When the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Javon Hargrave in the third round of last year’s draft, I was ecstatic. Here was a player I felt could best emulate Casey Hampton: and keep in mind these are big, no huge, shoes to fill!

Trying to mimic what the perennial Pro Bowler Hampton did on a game-by-game basis is much more difficult in today’s pass-happy NFL. Even the Steelers, who are known as a 3-4 defense, only play in that package roughly one-third of every game; again, to defend against pass-happy teams in today’s NFL.

However, Hargrave, who came from small South Carolina State, is making big contributions to the Steelers defense.

First Two Plays of the Game

Hargrave’s presence was immediately felt on the first two plays of Detroit’s very first drive on Sunday.

The little yellow boxes show Hargrave in each play. Pay close attention to how the Lions attempt to shift their line right, placing their left guard on Hargrave, who is no match for his push.

On the very next play, the Lions match their center upon Hargrave, who pushes him deep into the pocket.

Unfortunately, Stafford escaped the pocket and was able to complete a pass downfield for a big gain. However, the emphasis on how Hargrave was winning his matchups is important to show for later situations in the game.

3rd-and-Goal: Third Quarter

Here’s the formation that myself and Managing Editor Eric Herrmann were screaming at the TV for on Sunday night. The Steelers remove their cornerbacks in favor of reserve linebackers L.J. Fort and Tyler Matakevich. The reason we were going bonkers watching at home is that this formation has failed three times so far this season.

On Sunday, it did not!

Fair warning: you’ll see this play again when we breakdown Vince Williams in a few days, but it’s just as important to highlight Hargrave here. The effort by Lions left guard Graham Glasgow is nearly nonexistent toward the Steelers defensive tackle, as he stays upright throughout the play and is the proverbial brick wall as he makes the initial contact to stop Detroit short of a touchdown.

Fourth-and-Goal: Fourth Quarter

Want to know how disruptive “J-Wobble” was on Sunday? We’ve shown you some plays already, but none could be any bigger than the push he gets on this 4th-and-7 from Detroit’s 8-yard line.

Glasgow’s hands are full again, as he’s apparently supposed to help his center, Travis Swanson, with a double team. He pulls a quick stunt as the Lions attempt to also double team Cameron Heyward (which they are moderately more successful at doing).

Hargrave literally shoves Swanson so far back he’s pushed into Matt Stafford, who then rushes and forces a bad throw which should’ve been picked off by Ryan Shazier.

Instead of potentially taking the lead with two minutes remaining, Detroit turns the ball over on downs, and the Steelers run out the rest of the clock to win the game.