Steelers' Minkah Fitzpatrick grabs key INT vs. Jets

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick grabs key interception against the Jets

By Clark Dalton | Last updated 10/2/22

Minkah Fitzpatrick's interception against the Jets created a turning point in the third quarter. The Steelers safety picked off quarterback Zach Wilson and returned it 34 yards. This set up a touchdown, as rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett punched it through from the one-yard line three plays later.

MINKAH FITZPATRICK IS A BALL MAGNET pic.twitter.com/QqbAXi0VlY
— PFF PIT Steelers (@PFF_Steelers) October 2, 2022

Fitzpatrick leads the Steelers in interceptions with three this season. Strong play by Fitzpatrick is imperative because star linebacker T.J. Watt is on IR with a torn left pectoral. The defense needs other players to raise their game. Fitzpatrick is proving he can be one of them.

Good defensive play also takes the pressure off a rookie quarterback like Pickett. Creating turnovers on defense means they don't have to force Pickett to make big plays.

The Steelers are 1-2 and trying to bounce back into AFC North contention.

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