The Pittsburgh Steelers are actually 10-4 after their worst efficiency of the season, discouraging to see towards a robust 12-2 Philadelphia Eagles squad. Failed the litmus take a look at abysmally, notably on offense.
Couple of notes earlier than we bounce in. Due to Thomas Mock for his nice work that helped me study a lot of what I’m utilizing within the collection visually. Spikes and clear throwaways are eliminated on account of being the right situational resolution, together with bats on the line of scrimmage. Three bats and a throwaway have been eliminated.
QB Russell Wilson went 14-of-22 passing (63.6 %) for a season-low 128 passing yards. A minimum of there was a TD and no interceptions. Philadelphia’s protection was in a position to hold a lid on issues, limiting Wilson to only one explosive play and no big-time throws, the worth he usually brings to the passing offense.
This unleashed considerations in regards to the Steelers going through elite groups within the postseason. Scheme was depressingly vanilla, together with not sufficient changes in each the move and run sport. The latter was a giant subject, with simply 56 staff speeding yards, by far the Steelers’ lowest output of 2024. Each have been powerful to observe, together with a have to not fall behind. As a substitute, the Steelers opened the sport with five-straight three and outs.
The offensive line was clearly overmatched. Wilson needed to get the ball out rapidly general and was sacked twice. The Steelers have been 3-of-10 on third down, removed from adequate in comparison with 10-of-17 (58.8 %) from Philly’s offense. Can’t rating in case you don’t possess the ball, which was deflatingly within the Eagles’ favor (39:52-20:08). Traditionally unhealthy numbers.
High quality and amount have been clearly missing.
Let’s begin with a easy view of the 18 charted passes for Week 15, with variety of throws at every move distance:
T-1st. Behind the Line: 27.8 %. 5 passes. The primary instance was on 2nd and eight, a fast flat move to TE Pat Freiermuth who was tackled for only a one-yard pickup. Know the Steelers like this play, and it’s gotten good YAC previously, however perhaps combine up while you name it as an alternative of just about each opening drive (they’ve but to attain on one all season).
Drive 4 featured the reward of nice area place off a particular groups compelled fumble. This primary down was a RB display to Najee Harris with good blocks, together with TE Darnell Washington and Van Jefferson on the perimeter. However infuriatingly lopsided two pointless roughness penalties on Pittsburgh got here after a scuffle behind the tip zone (Washington, WR Calvin Austin III with the previous getting punched). The refs didn’t see that? Actually? Eventual FG. Ugh.
Late second quarter, it’s 2nd and objective. Play-action boot left to WR Van Jefferson, who’s stopped in his tracks for no achieve. Early fourth quarter, a fast display to Austin on first down with a little bit of YAC on the six-yard achieve.
Then, I’m flabbergasted. With just below 12 minutes left within the fourth quarter, it’s 2nd and 21 following a hardly ever known as tripping penalty on C Zach Frazier and a batted incompletion to Freiermuth. At this down and distance, your finest name is a behind-the-line swing path to RB Cordarrelle Patterson? If that’s actually the look you wished, why not Warren or Harris, who’ve been extra profitable YAC guys this season. Irritating, and felt like a give-up second.
T-1st. 5-10 air-yards: 27.8 %. 5 examples. Second and 24 to start out the second quarter following an illegal-motion penalty (Jefferson) and a holding penalty (LT Dan Moore Jr.). It’s a crossing route from Austin, who sat down within the open spot of zone protection and was rapidly tackled on the six-yard achieve.
Nearing halftime, good idea and throw to Freiermuth on the slant with YAC, however there was all the time one thing on this sport. As he was churning by means of defenders, he carried the ball away from his physique, and an Eagles performed punched the ball out. Fortunately Freiermuth fell on it first.
Similar drive, a pleasant, decisive out-route throw to Freiermuth, who was unable to outlive the bottom, and it went for an incompletion. Then, a sack led to third and 20 with 45 seconds within the second quarter. Wilson hit Austin up the seam, however he fell whereas making the catch for 12 yards. After taking part in for a area objective, Ok Chris Boswell connects to make the deficit 17-13 going into the locker room.
Early fourth quarter, Pittsburgh’s down 27-13 now. Wilson connects with Austin once more, this time on a slant route, however a low throw limits doable YAC on the primary down 10-yard achieve.
No. 3. 0-5 air-yards: 22.2 %. 4 right here. But to be talked about was a 2nd and 18 late within the first quarter (following the accepted pointless roughness penalty on Austin). This throw to WR Scotty Miller was a bit outdoors on an out route. Miler on a diving effort made the catch, but it surely was overturned as he couldn’t survive the bottom.
Early second quarter, it’s third and 18. Dump-off to RB Jaylen Warren, who was vast open towards off protection. He confirmed good effort however couldn’t shed a number of tacklers on the three-yard achieve. Philly’s protection deserves credit score, however the product was JV on this fifth-straight three-and-out drive.
Bit of sunshine from the darkness subsequent. This drive began with Pittsburgh’s first chain-moving play of the sport, not occurring till 9:07 was left within the second quarter. Enjoying off the toss run (that had been unsuccessful) with a pretend, and Wilson triggers the shallow crosser to WR Ben Skowronek at three air yards, delivering some refreshingly uncommon YAC down the sideline for a 17-yard achieve. Good scheme.
No. 4. 10-15 air-yards: 16 7-percent. Three performs. Fourth drive, it’s third and 18. This miscue was a deep incompletion to Freiermuth. Wilson triggered to the again of the tip zone and Freiermuth ran a slant with nobody house and the move fell incomplete. Additionally famous route congestion from others with two gamers in the identical space. Fourth three and out however at the least acquired the sphere objective to tie the sport 3-3.
With 2:40 left in second quarter the Steelers scored their solely landing. Third and objective from the 9-yard line, it’s a 3-by-1 formation to the precise. Freiermuth working the slot nook path to that aspect performed a rebound basketball drill from the DB on Wilson’s underthrow to come back away with the rating that minimize the deficit to 17-10.
Then, one other questionable resolution. Fourth quarter, 11:16 left, third and 22 (following failed swing move to Patterson and penalties) down two scores. The play wasn’t unhealthy given the circumstances, a 15-yard slot in-breaker to WR Mike Williams on his lone goal of the gaeme. However the ensuing 4th-and-7 punt was a have-we-thrown-in-the-towel second for my part. So troublesome to abdomen.
T-least. 15-20 air-yards: 11.1 %. Two passes, each 15 air yards talked about within the prior part.
T-least. Explosive (20-plus air-yards): 11.1 %. Two passes, low for Wilson’s status and ability set, with the Eagles conserving the lid on the jar.
First was an early third and seven on the primary three-and-out drive. Wilson had tunnel imaginative and prescient on Jefferson on the deep seam over the center regardless of triple protection, crusing it over his head incomplete. Famous Williams and Freiermuth in single protection previous the sticks as higher choices. Take what they offer you and who is aware of how the sport may have unfolded with some early momentum.
The opposite was the Steelers’ first offensive play after halftime. OC Arthur Smith and firm dial up a flea flicker, an ideal throw and catch for 31 yards. Good play name to try to achieve momentum after the tough begin. However after a pair profitable runs, Najee Harris’ pricey fumble gave the Eagles the ball. So deflating.
A minimum of there have been so many extra encouraging video games this season with the Steelers coaches and gamers hopefully returning to that type. Right here’s to hoping for that towards extra powerful opponents as a result of this felt extra like a regression to the previous couple of years of not-good Bob Steelers offense.
Listed here are the dots of completions/incompletions for the sport:
Completion Charges By Distance:
WILSON:
Behind-the-line: 5/5 (one hundred pc).
0-5 air-yards: 2/4 (50.0 %).
5-10 air-yards: 4/5 (80.0 %).
