Inform me if this sounds acquainted. Gotta rating extra factors, want to begin sooner. This, after all, been an apparent downside for some time now in Pittsburgh, sadly, and saved the group from reaching their potential. As we speak, I wished to try scoring by quarter via the 5 video games of 2024 up to now, and see how Pittsburgh has fared in comparison with the remainder of the NFL.
First, listed here are complete factors per recreation, and variety of wins to get a lay of the land:
Right here, we get a visible sense of Pittsburgh defying the percentages within the win column greater than most groups, regardless of their low points-per-game. Solely three groups land on the highest left with successful information, however under common PPG: Houston, Denver, and Pittsburgh. Extra particularly, the Steelers 18.4 PPG ranks twenty sixth within the NFL, however tie for fifth in wins with a number of groups.
Comparatively, 12 groups land on the underside left, with extra anticipated dropping information on under common PPG. On the underside proper are squads that put up factors, however extra painfully hasn’t led to victories, together with the underneath reaching Bengals within the division.
On the highest proper, we see a number of groups that appear to be contenders as we sit right here as we speak, with the 2 remaining unbeaten groups (Minnesota, Kansas Metropolis) having above-average factors per recreation. The Commanders lead the NFL with a whopping 31.0 PPG, as they exceed many individuals’s expectations to this point at 4-1. That PPG quantity has me drooling, in comparison with Pittsburgh’s 18.4 PPG.
Now let’s dive deeper into factors per recreation by quarter (PPQ):
Pittsburgh has actually taken eternally to “stand up to hurry” within the factors per recreation side of the sport, which we all know simply from watching the video games. However the chart actually hammers this level dwelling in comparison with the remainder of the league, with a gradual upward development every quarter in 2024.
The Steelers are one of many worst within the NFL within the first quarter as anticipated, averaging simply 2.6 PPQ that ties for twenty sixth, ouch. After scoring three and 7 PPQ the primary two video games, Pittsburgh put up goose eggs in Weeks 3 and 4, adopted by simply three on this two-game dropping streak.
The Debbie Downer view is how lengthy it’s been a difficulty for Pittsburgh. Optimistically, we noticed new OC Arthur Smith and QB Justin Fields draw up aggressive photographs early, painfully all missed alternatives versus an unwillingness or conservative nature.
This included three explosive air yard makes an attempt within the first quarter that each one failed to attach, together with going 0/6 in the entire recreation. The affect of explosive performs to scoring drives is obvious, and will look a lot better even a few these performs hit. Take a look at my my most up-to-date Steelers’ passing chart if you would like some unlucky visible context on that difficulty.
Then, there’s the Steelers run first identification that defenses come out with excessive precedence of stopping. General, the opposition has been in a position to restrict Pittsburgh’s dashing success no matter quarter, which is a giant issue of their sluggish begins as nicely.
Here’s a desk of Steelers factors per quarter and their NFL ranks:
We additionally see that whereas the three.8 second quarter common is larger, it really drops two spots within the NFL ranks to twenty eighth. The NFL common in 1 / 4 is at present 5.4, so right here’s to hoping these numbers and the offense traits positively shifting ahead, which might be large in hopes of getting again into the win column.
This has led to the necessity to rev up the engine within the second half. The excellent news is Pittsburgh’s offense has been in a position to, as an above common PPQ group throughout within the second half. Within the third quarter, they’ve 5.2 PPQ which ties for eleventh. Their finest PPQ is in crunch time fourth quarters, with 6.8, holding the only real twelfth rank.
The flexibility to attain factors within the fourth quarter is nice to see. Complicated, however maybe encouraging. You’d suppose it could be more durable to take action than the primary quarter. That thought creates optimism that Pittsburgh’s offense can gel and development positively earlier in video games.
However I’ll imagine it once I see it, with how typically it has occurred and the way painfully etched within the mind that’s. The potential is there, and it’s time to lastly cease speaking about it and ship stronger begins on the scoreboard for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Right here’s to hoping for simply that towards the Raiders on Sunday.
