'Best in the world' at blocking punts, Miles Killebrew again makes big play for Steelers

Some people have interests, or aspects of life they excel in. For Pittsburgh Steelers special-teams captain Miles Killebrew, that’s blocking punts.

“He’s obsessed with it,” teammate and quarterback Kenny Pickett said Sunday.

Killebrew’s obsession was satiated Sunday when his third blocked punt over his three seasons with the Steelers proved perhaps the most pivotal play in a 17-10 victory against the Baltimore Ravens.

“He’s a guy who dedicates to his craft,” Pickett said. “I watch him work every day. I watch him work punt blocks all the time. He’s constantly doing it. …

“I’m not surprised he’s the guy who steps up in those moments when we needed it.”

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Another AFC North classic brewing in Pittsburgh
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On Sunday, that moment came with 11 minutes, 12 seconds to play in regulation and the Steelers trailing by a touchdown. Killebrew burst through the line and batted back Jordan Stout’s attempted punt from near his own goal line. The ball deflected through the back of the end zone, with the Steelers’ Rodney Williams barely unable to recover it for a touchdown.

Instead, the Steelers (3-2) settled for a safety that ignited a 14-point run to close the game that left them in first place headed into their bye week.

“The thing I love about blocked punts is it’s a team stat,” said Killebrew, who has four blocked punts over the past four seasons, including one while with the Detroit Lions in 2020. “We all get credit. There’s a lot of things that have to go right for a blocked punt: it has to be a great call, so kudos to (special teams coordinator Danny Smith).”

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Killebrew said the call was something the Steelers had been working on in practice for about three weeks. All of that preparation was in preparation for a precise set of circumstances — score, opponent, place on the field, etc. — that needed to line up before the play could be deployed.

That all fell into place against the Ravens, giving the Steelers their first blocked punt since a Nov. 21, 2021, game at the Los Angeles Chargers. Killebrew got that one, too — as well as one 2½ months earlier in his Steelers debut in that season’s opener. It helped pave the way for an upset win at the Buffalo Bills.

“I practice it,” Killebrew said. “I don’t think anything happens on accident. It’s something that I actively seek, and I am just thankful to be on a team of guys who do their job and so I am able to count on them so I am able to get it done.”

Steelers veteran cornerback Patrick Peterson said Sunday’s block “completely changed the momentum” of Sunday’s game.

The Steelers had just gotten a three-and-out, and they added a field goal on the possession after the ensuing free kick. The defense followed with a three-and-out and then an interception after a Steelers turnover before the offense did their part by producing what proved to be the winning touchdown in the final 2 minutes.

“Miles is the best in the world at what he does: blocking punts,” Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith said. “And that was a huge play in the game.”

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