As we speak, I needed to have a look at NFL passing offenses and defenses by Week 8 of the 2024 season, zeroing in on air yards and yards after the catch to see how the Pittsburgh Steelers have fared.
First up, listed here are NFL offenses accomplished and supposed air yards:
By means of eight video games of the 2024 season, Pittsburgh’s offense has a 6.5-completed air yards quantity that’s fifth-best within the NFL, which is so refreshing following stale passing assaults lately.
Their 8.0 supposed air yards quantity drops a bit within the ranks to twelfth. Being above-average in each, notably their sturdy CAY, means Pittsburgh is connecting on deeper passes than a number of groups on common. Not gun slinging on the common, however have good connection total in comparison with different NFL offenses.
In fact, there have been two beginning QBs for Pittsburgh in Justin Fields and Russell Wilson. Fields performed all however two snaps within the first six video games, when Pittsburgh posted a 5.6 CAY that ranked 14th. Within the final two video games with Wilson, 9.1 CAY, which is third-best within the NFL. This spectacular enchancment got here regardless of extra comparable IAY: Fields (7.7, thirteenth), Wilson (8.8, tenth).
This context is sensible after seeing the offense open up with Wilson, together with a greater connection on deep balls. Per my weekly Steelers Passing Charts, Fields linked on simply 6-of-20 explosive air yard passes (30.0-percent), with a considerably stronger 71.4-percent from Wilson. The pattern is small for the latter (5-of-7 in two video games), however fingers crossed that continues post-bye.
Subsequent up, NFL offenses yards after catch by Week Eight:
Pittsburgh’s offense is round league common with 5.2 yards after catch, which ranks 14th. Some very sturdy groups on the prime with YAC numbers above 6, and could be nice to see the Steelers push in direction of that mark. For Fields, a 5.0 YAC (twenty third) in comparison with 6.1 for Wilson (fifth). An evening and day distinction.
24 explosive go performs for Pittsburgh’s offense to this point, tying for 14th within the NFL as nicely. With Fields, the Steelers offense had 15 explosive passes which tied for seventeenth within the span. In Pittsburgh’s final two video games with Russell Wilson, 9 explosive passes tied for fifth-best, so a considerable enchancment additionally.
Chunk performs of 10 yards or extra have improved of late as nicely. On the season, 65 such passing performs for Pittsburgh’s offense ties for nineteenth. The primary six weeks of 2024, 41 was the quantity that ranked a lowly twenty seventh, whereas Wilson and the Steelers have a whopping 24 the final two video games, tying for fourth-best within the league.
Wilson has offered a spark within the passing sport, and the numbers give particular context to what has transpired, how spectacular Wilson has fared, and room for optimism shifting ahead.
Now for comparable views for NFL defenses. Listed below are the air yardage numbers:
The Pittsburgh Steelers protection lands above the imply in each knowledge factors. Their higher mark is encouragingly limiting offenses to five.4 CAY (Fifteenth), and their barely above the imply 7.6 IAY ranks seventeenth. Above-average, however this defensive minded Steelers workforce can stand to enhance, little question.
Within the first 4 weeks of 2024, Pittsburgh’s protection allowed 5.5 CAY (twenty first) and 6.4 IAY (sixth). Weeks 5 by 8, 7.6 CAY (twenty eighth) and 9.6 IAY ranks a lowly thirtieth. CAY has been the extra unlucky reoccurring situation, together with a downslide the final 4 video games that hopefully improves following the bye in opposition to a tricky remaining schedule.
IAY isn’t as regarding (or shocking) for my part, luckily being up on the scoreboard as of late, with these sport circumstances resulting in deeper go makes an attempt total from opposing offenses. Essential context.
Listed below are defenses yards after catch outcomes:
Merely put, Pittsburgh’s protection wants to enhance. They’ve allowed 5.6 in YAC on the yr, which ranks twenty fourth. Taking part in off protection (too usually for my part) is a giant issue on this end result, but additionally aids permitting much less air yardage.
By means of the primary 4 video games, Pittsburgh allowed a 5.2 YAC quantity (Fifteenth), in comparison with 5.8 since (twenty fourth). So, down trending as of late in comparison with a extra common rank to start the yr.
Tackling has been a difficulty, in flip limiting yards after catch allowed extra usually. Per PFF’s charting, Steelers LB Patrick Queen has probably the most 11 complete missed tackles on the workforce, and eighth-most league-wide. Two others have over 5, beginning CBs Donte Jackson (seven) and Joey Porter Jr. (six). Essential group that hopefully enhance and restrict YAC extra usually.
The Steelers protection has allowed 22 explosive passes this season, tied for sixteenth within the NFL. Ten allowed the primary 4 video games (T-Fifteenth), in comparison with permitting simply 12 since for a powerful ninth rank. They’ve additionally allowed 72 chunk passes which lands at twenty first. 31 chunk passes by Week 4 ties for sixteenth, whereas 41 the final 4 weeks ranks Fifteenth.
Principally common total, other than an encouraging pattern as a prime ten workforce in limiting explosive performs. Largely although, we get particular context to the Steelers bend however don’t break outcomes on protection total in 2024, stepping up massive in huge moments with the league’s second-best crimson zone landing price.
Counting my blessings as a fan on the latter, for certain. However we additionally see the unit has loads they’ll enhance on, with YAC highest on my radar from at the moment’s article.
To shut, right here’s a rankings desk wrap up of all the information:
