The Pittsburgh Steelers are actually 4-2, getting again within the win column regardless of one other gradual begin with points on each side of the ball. Fortunately they picked it up within the second half and scored an unusually comfy 32-13 win towards the wounded Las Vegas Raiders. At present, let’s study the Steelers’ the passing efficiency.
Couple of notes earlier than we leap in. Because of 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 as a consequence of being the proper situational determination, together with bats on the line of scrimmage. One throwaway this recreation, together with two passes that don’t make the stat sheet: a two-point conversion try and a backward go.
QB Justin Fields went 14-of-24 (58.3-percent completion fee), his second week in a row with a sub-60 share. Simply 145 passing yards, his third recreation of the 12 months below 150. No passing touchdowns or interceptions, although he had three near-picks. Accuracy, decision-making, and studying the protection had been worst of the season. Three sacks and a season-high 20 pressures on him had so much to do with that however not all-encompassing.
This led to a lot of transferring the pocket and scrambling, together with 59 speeding yards and 5.9 YPA had been season highs, together with tying for a recreation finest two speeding TDs. Fortunately this married with a monster recreation, specifically RB Najee Harris, and wouldn’t have loved the offense lastly scoring extra factors in any other case.
One other Fields bugaboo was three penalties: two delay of video games and an unlawful ahead go, crossing the road of scrimmage negating a would-be passing TD. Although the scoreboard mentioned in any other case, loads of messiness from the offense and Fields that has to enhance to be aggressive towards high groups.
Let’s begin with a easy view of the 25 charted passes, with variety of throws at every go distance for Week 6:
#1. 0-5 air-yards: 44.0-percent. Most typical, as typical. The primary go of the sport was a wide-open cease over the center to Harris, catching it at 2 air-yards with plus YAC and churn which was an superior theme for an 11-yard acquire. A 2nd and 9 shortly after was TE Pat Freiermuth sitting in an open spot at 5 air yards, with a little bit of churning YAC for eight.
The opening drive ended with a third and 15, taking a flat nicely wanting the sticks to RB Jaylen Warren (gaining adverse yardage the prior two performs), wide-open however solely capable of get eight yards on the fail and settling for the FG.
One other adverse state of affairs was a 2nd and 20 (TE Connor Heyward false begin and Harris lack of 5). Conservative cease to Freiermuth at 5 air yards and 8-yard acquire, and I famous open receivers downfield.
Drive three instance was a uncommon third-and-manageable (Third and three) the place Fields prolonged and moved the pocket, discovering WR George Pickens who labored open in the direction of the sideline at 4-air yards and acquire of seven. Good pitch and catch conversion.
Subsequent was a flat to Heyward at 2 air yards close to the sideline, churning out of bounds for 4-yards. Later within the drive on 2nd and 16, one other sit to Harris over the center, taking the excessive share checkdown with strain, noting he might need discovered Freiermuth open deeper downfield with extra time.
Sadly, the drive was dire straits once more, a third and 28 as a consequence of a failed flea-flicker sack and delay of recreation. Fields once more took a brief goal, WR Calvin Austin on a shallow crosser at two air yards, the place former Steeler Robert Spillane sniffed it out with a giant hit that jarred it unfastened.
Following Fields’ first speeding landing earlier than halftime, Pittsburgh went for 2 up 12-7. A predetermined to throw a slant to Heyward was almost picked, an instance of decision-making and points studying the protection on this recreation.
One third quarter instance was Third and 18. Fields had strain, getting it to Warren on a swing go with area, however unable to make a man miss within the open discipline for simply six yards. Las Vegas bailed the fail out with a roughing the passer although, making it an explosive conversion as an alternative, and finally Harris’ spectacular second TD.
Final instance was early fourth quarter, dumping it to TE Darnell Washington at two air yards with a little bit of YAC and churn to select up simply sufficient on 2nd and 9.
#2. 5-10 air-yards: 28.0-percent. But to be talked about was a third and 12 on the unlucky state of affairs second drive. Didn’t finish any higher with a drop from Pickens on an intermediate out, hitting his arms and bobbled incomplete. Additionally, was wanting the sticks and even when caught, no assure of a conversion.
Following drive early within the second quarter, the offense moved backward once more on 2nd and 18. Fields and Pickens made a pleasant connection on an intermediate cease at ten air yards, sliding round iffy tackling effort alongside the sideline for YAC. 15 yards and a extra manageable third right down to comply with.
The subsequent 10 air yard instance was throughout a tough accuracy stretch of overthrows on this drive. This one was on 2nd and ten, crusing it over Freiermuth open alongside the sideline, attempting his finest Air Jordan leap simply to get a hand on it (to no avail).
Final two performs had been within the fourth quarter. On Third and 11, Fields is pressured (free LB) and the go hopped quick meant for Austin. Even when it was on track, the defender was proper there, and probably turnover-worthy play. After a pleasant play, Pittsburgh was actually attempting to get Pickens his first TD of 2024, however as an alternative his second drop of the sport on a purple zone/finish zone missed alternative.
A number of gamers together with Fields had their warts. However receivers, particularly your WR1 should step up higher than this, together with too many drops.
#3. Explosive (20-plus air-yards): 16.0-percent. 4 performs. First got here late first quarter, sadly one other Fields overthrow on a deep shot to Pickens at 27 air yards, outstretching over his head off his arms incomplete. Third and 10 was one other overthrown Fields/Pickens miscue at 21 air yards, on a scramble drill (strain) that stalled the third drive to a FG.
