [butt] belongs to me.” Those watching closely, though, can see the torch being passed. Suggs is still a beast, but a new star in this rivalry is emerging: Brandon Williams.
Williams has been an all-around stud this season, and never more so than against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
As a nose tackle, Williams is most often blocked by the center. In the Steelers’ case, that center is Maurkice Pouncey, a three-time All Pro, and there is not a player in this league that Pouncey has struggled with more than Brandon Williams.
A breakout performance against the Steelers in Week 2 prompted this article about Williams’ emerging stardom. Take out the word emerging. Williams is a star.
He is currently the fourth-ranked defensive tackle on Pro Football Focus in run defense and 10th overall. In three games against the Steelers this year, Williams has totaled a +5.9 grade, very impressive considering his limited snaps.
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The analytics are nice, but the tape tells the real picture. In the ground game, Williams can take on double teams without giving an inch, clogging up the middle and making running nearly impossible. Against single blocking, Williams sheds blocks with a combination of surprising savvy and dominating strength.
And against the pass, Williams bull rush is nearly unstoppable, especially against Pouncey. Pouncey just does not have the lower body strength to deal with the massively strong Williams, completely denying Ben Roethlisberger the opportunity to step up in the pocket. If he gets close enough, Williams has enough savvy to get off his blocker and bring Ben down, as he did in the Ravens’ Wild Card win.
In that win, Williams generated three pressures: a sack and two hurries. That’s incredible production for a nose tackle, and the stats don’t even tell the whole tale, as his ability to push the pocket can’t be quantified.
The pairing of Williams and Haloti Ngata is among the NFL’s best defensive tackle duos, as well as among the biggest. Williams, at 335 pounds, and Ngata, at 340 pounds, combine to create an impenetrable wall up the middle, which is why the Ravens gave up just 3.6 yards per carry this year.
Williams’ emergence could not come at a better time. Ngata is on the downside of his career, and Williams is emerging to take his place at the premier space eater on this defense. Suggs as well is on the backend of his career, and again, Williams is emerging just in time to take the mantle as the Ravens’ best Steelers killer.