Category: Steelers offense

NFL analyst provides ‘disturbing’ stats on Pittsburgh Steelers offense

The Pittsburgh Steelers offense is BAD, but just how bad is it?

When the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ offensive stats are broken down, it paints a “disturbing” picture.

Per Sharp Football Analysis’ Warren Sharp, Pittsburgh is averaging only 19.6 yards per drive (last in the NFL), eight points per game (last), 0.4 points per minute of possession (last). “To equate that to scoring a touchdown, they would need to have the ball for an average of 18-and-a-half minutes just to score the equivalent of one touchdown,” said Sharp.

As Sharp said, the process is even more concerning than the results. Just how do they get to this point? What fans have known of offensive coordinator Matt Canada since he was promoted from quarterbacks coach — his predictable play design.

Sharp Football Analysis pass rates chart

Smart play architects don’t tip their hand to defenses. To be successful, they design the best they can to confuse their opponent. Only Canada doesn’t do that. While not surprising, the percentage in which he shows exactly what Kenny Pickett and the Steelers are going to do is baffling.

On the pass rate chart that Sharp compiled, the Steelers are out on an island. 82 percent of the time they’re in shotgun, it’s a pass play, and 90 percent of the time that they’re under center, it’s a run play.

“You’re holding no cards up your sleeve as to what you’re doing,” he said.

Pickett’s flawed decision-making, which seems to have regressed from the last half of 2022, isn’t helping the situation. But the stats don’t just start and end with him. In 2021, only 18 percent of Steelers drives resulted in touchdowns with veteran and future Hall of Famer Ben Roethlisberger at the helm. 44 percent of drives ended with a punt. Pittsburgh under Pickett has nearly identical numbers.

It’s eye-opening and, quite frankly, disgusting. It’s only September, sure, but wins count and losses still hurt.

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So much to do, so little time: Steelers HC Mike Tomlin reveals reason for struggling ground game

Tomlin points to the short weeks his team has endured and claims they’re several weeks into focusing on the run game in practice.

In the first six games of the season, the Pittsburgh Steelers were averaging 130 yards per game and 4.1 yards per attempt. Since then, they’re at the bottom of the league in both areas.

Initially, it didn’t matter that the run game was trending downward because Pittsburgh was still able to keep the offense moving with quick, short passes. That’s no longer effective because defenses got wise and neutralized that scheme.

Until guard Matt Feiler went down last week, the line personnel is no different from starting the season.

So, why is the ground game struggling?

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin points to the short weeks his team has endured and claims they’re several weeks into focusing on the run game in practice.

“We haven’t necessarily seen the fruit of that work yet, and some of that can be traced to the short weeks,” Tomlin said in his weekly press conference. “We’ve acknowledged that, and that’s why we’re excited to work this week. Our continued emphasis is there in an effort to get that product to look the way we need it to look, round out our offensive attack, and allow it to be more fluid and productive.”

That’s a lot to digest.

From a physical standpoint, a mentality standpoint, and a play-calling standpoint, sweeping changes are required. The Steelers have three games to roll out that “product” and until the second weekend in January to perfect it.

It starts with a full week of practice leading up to the Cincinnati Bengals. This is Pittsburgh’s first full week of practice since Week 12. After the Ravens COVID outbreak forced a few schedule changes, preparation and practice for the Washington Football Team were limited to three days and five for the Buffalo Bills.

Tomlin says his team is working on adjustments. We just have to trust the results will manifest themselves. We’re not going to see significant changes in the run game this regular season. But if we’re lucky, we’ll see them in the playoffs.

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Pittsburgh Steelers offense: 5 studs through season’s first half

Steelers who have had stellar seasons through eight weeks.

Haters hated. Doubters doubted. Yet here we are midway through the regular season already. It’s hard to believe.

No one would’ve guessed the Pittsburgh Steelers would be undefeated at 7-0 eight weeks in either.

Here are eight reasons why the Steelers remain unbeaten.

Pittsburgh Steelers HC Mike Tomlin pulled one over on us

At long last, it appears that Tomlin has opened his mind to an RBBC approach to the Steelers’ run game.

Remember all that talk in the offseason from Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin about not utilizing a rotational running back system? Yeah, me, too. And I fell for it. Why? Because in 13 seasons, Tomlin has never done it — except when the unit has been riddled by injury (2019, 2015).

“It was good to get Anthony McFarland involved,” said Tomlin in Sunday’s postgame press conference. “I thought our utilization of all the backs was a good element of play for us.

In reference to McFarland, Jr., Tomlin said game circumstances hadn’t allowed his role to develop. He was inactive Week 1 and suited up but didn’t play in Week 2.

“We like the overall trajectory of [McFarland’s] game,” he said. “He’s been working hard and practicing hard and has professional detail in his work. We had trust in his abilities. He brings a different skill set than the others, and they complement each other well.”

Games through three weeks have played out as such that they’re able to close games on the ground — where they’re winning but need to run out the clock and play mistake-free football in the final minutes.

“All these games are close,” Tomlin said. “Everything in the National Football League is a one-score game, so your ability in the waning moments to possess the ball and not put your defense in harm’s way, to win the critical possession downs, to be able to run or run-like action.

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“I can’t say enough about what Ben was able to do in some of those short-yardage situations. We did supplement the run with some quick RPO options that allowed us to sustain drives and possess the ball.”

The shuffling of James Conner, McFarland and Benny Snell, Jr. worked in Week 3. Every game will dictate its own set of circumstances, but it’s great to see Tomlin open to a rotational running back approach finally.

“James is our feature runner,” Tomlin said for the umpteenth time since July. “It doesn’t mean that we won’t play others, but it does mean as we distribute carries, particularly as we find our rhythm in the game, that will include Conner unless someone has an unusually hot hand.”

Tomlin added that that’s the approach from now on — he doesn’t care who gets the credit or who makes the plays.

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