The Pittsburgh Steelers offense has proven promise in 2024, now 6-2 and popping out of their bye week. At present, I needed to supply some information context of personnel utilization, and anticipated factors added (EPA) to gauge success.
In totality, Pittsburgh’s offense ranks thirteenth in offensive EPA (0.03). 0.12 EPA on drop backs is their higher mark which additionally ranks thirteenth, in comparison with a -0.07 rush EPA (Fifteenth).
Now let’s dive into personnel groupings. Nearly all of the league performs in 11 (1 RB, 1 TE) and 12 (1 RB, 2 TE’s) probably the most, which is the case for the Steelers as effectively. I may even embody some personnel groupings we’ve seen extra of below OC Arthur Smith.
Let’s begin with 11 personnel, utilization and success charges in that scenario:
The very first thing that jumps out is Pittsburgh utilizing 11 personnel effectively under the league imply. Their 47.6-percent utilization charge ranks twenty seventh within the NFL, a lot decrease that their 71.8-percent quantity in 2023 that ranked sixth-most. A considerable distinction.
The Steelers’ offense is barely above a wash with a 0.02 11 personnel EPA, tying for sixteenth in comparison with twenty fourth final season. Whereas success may stand to enhance, seeing extra high quality over amount is encouraging.
Extra particularly, Pittsburgh’s 0.14 go EPA is a powerful tenth this season. Nonetheless, they’ve actually struggled operating out of 11 personnel, with a poor Thirtieth-ranked -0.18 rush EPA. Contemplating the frequency of this personnel grouping, this ought to be an enormous objective for Pittsburgh’s offense to enhance.
We additionally see the Washington Commanders, Pittsburgh’s subsequent opponent, have the NFL’s greatest 11 personnel EPA of 0.22. Whereas in addition they run it under league common (T-Twenty second), it’s greater than the Steelers, and have been significantly robust on passes (0.31, first) in comparison with a 0.04 rush EPA (T-fifth). This may current a problem that Pittsburgh’s protection is hopefully prepared for in Week 10.
It’s additionally fascinating to see how the remainder of the Steelers remaining schedule stacks up. Baltimore runs 11 personnel the least within the NFL at a 28.9-percent charge, over 5-percent lower than every other staff, however have been profitable (0.14 EPA, T-third).
Right here’s the remainder of Pittsburgh’s opponents: Cleveland (utilization charge – sixth, EPA – twenty eighth), Cincinnati (utilization charge – sixteenth, EPA – T-third), Philadelphia (utilization charge – twenty first, EPA – T-eighth), and Kansas Metropolis (utilization charge – twenty eighth, EPA – T-third). That’s 5-of-6 remaining groups which can be Prime 10 in 11 personnel EPA.
Subsequent up is 12 personnel (1 RB, 2 TEs):
Right here we see Pittsburgh is considered one of a number of groups above the imply in 12 personnel. Their 25.6-percent utilization charge ranks eleventh, and have a powerful 0.18 EPA via Week 8 that ranks sixth. The Steelers increased utilization is not any shock as considered one of Smith’s calling playing cards, and makes their success right here encouraging.
Compared, Pittsburgh ran 12 personnel 18-percent of the time in 2023 (nineteenth), and had a -0.12 EPA (twenty fourth). So, significantly better on this alignment general as effectively, fortunately. 12 personnel go EPA is stronger once more at 0.37 (seventh), with a -0.03 rush EPA (thirteenth). This places Pittsburgh amongst a number of aggressive groups on the perfect nook of the visible, together with many on their remaining schedule.
Wanting on the schedule, 5-of-6 groups Pittsburgh’s set to face have excessive utilization charges and EPA marks. Washington (utilization charge – twelfth, EPA – 14th), Baltimore (utilization charge – fourth, EPA – first), Cincinnati (utilization charge – seventh, EPA – T-eighth), Philadelphia (utilization charge – second, EPA – T-eighth), and Kansas Metropolis (utilization charge – fifth, EPA – T-Fifteenth).
It’s additionally fascinating to see the place Atlanta lands on the 2 visuals up to now, changing into the heaviest 11 personnel staff within the NFL at a whopping 90.9 (second-most is 84.8) after transferring on from Smith, and barely utilizing 12 together with abysmal outcomes. A stamp of recent OC Zac Robinson, coming over from the 11-personnel heavy Los Angeles Rams, who’ve the second-highest 11 personnel solely behind the Falcons.
The stamp Smith placed on his former, and present Steelers groups have been evening and day completely different from 2023 to 2024.
Talking of his influence, loading the roster and utilizing TEs closely has been on full show, together with 13 personnel (1 RB, 3 TEs):
In truth, the Pittsburgh Steelers offense has used 13 personnel probably the most of any NFL staff in 2024. That charge is available in at 18-percent, with solely the Chiefs (16.1), and Cardinals (15.3) within the ballpark.
So, the Pittsburgh and Kansas Metropolis Week 17 matchup will seemingly function numerous heavy personnel. Washington has the one different above the imply utilization at 5.6, fourth-most up to now. The Commanders have the second-best 0.29 EPA in 13 personnel as effectively, together with KC rating ninth (-0.07).