Later within the second quarter, you guessed it, one other overthrow. This one was a slot fade to Austin at 25 air yards, with a bit extra grace contemplating strain allowed by Broderick Jones. The final instance fortunately linked regardless of extra inaccuracy, this one an underthrow to Pickens on a deep crosser at 31 air yards, making a fantastic diving seize late recreation to seal the victory.
T-4th. 10-15 air-yards: 12.0-percent. One instance not mentioned but. Fields is compelled to scramble (G Isaac Seumalo strain), with a horrendous overthrow sliding left, not setting his ft and crusing out of bounds. Yuck.
T-4th. 15-20 air-yards: 12.0-percent. Third and 11 second quarter, a scramble drill with higher footwork led to a laser to Austin on the intermediate crosser at 18 air yards in a decent window for a pleasant conversion seize and explosive 20-yard acquire.
Austin was additionally the goal on the opposite third down, the place Fields confirmed nice poise within the pocket discovering the in-breaker nicely previous the sticks on Third and a pair of for the conversion. These kind of performs present Fields’ capability, however sadly far too inconsistent in Week Six.
#6. Behind-the-Line: 8.0-percent. Simply two performs. On the second drive, a RB display to Warren on 2nd and 12 was blown up by the protection for a lack of three, with none of Pittsburgh’s o-line capable of get in entrance in time.
The opposite was additionally painful, with Fields throwing a swing excessive to Warren, leaping however off his arms. Fortunately incredible hustle led to Warren recovering the backward go/fumble on 2nd and Purpose that allowed a FG a pair performs later. Whew.
Listed here are the dots of completions/incompletions for the sport:
Sadly, frequent theme, specifically miscues total at explosive distances and barely finishing any passes additional than ten air yards. Three air yard completions previous ten yards merely isn’t sufficient for constant successful. Completely different location points included much less sideline connection and quick over the center, however had been extra fundamentals than something.
Completion Charges By Distance:
FIELDS:
Behind-the-line: 1/2 (50-percent).
0-5 air-yards: 9/11 (81.8-percent).
5-10 air-yards: 3/7 (42.9-percent).
10-15 air-yards: 1/3 (33.3-percent).
15-20 air-yards: 2/2 (100-percent).
Explosive: 1/4 (25-percent).
Cash at 15-20 air yards with Austin was optimistic, albeit a small two throw pattern, together with a pleasant fee at 0-5 air yards which is extra anticipated. 50-percent or decrease in any respect different go distances.
Completion Charges By Location:
FIELDS:
Outdoors left numbers: 4/9 (44.4-percent).
Left numbers-left hash: 3/4 (75-percent).
Inside hashes: 2/2 (100-percent).
Proper hash-right numbers: 2/4 (50-percent).
Outdoors proper numbers: 3/6 (50-percent).
Far much less connection than typical exterior the numbers, normally excessive share throws for Fields and most QBs. Excellent contained in the hashes, however quick dump offs at 5 air yards or much less. Good fee left number-left hash, with a 16-air yarder to Austin the one between the numbers completion previous 5 yards.
Now for the heat-maps for charted-passes, then completions solely:
Neither chart is inspiring, particularly after they look so much like those through the two-game shedding streak. This win was despite the passing recreation total, to be frank, and hopefully will be righted by Fields, or if the efficiency warrants HC Mike Tomlin to go along with QB Russell Wilson. One factor’s for positive, hopefully the passing recreation improves, and shortly.
Subsequent, right here’s a knowledge recap of Fields’ 150 charted throws of the 2024 common season:
#1. 0-5 air yards: 43.3-percent. Beforehand 43.2-percent. 2023 35.0-percent.
#2. 5-10 air yards: 28.0-percent. Beforehand 28.0-percent. 2023 23.8-percent.
T-Third. Behind-the-line: 13.3-percent. Beforehand 14.4-percent. 2023 18.5-percent.
T-Third. Explosive: 13.3-percent. Beforehand 12.8-percent. 2023 12.4-percent.
#5. 10-15 air yards: 10.7-percent. Beforehand 10.4-percent. 2023 13.0-percent.
#6. 15-20 air yards: 6.0-percent. Beforehand 5.6-percent. 2023 10.8-percent.
The most typical distance is nearly unchanged, and actually the case for 5-10 air yards. Behind the road dipped and explosives rose, making a tie for third most. Whereas explosive connection has been fairly a difficulty, no less than the frequency has rose because the season progresses. Bump ups within the intermediate distances are welcomed as nicely.
Completion Charges By Distance:
FIELDS:
Behind-the-line: 15/20 (75.0-percent).
0-5 air-yards: 57/65 (87.7-percent).
5-10 air-yards: 30/42 (71.4-percent).
10-15 air-yards: 8/16 (50-percent).
15-20 air-yards: 5/9 (55.6-percent).
Explosive: 6/20 (30.0-percent).
Completion Charges By Location:
FIELDS:
Outdoors left numbers: 35/53 (66.0-percent).
Left numbers-left hash: 14/20 (70.0-percent).
Inside hashes: 11/13 (84.6-percent).
Proper hash-right numbers: 26/33 (78.8-percent).
Outdoors proper numbers: 20/31 (64.5-percent).
To shut, listed here are the dots and warmth maps for all charted makes an attempt, then completions solely: