Steelers Passing Charts: Week 8 Vs. Giants

The Pittsburgh Steelers are actually 6-2, on a three-game profitable streak, heading into their bye week atop the AFC North following their 26-18 victory in opposition to the New York Giants (2-6).

Couple of notes earlier than we bounce in. Because of Thomas Mock for his nice work that helped me study a lot of what I’m utilizing within the sequence visually. Spikes and clear throwaways are eliminated attributable to being the proper situational resolution and bats on the line of scrimmage. One spike was eliminated, and a swing go counted as a run is added.

In QB Russell Wilson’s second begin, we continued to see the passing sport positively open up. 250-plus yards in every of his begins, which already matches the quantity Fields had in six video games.

278 passing yards and a sharper 20/28 for a considerably improved 71.4 completion price in comparison with his debut (55.2). Although the offense’s level complete was sufficient to win in Pittsburgh’s id, only one passing TD, securing victory with 4 Chris Boswell area objectives and a Calvin Austin 73-yard punt return TD.

The refreshing half for the go sport was a extra common skill to maneuver down the sphere, however sadly going 0/4 in TDs on purple zone journeys. Largest hopeful change after the bye, which may actually lead this crew excessive of some already encouraging play.

4/5 explosive performs for the offense had been passes, together with the 29-yard TD go to Austin for his second rating and greater than half of Pittsburgh’s factors. Profitable in totality, with a whopping 17 performs of 10-plus yards, with the go and run sport buzzing total.

Wilson’s improved passing efficiency included throwing on the transfer, together with some spectacular dimes on continued heavy play-action utilization. Taking 4 sacks was an unlucky flipside in opposition to the NFL’s finest protection within the stat. Hopefully, that cleans up transferring ahead, together with a nerve-racking late-game Wilson fumble on a scramble.

As a passer, although, Wilson appeared spry.

Let’s begin with a easy view of the 28 charted passes, with the variety of throws at every go distance for Week 8:

Steelers Passing Charts: Week 8 Vs. Giants

#1. 0-5 air-yards: 28.6-percent. Two examples first drive. This early 2nd and 5 was to WR Van Jefferson, who was extra concerned, and an out route at 4 air yards and matching acquire. Subsequent was a dire Third and 20 following a negated TD to WR George Pickens (T Broderick Jones facemask), simply taking the flat at one air yard in opposition to off protection to RB Jaylen Warren with a minimize and YAC, however simply 9 yards for the FG settle.

Two extra four-yard features got here one drive three (second quarter). This 1st and 10 was one other backfield goal, to RB Najee Harris huge open on the check-down and including YAC for the 13-yard acquire. Then a third and 4 arose, the place Pickens was freed on an out by a vertical route, making the minimize and forcing two missed tackles and good churn as nicely for 14 yards.

The opposite 4 air yardages had been the final two throws earlier than halftime. The primary was to Austin on a cease, with two good WR blocks in entrance for extra YAC and 13 yards. Following the eliminated spike on 2nd and 10 with seven seconds left, taking one other check-down in opposition to deep protection that was tackled instantly for 4 yards into the locker room.

On the primary drive of the Third quarter, Pittsburgh confronted Third and 13 following a sack (C Ryan McCollum/G Mason McCormick). Wilson focused Freiermuth for the primary time (lastly) within the flat at two air yards. Regardless of good YAC effort, the eight-yard acquire was stopped nicely quick.

Then, within the early fourth quarter, following a McCormick maintain and Wilson’s five-yard designed run, it’s 2nd and 15. Compelled to maneuver within the pocket (G Isaac Seumalo preliminary strain), Wilson was capable of flip it to Harris at three air yards, in a position so as to add to that for a seven-yard acquire—so, far more success within the first half at this distance.

#2. 5-10 air-yards: 25.0-percent. The primary play of the sport began issues properly, popping out with a play-action boot, promoting run to the protection, and getting it to Austin on the out at six air yards with house and YAC for 12 yards.

Drive three (second quarter) featured two performs. First was one other play-action boot however to the left. Hit on the go (Jefferson) on an inaccurate underthrow to WR Scotty Miller, who sat over the center close to the sticks at 9 air yards. The very subsequent 2nd and 10, Wilson hit Jefferson on one other sit route, taking the six air yarder with a decisive inside minimize for YAC and 12 yards.

