The Pittsburgh Steelers at the moment are 10-5, a heartbreaking loss that unraveled within the fourth quarter towards the additionally 10-5 Ravens. That they had an opportunity to assert the AFC North crown. As a substitute, it should come all the way down to the wire.
A few notes earlier than we bounce in. Due to Thomas Mock for his nice work, which helped me be taught a lot about what I’m utilizing within the visible sequence. Spikes and clear throwaways are eliminated as a consequence of being the proper situational resolution, together with bats on the line of scrimmage. A whopping six throwaways and a spike had been eliminated.
QB Russell Wilson went 22/33 on the stat sheet (66.7-percent) however a a lot better 84.6 on charted passes on simply 4 incompletions. His errors had been detrimental, together with a pick-six interception early within the fourth quarter. He additionally had what gave the impression to be a pleasant 19-yard scramble to the purple zone within the second quarter however did an excessive amount of making an attempt to get ultimately zone, taking a success on a fumble turnover that was a possible 14-point swing.
It’s so unlucky, dampening an in any other case good efficiency in lots of rights. This included two purple zone passing TDs for a 100-percent price, a problem for this staff on the season (ranked thirtieth pre-Monday Evening Soccer). Confronted a whole lot of strain, tied for probably the most of 2024 (17). Eluded effectively general, however was sacked 3 times. He had two big-time throws, however an absence of it late sport was infuriating.
Each groups went 4-of-10 on all third downs, just about a top-ten price per season common. The expensive cash down was an unlucky 4th and 6. Low share deep heave downfield, incomplete turnover on downs fail, and no factors to start out the fourth quarter when issues derailed. The unhealthy was horrendous.
Let’s begin with a easy view of the 26 charted passes, with the variety of throws at every move distance for Week 16:
#1. 0-5 air-yards: 46.2-percent. Whopping 12 passes. On drive two, Pittsburgh confronted a 2nd and 20 following a sack (T Broderick Jones). Wilson took the wide-open dump off to RB Jaylen Warren, who had room to roam for YAC and a 13-yard pickup to make issues extra manageable.
Wilson was on the run once more on the identical drive, discovering TE Connor Heyward late on his out route on the sideline at three air yards for the 2nd and 1 chain mover. Two performs, notably the previous, on the eventual TD drive.
After a throwaway (had time), it’s 2nd and 10 on drive 4. WR Mike Williams ran a crosser and sat over the center at 5 air yards, tackled rapidly. However a third-down sack adopted on this three-and-out fail. Second of the sport, the opposite one more opening drive, three-and-out, after the fumble turnover drive for the slow-starting Steelers.
The final charted move of the drive was to Warren within the flat, wide-open at two air yards, and a pleasant lower for YAC and 13 yards. Missed facemask name in addition, which may have modified the complexion after settling for the sector aim and 17-10 deficit into the locker room.
Within the late third quarter, a 2nd and 10 was again to a Williams crosser, wide-open at 5 air yards with YAC to realize 13 for a primary down. A throwaway adopted, and whereas the O-line may have performed higher, this was an instance of being antsy and operating in the direction of strain.
Final play of the interval, third and seven. There was but extra strain (T Broderick Jones on the bottom), Wilson getting the dump to Warren on the line, and the short hit jarred the ball unfastened for a fumble. Fortunately, he was capable of fall proper again on it.
Fourth quarter sadly was the pick-six. The play-action boot proper to hit the TE (MyCole Pruitt) within the flat has been run to loss of life, and groups are throughout it. Baltimore was within the Week 11 matchup, too, and persevering with to name it typically lastly got here again to chunk them. Coated effectively, thrown terribly behind and late, undercut for the home name. The chip by the TE can be ineffective, getting QB hits too typically in addition.
Intestine-wrenching after S Minkah Fitzpatrick’s first interception in a rollercoaster back-and-forth sequence down 24-17. Nail within the coffin.
Subsequent drive, down 31-17, 12:43 left. TE Pat Freiermuth catches the cease route and is tackled rapidly for 4 yards. Couple performs later, it’s third and 4. Wilson invited strain however was capable of dance round it effectively and get the leak out to Warren (one air yard), a valiant churn for 5 yards to transform. However the highs and lows continued with one other sack, with Jones permitting a sack and false begin on consecutive performs. Not clear sufficient for playoff-bound ball.
#2. 5-10 air-yards: 38.5-percent. Ten examples, six but to be talked about.
