Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier recorded yet another interception in Sunday’s Divisional Round playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs and he’s now had one in each of the last four games. If that’s not enough, Shazier is now linked to the unlikeliest Steelers player when it comes to interceptions in back-to-back playoff games.
According to NFL Research, Shazier is now the first Steelers player to record an interception in back-to-back playoff games since former cornerback Ike Taylor recorded three in three separate postseason games from 2005-2007.
Taylor, who is known for dropping a lot of footballs that he probably should have intercepted during his career, recorded interceptions in back-to-back playoff games during the 2005 season in addition to one more in the Steelers Wild Card loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars during the 2007 season.
Shazier’s latest interception against the Chiefs came with 8:08 left in the second quarter and was a result of linebacker Bud Dupree hitting the arm of Kansas City quarterback Alex Smith as he attempted a 1st and 10 pass. Dupree’s hit on Smith resulted in the football fluttering high into the air and it was ultimately caught by Shazier and returned for one yard.
“I’m just doing the normal amount of film study that I’ve always done and it’s working out,” said Shazier about his interception during his post-game press conference. “All glory be to God. I’ve just been in the right place at the right time and doing my job. Sometimes the plays come my way. The ball went up in the air and I was there.”
While Shazier has missed more than his fair share of regular season games during his first three years in the league due to injuries, when he has been healthy and on the field, he’s played very well overall. In fact, had Shazier been healthy for all 16-regular season games this season, he probably would have had a great shot at making the Pro Bowl in addition to possibly being voted an All-Pro.
The Steelers will play the New England Patriots next Sunday in the AFC Championship game and Shazier will likely need a big another big game if the Steelers hope to advance to Super Bowl LI in Houston. Can he make it five games in a row with an interception?