Later in the identical quarter, it’s 2nd and 13. Wilson bails rapidly to his left, finally discovering TE MyCole Pruitt, who sat and labored into his imaginative and prescient at seven air yards, and his YAC gaining ten yards.

Two extra on the next-to-last drive. 2nd and 13 is the scenario once more, going to Pickens on the cease at six air yards, the place he’s tackled instantly. The next Third and seven was a pleasant slot out path to Freiermuth simply previous the sticks (eight air yards), with a pair in YAC for the 11-yard conversion.

Final instance was a play-action boot left, with Jefferson operating a nook route, flattening well to an out to open house, including some YAC for one more chain mover. Largely profitable go distance.

T-Third. Behind-the-Line: 14.3-percent. 4 passes. First was the lone drop of the sport, a play-action check-down to Harris, scoping out the blades of grass in entrance a bit too early.

Then two consecutive examples, drive 4 second quarter. Third and an extended 12, Wilson hits Warren on the swing go, displaying plus imaginative and prescient for YAC together with a pleasant churn and pickup of 18 yards for an unbelievable conversion. Subsequent prerogative was to get is to Pickens fast on the WR display, with a pleasant block from T Dan Moore in entrance aiding good YAC and the 11-yard acquire.

Late third quarter, Wilson dumps it to Harris, however defenders are paid to play too. The LB got here in scorching and free to gentle him up rapidly for the TFL on the catch level (-3). Hit and miss outcomes.

T-Third. Explosive (20-plus air-yards): 14.3-percent. Additionally 4 performs, curiously from the waning moments of the third quarter on. Go ball from Wilson to Miller that matches a season-high 42 air yards (additionally from Wilson), however he underthrows his velocity a bit and is unable to reel on this contested likelihood or both goal this sport.

Subsequent was an enormous Third and 11, a 36-yarder to Jefferson, who made a improbable catch and adjustment on the underthrown again shoulder proper alongside the sideline. Wow.

Then, a sleek of a throw from Wilson on Third and eight to Austin, who received free on an incredible nook route, turning on the jets for separation. Nice placement on Wilson’s throws, dropping it in at 26 air yards and waltz in for the 29-yard TD for the comfy 23-9 lead.

The ultimate go was additionally an incredible factor of magnificence. Play-action roll left, with Wilson delivering a 43-yard correct bomb at 35 air yards to Pickens, who made a plus catch as nicely, almost staying inbounds for the potential YAC for a home name. Good issues come to those that wait, which was true for Wilson’s moonballs all late within the sport.

T-Fifth. 10-15 air-yards: 10.7-percent. A 2nd and purpose, second drive, was a missed alternative. Wilson anticipated Jefferson to sit down within the open space of the top zone (14 air yards), if that’s the case a probable TD. The next Third and purpose additionally failed, an prolonged play the place Wilson triggered late in hopes for Austin behind the top zone (11 air yards), however sadly, tipped and in addition incomplete.

The opposite was mid-second-quarter drive three. This was the flukiest miscue: Wilson discovered Pickens behind the endzone for the purple zone TD at 15 air yards, however upon overview, it was overturned as he clicked the identical foot twice as an alternative of getting each toes in. Irritating outcomes on all three passes and potential touchdowns, ugh.

T-Fifth. 15-20 air-yards: 10.7-percent. But to be talked about was 2nd and three on drive two. One other play-action roll proper, with Wilson discovering TE Darnell Washington for his lone goal, a 16-air yard nook route with the trailing defender tripping. Led to wholesome YAC down the sideline, together with a stiff-arm and almost staying in bounds after beating one other defender on the 29-yard acquire.

Final got here on the third drive. Wilson surveys within the purple zone on second and purpose, however good protection, extending the scramble drill proper, ready for one thing to unlock. Lastly launches towards the sideline to Warren as he takes a QB hit, who corralled it (16 air yards) however was out of bounds.

One other potential six factors off the board, however encouraging transferring ahead. Seeing the potential of a potent offense has been a rarity, and a capability to gentle up the scoreboard is so refreshing. Knock on wooden, they maximize it post-bye in a gauntlet remaining schedule.