First, it was a pleasant response after a three-and-out opening drive. Wilson began drive two with a faked brief route, then went vertical at ten yards to WR Ben Skowronek previous the DB, with YAC for a great 17-yard achieve. For 2 straight video games, Skowronek offered the primary chain mover; sadly, he exited the sport early. Then, one other Jones sack making an attempt to lock onto a display—yikes.
Similar drive, third and seven. Scramble drill rolling left (G Mason McCormick strain), with Skowronek admirably making himself obtainable on a comeback on the sideline for an eight-yard conversion. Nice play. The identical drive was capped off by a pleasant play-action with Wilson going over the vacated center to Pruitt at the back of the tip zone for the TD. Good 1st and aim name.
Early third quarter, it’s 2nd and 10. Wilson’s play-action rolls proper wanting downfield, then progresses to WR Van Jefferson on the crosser, which is effectively coated after being open earlier on the route. Throwaway-esque on the low/away throw. Subsequent, third and 10, a cease route on the run wanting the sticks to Jefferson tackled rapidly for six yards on the fail, the place Freiermuth appeared open downfield. Three-and-out to start out the second half, ugh.
The final instance was the 2nd and 19 within the fourth quarter. As soon as once more, Wilson takes a short-of-the-chains goal in Freiermuth over the center on a leak out and tackled rapidly for less than seven yards, with the next third and lengthy failing. Punted on 4th and 12 down two possessions with 9:27 left, with the prior 4th and 6 fail and choose six additionally recent in thoughts. The protection wasn’t taking part in effectively sufficient to make it a sport—dire straits.
#3. Behind-the-Line: 11.5-percent. Three right here. On drive three, Wilson play-actions and hits Warren on the dump-off, with an important inside lower and YAC for 12 yards on first down. They adopted that encouraging begin with a few good runs, however then the lengthy Wilson scramble derailed an encouraging drive close to the tip zone. Dwelling Alone scream GIF.
Late third quarter, it’s a play-action display to RB Najee Harris, however he drops the correct move on his lone goal, down 24-17. Too many unforced errors not too long ago. third and 11, down 14, ten minutes left. A WR display to Austin is the decision, and the protection is throughout it for a lack of one. A number of issues had me screaming, a very conservative name that felt like dwelling in your fears.
T-least. 10-15 air-yards: 7.7-percent. Two performs, one not talked about but. An encouraging third and 6 was an important route and discover to Austin over the center at 14 air yards, making the catch for 16 yards to the purple zone and organising the third-quarter TD drive. Very good.
T-least. 15-20 air-yards: 7.7-percent. Two passes. To finish the primary quarter, Wilson play-actioned and made an superior throw to Jefferson on the publish route, making the 18-air yard catch for the close to TD on the 21-yard achieve to the one-yard line. One in every of solely two explosive performs all sport and key in organising Pruitt’s landing on the promising second drive.
The opposite was additionally profitable, on 2nd and 11. From the shotgun, with RB Cordarrelle Patterson beside him, he ran a wheel path to the tip zone, displaying sturdy arms on the lobbed throw over the defender. Combating all the way in which to the bottom to safe the contested catch for the 12-yard landing, he tied the sport at 17 with 5:19 within the third quarter.
It’s a must to take what the protection provides, and Baltimore deserves credit score. Whereas the intermediate success is encouraging, there was actually extra amount available, man. Additionally, it re-emphasizes how catastrophic the fourth quarter was, largely a better sport all through than the ultimate rating signifies.
T-least. Explosive (20-plus air-yards): 7.7-percent. Simply two right here, flabbergasted. One was an aggressive begin to the third quarter Patterson TD drive, a play-action to glorious back-shoulder bomb and contested toe faucet Austin catch on the sideline for a double-explosive 44-yard achieve. Wow play, encouragingly, and considered one of two massive gainers Austin made on the Patterson TD drive. Past ten yards was nice general for Pittsburgh however not almost sufficient to beat the overflowing points that occurred on this sport.
Listed here are the dots of completions/incompletions for the sport:
Simply 4 incompletions appear encouraging. However a drop, fourth down incomplete deep shot, and choose six inside that inform a distinct story than that image. Furthermore, the center passing as soon as once more with out Pickens, who optimistically seems to be set to return after lacking three video games.
Simply in time for the Christmas Day problem towards the incredible back-to-back Tremendous Bowl champions and finest 2024 report Chiefs. Big increase, however not a savior, notably in case your staff execution stays this poor. Kansas Metropolis is just too good.
Completion Charges By Distance:
WILSON:
Behind-the-line: 2/3 (66.7-percent).
