At this time, I wished to see how NFL defenses have fared in limiting touchdowns within the crimson space. The Pittsburgh Steelers protection has had some points creep in as of late, however are elite in a number of areas as nicely, such because the crimson zone.
Let’s see the place they stand in crimson zone landing charges per drive in 2024 by means of the bye week:
Pittsburgh’s protection has the second-best 37.5-percent crimson zone landing price allowed by means of Week 8, one in all solely two groups stifling the opposition to lower than 40-percent (decrease numbers are higher).
The Steelers have confronted 24 crimson zone drives, tied for 14th-most. That means, offenses are reaching the crimson space at a mean price. But it surely’s been a top quality over amount, bend don’t break Pittsburgh protection that has stood agency within the state of affairs general with 9 crimson zone TDs allowed (T-fifth least).
Subsequent, I wished to see issues from a weekly standpoint, to see how issues have trended. Listed below are these crimson zone landing charges, this time trying on a play-by-play foundation (spikes, kneels, aborted performs eliminated) to achieve that context:
Very encouraging visible for the Steelers protection, above the 22.1-percent NFL common crimson zone TD price allowed in seven of eight video games in 2024 (by means of eight video games) and heading into their bye week.
Three of these contests included no crimson zone touchdowns: the Week 2 win in opposition to Denver (13-6), the next Week 3 20-10 victory versus the Chargers, and most just lately in Week 8 win dealing with the Giants (26-18).
Via Week 6, Pittsburgh was above-average in each sport. Within the opener, they allowed simply 5 crimson zone performs, tying for the groups second-least of 2024, dealing with 4 passes and a run. A 20-percent crimson zone TD price, permitting a 12-yard TD cross from QB Kirk Cousins to TE Kyle Pitts within the waning moments of the second quarter within the 18-10 victory.
On the brilliant aspect, some constructive performs from the protection. EDGE T.J. Watt offered a run deal with for a lack of three on the 10-yard line whereas DL Cam Heyward pressuring a throwaway cross, and and LB Payton Wilson offered a strong third and purpose deal with on a RB catch.
Week Two’s 0.0-percent TD price featured eight makes an attempt confronted, the group’s most of their three crimson zone shutout video games, with 5 passes and three runs that had been saved out of the tip zone. Compared, the matching 0.0-percent price the next Week 3 sport, the Steelers protection was their lowest crimson zone makes an attempt allowed (three runs, one cross).
Together with shutting the 2 groups out within the crimson zone, CB Cory Trice Jr. had an finish zone interception off a pleasant learn and peel off his project in Week 2. Pittsburgh stood agency in opposition to three makes an attempt simply exterior the two-minute warning in that shut contest, together with a QB hit from Heyward on a 3rd down incompletion.
Heyward additionally stepped up in Week Three on back-to-back performs, plowing by means of for a lack of one run deal with and a third and eight cross rush effecting a nasty throw incompletion in Week Three.
The Steelers protection allowed their most crimson zone makes an attempt of 2024 by far of 17 in Week 4, ten runs and 7 passes, permitting a 17.6-percent crimson zone TD price to Indianapolis. Pittsburgh sadly allowed three TDs, all from the crimson zone, an enormous issue of their 27-24 defeat.
An early first quarter 2-yard run from HB Jonathan Taylor, four-yard cross from QB Joe Flacco to WR Josh Downs (first quarter), and early fourth quarter 15-yard cross to TE Drew Ogletree to surmount a 14-point lead that the Steelers sadly couldn’t fairly come again from.
The great included a mixed fourth quarter run deal with for a lack of two by LB Patrick Queen and EDGE Nick Herbig, together with some run stops (S Minkah Fitzpatrick, Watt, Heyward, Queen, S DeShon Elliott) and incomplete passes. One was a CB Joey Porter Jr. good learn finish zone breakup, however sadly a dropped interception.
Although Week 5 was additionally a loss, 20-17 versus Dallas, Pittsburgh restricted them to a 9.1-percent crimson zone TD price. On their 11 makes an attempt (six cross, 5 runs), only one crimson zone landing allowed. The unhealthy information was that 4 yard cross from QB Dak Prescott to WR Jalen Tolbert got here with 20 seconds left within the sport, and etched the Steelers second lack of 2024.
A number of splash performs as nicely: a mixed Watt/Herbig with the previous stripping it and the latter recovering the turnover, interception by CB Donte Jackson, and LB Elandon Roberts pressured fumble in run protection (Dallas recovered). Additionally, a lack of one run deal with (DL Larry Ogunjobi), cross defensed (CB Donte Jackson), Watt no achieve run deal with, and a number of cross rushes resulting in stops.
The charges then took a downtrend the next two contests. 20-percent in Week Six in opposition to Las Vegas, permitting ten makes an attempt (5 run, 5 cross) within the 32-13 win. Each TDs allowed had been within the crimson zone, a primary quarter three-yard run by RB Alexander Mattison, and late fourth quarter 9 yard cross from QB Aidan O’Connell to WR Kristian Wilkerson with the sport already at hand.
Watt and Elliott got here up massive with a pressured fumble and FR turnover, Roberts had a lack of one run deal with, and good outstretched PBU on a late third and a pair of from CB Beanie Bishop had been the principle highlights.
Now for Week 7, Pittsburgh’s solely below-average 28.6-percent crimson zone TD price allowed. The New York Jets offense had seven crimson zone performs (5 cross, two run), scoring on a primary quarter 13-yard run by RB Breece Corridor, and a second quarter one yard cross from QB Aaron Rodgers to TE Tyler Conklin (together with a transformed two-point conversion).
Towards the Jets, much less highlights, however one on the spot win and batted cross from Watt was fairly satisfying. The Steelers shut them out fully on the scoreboard within the second half, en path to handedly securing the 37-15 win.
Recalling the aforementioned crimson zone shutout within the Week 8, this implies the Pittsburgh Steelers protection has not allowed a crimson zone TD within the final six quarters of 2024.
Final sport a number of positives stand out, beginning with a run TFL from Roberts. Then, Watt made big back-to-back performs, stopping a scramble for only one yard, then offering the third down sack for a trifecta sack/FF/FR. That bought the ball again following a fumble from Steelers QB Russell Wilson, gigantic play from Watt to safe the victory.
In that 26-18 win in opposition to the Giants final week, Pittsburgh allowed simply 5 crimson zone makes an attempt, on three passes and two runs. Although the Steelers protection allowed their second-most whole factors of 2024 (18) to a different struggling New York group, it was a powerful crimson zone day.
That’s encouraging after their worst mark in Week 7, and hopefully Pittsburgh can keep above the road in opposition to some nice upcoming offenses within the latter half of the powerful 2024 schedule.
