At the quarter mark of the regular season, the Steelers, with their 14 sacks, trail the NFL's league leader by one, and in fact are on an early pace to set a team record for sacks in a season.

It probably helps that the Steelers have three big-time edge-rushers in a two-edge world.

"With the production we get out of those three guys," said OLBs coach Denzel Martin, "yeah, that's three starters."

Nick Herbig has for two seasons been a super-sub behind T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. Herbig had 3 sacks as a rookie and then 5.5 sacks last season. But in only two-plus games in relief of the injured Highsmith, Herbig has stepped in like Lou Gehrig and been a force.

To wit:

T.J. Watt, in 238 snaps, has 3 sacks. 5 tackles-for-loss, 6 QB hits, an interception, forced fumble, and fumble recovery

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