Listed below are the dots of completions/incompletions for the sport:

Quick space connection clearly jumps out positively, getting it to playmakers for YAC a lot of the sport. 1/6 from 9 to 16 air yards was clearly a adverse, with extra intermediate points than his debut. 3/4 explosive performs saved in the direction of the top of the sport, displaying good deep ball accuracy and connection total.

Completion Charges By Distance:

WILSON:

Behind-the-line: 3/4 (75-percent).

0-5 air-yards: 8/8 (100-percent).

5-10 air-yards: 6/7 (85.7-percent).

10-15 air-yards: 0/3 (0-percent).

15-20 air-yards: 1/3 (33.3-percent).

Explosive: 3/4 (75-percent).

The intermediate vary was the bugaboo, in any other case very strong charges.

Completion Charges By Location:

WILSON:

Outdoors left numbers: 8/8 (100-percent).

Left numbers-left hash: 4/4 (100-percent).

Inside hashes: 0/1 (0-percent).

Proper hash-right numbers: 5/7 (71.4-percent).

Outdoors proper numbers: 4/8 (50-percent).

Wilson was curiously excellent outdoors the left hashes, however a lot much less profitable to the appropriate, and just one go (incomplete) between the hashes.

Now for the warmth maps for charted passes, then completions solely:

The 2 visuals could shock contemplating the yardage output, however the technique was largely to get it to your playmakers in house, and the receivers delivered with over 100 YAC yards. That’s been the case in each of Wilson’s begins, in comparison with two for Fields (six video games). Russ cooked from the recipe of lulling the protection with quick passing and nice connection on late-game moon balls.

Subsequent, right here’s Wilson and Fields’ 204 charted throws of the 2024 common season:

#1. 0-5 air yards: 41.7-percent. Beforehand 43.8-percent. 2023 35.0-percent.

#2. 5-10 air yards: 24.5-percent. Beforehand 27.8-percent. 2023 23.8-percent.

#3. Explosive: 13.2-percent. Beforehand 13.1-percent. 2023 12.4-percent.

#4. Behind-the-line: 12.7-percent. Beforehand 12.5-percent. 2023 18.5-percent.

#5. 10-15 air yards: 9.8-percent. Beforehand 9.7-percent. 2023 13.0-percent.

#6. 15-20 air yards: 7.4-percent. Beforehand 6.8-percent. 2023 10.8-percent.

In one other week with Wilson because the starter, explosives moved as much as the only third rank after tying with behind the road final week. Downticks in 0-10 air yard passes in comparison with Fields, with will increase elsewhere and 15-20 being the most important enhance, encouragingly.

WILSON:

Behind-the-line: 4/6 (66.7-percent).

0-5 air-yards: 17/20 (85.0-percent).

5-10 air-yards: 8/14 (57.1-percent).

10-15 air-yards: 0/4 (0-percent).

15-20 air-yards: 4/6 (66.7-percent).

Explosive: 5/7 (71.4-percent).

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 (50.0-percent).

15-20 air-yards: 5/9 (55.6-percent).

Explosive: 6/20 (30.0-percent).

The one distance Wilson didn’t enhance on from his debut was intermediate, which can hopefully be the case after the bye. Wilson has clearly been extra profitable previous 15 air yards, whereas Fields has the stronger marks at ten air yards or much less.

Completion Charges By Location:

WILSON:

Outdoors left numbers: 12/17 (70.6-percent).

Left numbers-left hash: 7/10 (70.0-percent).

Inside hashes: 0/1 (0.0-percent).

Proper hash-right numbers: 7/10 (70.0-percent).

Outdoors proper numbers: 11/16 (68.8-percent).

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).

Wilson’s charges are largely higher, with the exception being contained in the hashes and to the appropriate numbers. Probably avoiding batted passes as a shorter QB? Shall be fascinating to see if he targets the acute center of the sphere extra transferring ahead.

To shut, listed below are the dots and warmth maps for all charted makes an attempt. NOTE: warmth maps are wider for Wilson since he has fewer passes than Fields, principally an extrapolation. Completions-only views will come, assuming Wilson continues to start out, making their future comparisons honest. I’ll hyperlink all of the weekly articles on the finish so you may evaluate the QBs performances for those who’d like: