Steelers LB Melvin Ingram Was as Good as Advertised in Week 1

[Steeler Nation]

There’s no better type of Monday than a Victory Monday. After the Pittsburgh Steelers stunned the Buffalo Bills on Sunday at Highmark Stadium, so many things stood out in the impressive performance by our boys in black and gold. How about the elevated play of CB Cameron Sutton? Or what about our special teams unit including newcomer, S Miles Killebrew with his blocked punt, the ever so patient Ulysees Gilbert III with his scoop and score, or good ol’ reliable K Chris Boswell going 3/3 on the day in field goals? Let’s not forget about defensive captain, Cam Heyward forcing 12 QB pressures either, and of course the newest highest paid defensive player in the league, TJ Watt with two sacks and a forced fumble. With that said, there was still one unsung hero who really stood out to me. That man was free agent acquisition and 3x Pro Bowler, Melvin Ingram.

Steelers.com | Melvin Ingram III (8) and TJ Watt (90) during their pregame routine vs the Buffalo Bills on September 12th, 2021 at Highmark Stadium, NY.







Ingram ended the game with just 1 tackle and 1 pass deflection, but his presence on the defensive side of the ball was felt all day long. He had EIGHT total QB pressures, and was even held on multiple plays which led to penalty yardage for the Bills.

The @steelers defense was absolutely ferocious on Sunday.

Most pressures by a pass rusher in Week 1:

1. CAMERON HEYWARD 12
2. Arik Armstead 9
3. T.J. WATT 8
3. MELVIN INGRAM 8
3. Myles Garrett 8 pic.twitter.com/OPt1sRSlww

— NFL on CBS

(@NFLonCBS) September 13, 2021

Check out some of these plays that you may have missed by Ingram. Simply incredible:

Melvin Ingram – what a Steelers debut! All over the place – lined up inside, outside, long stunts, speed, spins, pursuit… Forced couple holds. Huge impact

Took Dion Dawkins to the woodshed today… pic.twitter.com/SA0LLzf8Nu

— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) September 12, 2021

Had to highlight #Steelers EDGE Melvin Ingram. So good yesterday. pic.twitter.com/pnZmU2F8Ui

— Chris Trapasso (@ChrisTrapasso) September 13, 2021

With the loss of DL Stephon Tuitt to start the season, I personally felt that that injury would hinder this team more than the average fan would think — especially in pursuit of a seventh Lombardi Trophy. But the pressure Ingram was able to display on the edge on Sunday vs. the Bills gave me so much hope and excitement. This could easily be one of the best free agent pickups of the entire off-season for any team if Ingram continues to play at this high of a level.

Steelers reporter Missi Matthews caught up with Ingram after the game and asked him what he thought of the team’s performance as a whole. Ingram put it best:

“It went amazing. It’s just one stepping stone, we still have a long way to go, but it just shows you the resilience this teams has. We never blinked, we never folded, and everybody played their part today.”

Watch (2:18):

Hear from @ohthatsNajee22 & @MelvinIngram following our win over the Bills. @HeinzTweets pic.twitter.com/dQnVnCmaYq

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 13, 2021

Watt pretty much summed it all up in his postgame interview as well:

That's a scary rotation

@_TJWatt | @highsmith34 | @MelvinIngram pic.twitter.com/j7FrNPMl6v

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 13, 2021

Who was your unsung hero vs. the Bills? How do you think Ingram played overall in Week 1? Click to comment below!

#SteelerNation

Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..

 

[mightyguru]

Melvin was a force...what a debut! Cam was just a man among children...tossing dudes like cord wood.

 

[Steelworth]

Re-watched the game and wow, these guys balled out!

Opposing QBs facing the Steelers this season:

 

[slashsteel]

Melvin was a force...what a debut! Cam was just a man among children...tossing dudes like cord wood.

Cam puts the bull in dozer. Probably the most underrated Steeler Vs Ingram who might be the best offseason pickup.

do Watt you do keep keeping.

 

[Steeltime]

Ingram was slowed by injuries last year - hamstring that bothered him from week 4 on - but other than that, he has been a force his entire career. Dude is an elite pass rusher. San Diego benefited tremendously with Bosa on one side, Ingram on the other.

Now? Watt on the other side, and Highsmith rotating to keep them fresh. Nice. Very nice.

 

[slashsteel]

Ingram was slowed by injuries last year - hamstring that bothered him from week 4 on - but other than that, he has been a force his entire career. Dude is an elite pass rusher. San Diego benefited tremendously with Bosa on one side, Ingram on the other.

Now? Watt on the other side, and Highsmith rotating to keep them fresh. Nice. Very nice.

Their loss is our D's gain.

I would go as far to say that Dupree+ a raw Hightower < Hightower year 2 + Ingram.

 

[Steelr4evr]

I've watched one whole game of Ingram and already love the guy.

Now I know who the hell 8 is.

 

[slashsteel]

I've watched one whole game of Ingram and already love the guy.

Now I know who the hell 8 is.

When he does good do we call him 8ball? 8 is enough?

 

[Steelr4evr]

When he does good do we call him 8ball? 8 is enough?

Maybe we can call him Earthquake, because he's an 8 on the richter scale...haha


8 ball works too...haha


The season will be fun just watching those guys get after it.



I hope everyone can stay healthy.

 

[Steelworth]

8 ball. Earthquake. Haha nice, like 'em both.

 

[Steelworth]

8 your QB

 

[slashsteel]

8 your QB

That he did that he did!

 

[SteelerInLebanon]

Williamson and Lolley stated that metrics after the game showed we blitzed only 2 times. If we can pressure like that all year rushing only 3 or 4 the Secondary will look damn good.

 

[Steelworth]

Williamson and Lolley stated that metrics after the game showed we blitzed only 2 times. If we can pressure like that all year rushing only 3 or 4 the Secondary will look damn good.

Seems like that was the way to play it with a guy like Josh Allen and their WR group. Glad it paid off, best Monday in a while!

 

[mightyguru]

Their loss is our D's gain.

I would go as far to say that Dupree+ a raw Hightower < Hightower year 2 + Ingram.

Absolutely!!!

 

[thesteelcity]

Ingram could be our best FA signing over the summer. If this D can stay healthy, it could be very special. Already looking for the Great 8 on the field.

 

[SteelerinMD]

What did Justin Houston do? 2 assists. Remember him saying he was so glad he didn’t sign with the Steelers and that the Ravens made him feel alive again and love football

 

[thesteelcity]

What did Justin Houston do? 2 assists. Remember him saying he was so glad he didn’t sign with the Steelers and that the Ravens made him feel alive again and love football

They mentioned him a few times, but he wasn't that impactful. Nothing to close the Ingram. Right now, we got the better guy, but time will tell.

 

[madinsomniac]

When he does good do we call him 8ball? 8 is enough?

8rs gonna 8 lol

 

[steel dino]

Don't know about the old yinzers out there....

But when I see number 8 in Black-n-Gold....Pops comes to mind...

 

[madinsomniac]

Williamson and Lolley stated that metrics after the game showed we blitzed only 2 times. If we can pressure like that all year rushing only 3 or 4 the Secondary will look damn good.

Yep we were straight up DLB crushing it… they didn’t know who was rushing, but it was usually 4 and they were unblock-able Alualu looked like a beast… Heyward was a monster, and the third dlinemen was never a liability… all the olbs just dominated…

now bear in mind that Buffalo refuses to run… we have to see what it looks like vs a balanced offense still