Have you ever heard the old cliche of “the unstoppable force meets the immovable object?”

Well if this is your first time hearing that phrase, I’ve got a pretty good visual to describe it.

In what was a truly wow moment last Sunday, a few backup Steelers defensive linemen answered the call when Stephon Tuitt left the game with a knee injury.

What we’re going to view is a small sample size (and I must have watched this at least ten times) but it shows how well the defense has responded to adversity this season.

In the first quarter of the game, the Bengals have a first and goal at the Steelers 7-yard line. Cincinnati is poised to strike, knowing Stephon Tuitt is out of the game.

Pittsburgh currently has three backup defensive linemen in the game: Ricardo Mathews (90), L.T. Walton (96) and Daniel McCullers (93).

Knowing our weakness, you just have this feeling that the Bengals are going to try and use RB Jeremy Hill to bulldoze through our defense for a TD.

C Russell Bodine and RG Kevin Zeitler attempt, to no avail, to double-team L.T. Walton (left side of screen, number 96). The Bengals offensive line also attempts to double Ricardo Mathews (also left) while the remaining blockers each “get a hat” with McCullers, James Harrison and Ryan Shazier.

But it’s Big Dan who thwarts their efforts, breaking free from his block, to drill Hill, after only a 1-yard run.

The gap discipline here is incredible: Mathews and Walton each take up a double-team, while McCullers cannot be moved. Bud Dupree and Sean Davis fill the gaps, and the Bengals are stopped cold.

On the very next play, McCullers gets in on the action again.

This time the Steelers switch assignments, completely shaking up the D-line with McCullers angled in the A gap as the nose, and Mathews/Walton change sides, as the Bengals attempt to run over their left guard this time, also changing gears.

McCullers is doubled on this play, but still stands tall, as he and Mathews combine for another 1-yard tackle on Hill.

Something to think about: those 2 offensive linemen have to weigh more than 600 lbs. total, and they can’t move Walton or McCullers.

Then, Big Dan reaches out to grab 235 lbs. Jeremy Hill, and slam him to the ground… after maybe, maybe, a half-yard gain (and of course, leaning forward for the yard).

I was impressed, but the look on Bengals coach Marvin Lewis‘ face was priceless: clearly WTF?

Did that just happen?

Yes it did.

And it happened without Javon Hargrave, Stephon Tuitt, or Cam Heyward in the lineup.

Head Coach Mike Tomlin always says the “Standard is the Standard” but clearly, in this situation, the standard was not only “the standard” but as Coach T would also say, “above the line.”