Cam Heyward knows the Steelers' defensive line won't be playing against the Rams' defensive line, but he still maintains the Steelers' unit can and should outplay the Rams' much-more-publicized defensive front.
"Me, (Stephon) Tuitt and Steve (McLendon) all look at it as a challenge," Heyward maintained. "What defensive line is going to be the most dominant? What Front Seven is going to be more dominant in the game?
"It all depends on their offensive line and our offensive line. I'm going to take our offensive line vs. anybody, so we expect to win week in and week out."
The Steelers' returned their offensive line intact from last season, then lost center Maurkice Pouncey in the preseason (he's been replaced by Cody Wallace).
The Rams have four players starting along the offensive line in positions they didn't occupy a season ago. Left tackle Greg Robinson (the second overall pick in 2014) played guard as a rookie. Center Tim Barnes is a fourth-year pro and a first-time starter. And right tackle Rob Havenstein (second round) and left guard Jamon Brown (third round) are rookies.
St. Louis' defensive line is comprised of four former No. 1 picks, end Chris Long (2008), end Robert Quinn (2011), tackle Michael Brockers (2012) and tackle Aaron Donald (2014).
"They're special," Steelers guard David DeCastro confirmed. "High picks and they put it out on film. They live up to all the hype, especially No. 99, Donald.
"He's a special player."
The Steelers' first-team defensive line consists of a former No. 1 pick (Heyward, 2011) and a recent No. 2 (Tuitt, 2014) at end sandwiching a former undrafted free agent (McLendon, 2009) at nose tackle.
Here is a look at the statistical leaders for both the Steelers and Rams heading into Sunday's Week 3 matchup at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, Missouri.
QB Ben Roethlisberger has completed 72.3% (47/65) of his passes this season for 720 yards, 4 touchdowns, 1 interception and a quarterback rating of 122.6.
QB Nick Foles leads the Rams passing attack. Foles is 35 of 59 (59.3%) passing for 447 yards 2 touchdowns, 0 interceptions and has a quarterback rating of 94.4.
RB DeAngelo Williams leads the Steelers in rushing attempts (41), rushing yards (204) and rushing touchdowns (3).
RB DeAngelo Williams' three touchdowns leads all Steelers in touchdowns scored.
RB Benny Cunningham has carried the ball 17 times this season to lead the Rams in rushing attempts.
WR Tavon Austin leads the Rams in rushing with 57 yards and yards per an attempt at 7.1. Austin is also one of two Rams with a rushing TD (QB Nick Foles has the other).
WR Antonio Brown has been Roethlisberger top target through the air this season hauling in 18 receptions for 328 yards and 2 touchdowns, all team highs.
TE Jared Cook leads the Rams in receiving with a team high 10 catches for a team high 132 yards.
WR Kenny Britt has been on the receiving end of one of Foles' two touchdown throws.
TE Lance Kendricks was on the receiving end of the other Foles' touchdown pass.
Following a 15 tackle game vs. the 49ers, LB Ryan Shazier now leads the Steelers defense with 22 total tackles (16 solo and 6 assists).
Rookie LB Bud Dupree has recorded a quarterback sack in each of his first two game and currently leads the Steelers with 2.0 sacks on the season.
OLB Alec Ogletree leads the Rams defense with 23 total tackles (13 solo and 10 assists).
DT Aaron Donald has recorded 2.5 quarterback sacks in 2015 to lead the team.
CB Trumaine Johnson has the only Rams interception on the season.
They initially perceived Tuitt as a first-round talent who wasn't able to maintain proper weight and conditioning due to an injury prior to his junior (and final) season at Notre Dame.
Heyward sees Tuitt as a player ready to make his mark as an NFL sophomore, one that can continue to help the Steelers' defensive line make a difference.
Tuitt had one-and-a-half sacks in the Steelers' 43-18 win over San Francisco.
"Tuitt has great athletic ability," Heyward said. "He has a year under his belt. He's going to get a lot of opportunities to get one-on-ones.
"I'm getting doubled (double-teamed) he should be wining the one-on-ones. And if he's getting doubled I should be winning the one-on-ones. We can balance each other out like that and keep everybody accountable."
Let the competition in the trenches commence.