0-5 air-yards: 11/12 (91.7-percent).
5-10 air-yards: 9/10 (90.0-percent).
10-15 air-yards: 2/2 (100-percent).
15-20 air-yards: 2/2 (100.0-percent).
Explosive: 1/2 (50.0-percent).
Glorious 90-plus completion charges aside from behind-the-line (drop) and explosives (4th and 6 fail), however the one 0-5 yard incompletion was the expensive pick-six.
Completion Charges By Location:
WILSON:
Outdoors left numbers: 4/5 (80.0-percent).
Left numbers-left hash: 5/5 (100-percent).
Inside hashes: 3/4 (75.0-percent).
Proper hash-right numbers: 8/8 (100.0-percent).
Outdoors proper numbers: 2/4 (50.0-percent).
Actually focused between the numbers and hashes, the place Wilson has his highest completion charges of 2024 and ideal on this sport. He missed on the lone over-the-middle deep shot, however he was fairly good general over the center. Low quantity and missed outdoors the numbers sans Pickens.
Now for the warmth maps for charted-passes, then completions solely:
Very related and concentrated charts to the center of the sector, with some intermediate sprinkled in. We’re additionally reminded of the deep over the center 4th and 6 miss and the behind-the-line display drop (Harris), which had been the noticeable modifications on the completions-only view.
Subsequent, right here’s Wilson and Fields’ 387 charted throws of the 2024 common season:
#1. 0-5 air yards: 39.3-percent. Beforehand 38.8-percent. 2023 35.0-percent.
#2. 5-10 air yards: 25.6-percent. Beforehand 24.7-percent. 2023 23.8-percent.
#3. Behind-the-line: 16.0-percent. Beforehand 16.3-percent. 2023 18.5-percent.
#4. Explosive: 14.5-percent. Beforehand 15.0-percent. 2023 12.4-percent.
#5. 10-15 air yards: 9.3-percent. Beforehand 9.4-percent. 2023 13.0-percent.
#6. 15-20 air yards: 7.2-percent. Beforehand 7.2-percent. 2023 10.8-percent.
Ranks in move distances remained the identical this week. Essentially the most substantial uptick was 5-10 yards (0.9 %). The opposite enhance was 0-5. Explosives had been the largest downtick (0.5-percent), odd in a sport down considerably within the fourth quarter. Sure, the interception, and take what the protection provides you, however go for it with how a lot this sport meant. It’s not like Pittsburgh’s protection was stopping a lot.
WILSON:
Behind-the-line: 37/42 (88.1-percent).
0-5 air-yards: 68/87 (78.2-percent).
5-10 air-yards: 40/57 (70.2-percent).
10-15 air-yards: 13/20 (65.0-percent).
15-20 air-yards: 12/19 (63.2-percent).
Explosive: 20/34 (58.8-percent).
FIELDS:
Behind-the-line: 15/20 (75.0-percent).
0-5 air-yards: 57/65 (87.7-percent).
5-10 air-yards: 30/42 (71.4-percent).
10-15 air-yards: 8/16 (50.0-percent).
15-20 air-yards: 5/9 (55.6-percent).
Explosive: 6/21 (28.6-percent).
Fields was stronger at 0-10 air yards, whereas Wilson’s behind-the-line and past-ten-yard charges have been higher. Wilson’s charges are notably explosive, greater than doubling Fields’. Wow. Wilson additionally improved each price besides behind the road (drop).
Completion Charges By Location:
WILSON:
Outdoors left numbers: 42/69 (60.9-percent).
Left numbers-left hash: 47/53 (88.7-percent).
Inside hashes: 11/17 (64.7-percent).
Proper hash-right numbers: 44/50 (88.0-percent).
Outdoors proper numbers: 31/46 (67.4-percent).
FIELDS:
Outdoors left numbers: 35/53 (66.0-percent).
Left numbers-left hash: 14/20 (70.0-percent).
Inside hashes: 11/13 (84.6-percent).
Proper hash-right numbers: 30/38 (78.9-percent).
Outdoors proper numbers: 22/34 (64.7-percent).
Wilson has stellar charges between the numbers and hashes, 88-percent or extra on either side, which improved as soon as once more, wow. Outdoors the fitting numbers has been higher than the extra frequent different aspect, and contained in the hashes the one different spot the place Fields was higher.
To shut, listed here are the dots together with warmth maps for all charted makes an attempt and completions solely:
Thanks for studying, and let me know your ideas within the feedback.