Pittsburgh lands near the league imply in 13 personnel EPA at -0.22, which ranks 14th. Their rush EPA (-0.07) is fortunately the higher quantity given the scenario and ranks seventh via Week Eight, in comparison with a -0.49 go EPA (sixteenth).
Not dangerous, however it will be good to see that enhance with how typically they’ve run it. For added context, a number of groups have but to make use of the formation, and all however 4 groups are round four-percent or under.
Right here’s Pittsburgh’s opponents but to be talked about: Baltimore (utilization charge – twenty first, EPA – seventeenth), Cleveland (utilization charge – sixteenth, EPA – twelfth), Cincinnati (N/A), Philadelphia (utilization charge – 14th, EPA – sixth). Not an enormous factor for any of those offenses, with the Eagles boasting the highest quality and a possible Week 15 alignment problem for Pittsburgh.
Lastly, I needed to see how typically Pittsburgh, and the NFL, have used a number of backs. Listed here are the 21 personnel (2 RB, 1 TEs) outcomes:
Many NFL groups aren’t utilizing 21 personnel in any respect, and the bulk which can be land under 10-percent, together with Pittsburgh. Their 3.3-percent utilization charge ties for 14th, a top quality over amount affair in 2024 up to now with a 0.15 21 personnel EPA that ties for fourth-best. This features a 0.33 go EPA that ties for sixth, however a -0.3 rush EPA that ranks nineteenth. That’s third-worst amongst groups which have ran 21 personnel, sadly.
With out a “true FB” on Pittsburgh’s roster, that is unsurprising for my part, however hopefully pattern in the suitable course in 21 personnel dashing. This might positively influence different issues the Steeler offense prioritizes, reminiscent of play-action, and would doubtless proceed to assist the offense opening up extra.
Seeing the groups with excessive 21 personnel are largely unsurprising and make the most of FBs. San Francisco (Kyle Juszczyk) and Miami (Alec Ingold) high the utilization charge comfortably round 31-percent, with the third-most dipping all the way in which to 19.4 (Saints).
Baltimore is the one upcoming Pittsburgh opponent with an above-average utilization charge (16.8). Patrick Ricard is a load, listed at over 300 kilos, and has much more snaps at inline TE and contributes to their prime quality and amount in 12 personnel.
Washington lands above the imply but once more with a powerful 0.74 21 personnel EPA that’s at present leads the NFL. They don’t use it as typically (6.1, ninth), and are just like Pittsburgh in that they don’t have a “true FB”. Rookie Ben Sinnott has performed extra inline TE and broad alignments, however has aligned within the backfield 21 occasions as effectively.
And the opposite offenses Pittsburgh will face: Cleveland (N/A), Cincinnati (N/A), Philadelphia (utilization charge – 18th, EPA – eleventh). Greater issue than 13 personnel for many NFL groups, however not this group general.
So, Pittsburgh’s protection with have their arms full with a number of high quality groups post-bye, that current a wide range of challenges formationally. Washington is cooking on offense with the very best 0.22 general offensive EPA, rating first in 11 and 21 personnel, second in 13 personnel, and are additionally above common in 12 personnel.
Baltimore is flexible, operating 12 and 21 personnel greater than most with success, significantly their high rank within the former. Cleveland is primarily an 11 personnel staff, however have actually struggled (twenty eighth in EPA), in comparison with extra common marks in any other case. The ultimate AFC North Bengals are extra versatile, with above common EPA of their foremost alignments, significantly tying for third in 11 personnel.
Philadelphia makes use of 12 personnel second-most within the league, and have above common EPA throughout a number of formations aside from 21 personnel. The reigning two-time Tremendous Bowl Champion Chiefs combine it up, fairing greatest in 11 personnel (T-third), and above common EPA marks in 12 and 13 personnel with a number of TEs.
The Steelers offense fared effectively general throughout the research. Right here’s a rankings desk breaking down the entire information on Pittsburgh’s offense to shut (NOTE: Necessary to recall 13 and 21 personnel hasn’t been utilized by all groups, so the colours add context to these ranks):
Being largely above-average is so refreshing. Their greatest steadiness of high quality and amount has are available 12 personnel up to now in 2024. TEs Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington lead the place for Pittsburgh in complete snaps, with each rounding out their sport with Freiermuth including higher blocking to his receiving prowess of late, and Washington getting extra concerned as a receiver to go with his robust blocking.
Prime 10 ranks: 13 utilization charge, 21 complete EPA, 21 go EPA, 12 complete EPA, 12 go EPA, 13 run EPA, and 11 go EPA.
Worst ranks: 11 utilization charge, 11 run EPA, 21 run EPA.
Nice to see versatile formation utilization and success general below Arthur Smith, in comparison with a Pittsburgh offense that had been stagnant for a number of seasons. Additionally, just a few poor marks. Whereas not utilizing 11 personnel practically as typically in 2024, a Thirtieth ranked run EPA ought to be highest on the room for enchancment radar for the Steelers offense.