10-15 air-yards: 2/3 (66.7 %).
15-20 air-yards: 1/2 (50.0 %).
Explosive: 1/2 (50.0 %).
Worse than typical charges as you most likely anticipated with the low quantity 15-20 distance the one exception from the final sport.
Completion Charges By Location:
WILSON:
Outdoors left numbers: 1/2 (50.0 %).
Left numbers-left hash: 7/7 (one hundred pc).
Inside hashes: 0/1 (0.0 %).
Proper hash-right numbers: 4/5 (80.0 %).
Outdoors proper numbers: 2/3 (66.7 %).
Actually focused between the numbers and hashes the place Wilson has his highest completion charges of 2024. Low quantity and missed within the excessive center of the sphere downfield, and out of doors the numbers was additionally non-existent in comparison with previous video games and sans George Pickens.
Now for the warmth maps for charted passes, then completions solely:
Neither are adequate, with only one explosive air-yard completion and the one true explosive play of the sport (not counting penalty yards).
Subsequent, right here’s Wilson and Fields’ 361 charted throws of the 2024 common season:
No 1. 0-5 air yards: 38.8 %. Beforehand 39.7 %, 2023 35.0 %.
No. 2. 5-10 air yards: 24.7 %. Beforehand 24.5 %, 2023 23.8 %.
No. 3. Behind the road: 16.3 %. Beforehand 15.7 %, 2023 18.5 %.
No. 4. Explosive: 15.0 %. Beforehand 15.2 %, 2023 12.4 %.
No. 5. 10-15 air yards: 9.4 %. Beforehand 9.0 %, 2023 13.0 %.
No 6. 15-20 air yards: 7.2 %. Beforehand 7.0 %, 2023 10.8 %.
Ranks in move distances remained the identical this week. Probably the most substantial uptick was behind the road (0.6 %), which has been the case not too long ago. The opposite will increase have been 5-10, 10-15, and 15-20, however essential to recall the low pattern of whole throws Week 15. The 0-5 air yards have been the most important downtick (0.9 %) whereas explosives additionally decreased.
RUSSELL WILSON:
Behind the road: 35/39 (89.7 %).
0-5 air-yards: 57/75 (76.0 %).
5-10 air-yards: 31/47 (66.0 %).
10-15 air-yards: 11/18 (61.1 %).
15-20 air-yards: 10/17 (60.0 %).
Explosive: 19/33 (57.6 %).
JUSTIN FIELDS:
Behind the road: 15/20 (75.0 %).
0-5 air-yards: 57/65 (87.7 %).
5-10 air-yards: 30/42 (71.4 %).
10-15 air-yards: 8/16 (50.0 %).
15-20 air-yards: 5/9 (55.6 %).
Explosive: 6/21 (28.6 %).
Fields was stronger at 0-10 air yards whereas behind the road and previous 10-yard charges have been higher with Wilson. Significantly explosives, together with his charge greater than doubling Fields’. Wow. Right here’s to hoping that appears higher shifting ahead.
Completion Charges By Location:
WILSON:
Outdoors left numbers: 38/63 (60.3 %).
Left numbers-left hash: 42/48 (87.5 %).
Inside hashes: 8/13 (61.5 %).
Proper hash-right numbers: 33/38 (86.8 %).
Outdoors proper numbers: 28/39 (71.8 %).
FIELDS:
Outdoors left numbers: 35/53 (66.0 %).
Left numbers-left hash: 14/20 (70.0 %).
Inside hashes: 11/13 (84.6 %).
Proper hash-right numbers: 30/38 (78.9 %).
Outdoors proper numbers: 22/34 (64.7 %).
Wilson has stellar charges between the numbers and hashes, over 86 % on either side, which improved as soon as once more. Outdoors the precise numbers has been higher than the extra frequent different aspect, which turned the bottom completion charge following Week 15. Evaluating to Fields can also be fascinating.
To shut, listed below 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.
