The Pittsburgh Steelers at the moment are 4-2 and on a four-game profitable atop the AFC North after gutting out the 28-27 victory in opposition to the Washington Commanders (7-3).
Couple of notes earlier than we soar 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 result of being the right situational resolution, together with bats on the line of scrimmage. Three throwaways had been eliminated, and a display move counted as a run is added.
QB Russell Wilson is undefeated via three video games, which is what finally issues, however was extra up and down on this shut victory. Atop the highs had been three passing touchdowns, one thing that hadn’t been finished in Pittsburgh since 2021, and included the game-winning 32-yard moon ball for the comeback. The offense remained encouragingly explosive.
It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows although. Wilson went 14/28 on the stat sheet, for only a 50-percent completion fee, lowest of both Steelers starter this season. Very growth or bust, with the latter together with accuracy points, and inside that his first interception within the Black and Gold.
There have been the three throwaways, two drops, three sacks, and pressures that created a few of these points. However antsier ft than normal particularly after taking some photographs. 195 passing yards isn’t a slouching complete in Pittsburgh in comparison with current seasons, however is a low for Wilson up to now.
Threw for his longest 12.5 ADOT this recreation encouragingly, however a season-low 7.0 YPA, significantly with a number of painful moments outdoors the fourth quarter. All 4 of Pittsburgh’s explosive performs had been passes, and vastly improved their pink zone TD fee to 75-percent in Week 10, which beforehand 46.4 in 2024 (thirtieth within the NFL).
He was 1-of-4 on charted third down passes within the first half (25-percent), in comparison with 4-of-6 within the second half (66.7-percent), and 3-of-3 within the fourth quarter. Clutch, little question, however actually wish to see extra consistency in opposition to nice upcoming opponents the remainder of the best way, sustaining drives and enjoying avoid potent offenses.
Let’s begin with a easy view of the 26 charted passes, with variety of throws at every move distance for Week 10:
#1. 0-5 air-yards: 34.6-percent. Commonest once more, per normal. The primary move of the sport was a well-recognized play-action boot proper, getting it to TE Darnell Washington within the flat at one air yard, decreasing his head and churning for YAC and 6-yards.
One instance on the second drive was an excellent throw on an out path to WR George Pickens, however slipped and dropped at 4 air yards. To start the second quarter, RB Jaylen Warren caught the checkdown over the center on the line of scrimmage, capable of get simply three yards. Couple performs afterward Third and 6, Wilson hit Pickens on a fast slant at 4 air yards, however tackled shortly for the five-yard fail.
Pleasurable area place off a Commanders’ muffed punt. This 2nd and objective on the three yard line was a scramble drill (T Dan Moore/G Mason McCormick), the place Wilson zipped it to WR Calvin Austin ultimately zone close to the entrance pylon, contested and off his arms on one other early drop. Wilson additionally had Pickens wide-open within the again nook of the tip zone on the identical aspect.
Subsequent play Third and objective, three receivers to the precise, together with Freiermuth tight. Nice idea, operating a flat route the place the others created authorized choose motion to create area for the pinpoint throw and three-yard landing catch (13-7, second quarter).
Following drive, Wilson tried connecting with Austin within the flat, a miscue the place both the depth and/or accuracy was off. First drive of the third quarter, it’s Third and eight. Wilson did an awesome job getting this dump-off out regardless of a heavy blitz and large QB hit, with inexperienced pastures aplenty for Warren on the line of scrimmage, busting it for a 26-yard acquire on the primary explosive play of the sport.
Remaining instance was the final drive, slightly below 4 minutes left. One other Third down conversion, a pleasant decisive throw to Freiermuth on the in-breaker over the center at 5-air yards, and 6-yard acquire.
#2. Explosive (20-plus air-yards): 26.9-percent. A lot increased frequency, and doesn’t get any higher than the primary instance. On the second drive, Pittsburgh is within the pink zone (16 yard line). Wilson places up the jump-ball to his elite playmaker in Pickens, operating a slot nook for a miraculous leaping catch with spinning physique management and surviving the bottom to place the Steelers on the scoreboard first. Jaw-dropping.
Later within the second quarter, the opposite finish of the spectrum. This Third and 10 fail was a poor resolution, focusing on Austin in double protection on a deep nook/crossing idea that was overthrown at 27 air yards.
Then within the Third quarter, Pittsburgh’s backed up and down three factors. Wilson confronted rapid stress (T Broderick Jones/McCormick), unleashing a deep go ball to WR Van Jefferson, however threw outdoors of him and unable to trace it towards the sideline at 34 air yards incomplete.
The ultimate drive of the third quarter, Pittsburgh confronted Third and 14 following a sack. The hits and duress he’d confronted could be on my thoughts too, however not an excuse for pleased ft that he by no means set on the longest heave for a 2024 Steelers QB (52 air yards), with the opposite thrown prayer to Pickens going for his first interception of the 12 months.
They bought that bitter style out of their mouth within the fourth quarter. Wilson throws and absolute drop within the bucket, and nice go ball catch simply inbounds in opposition to tight protection for the explosive 24-yard acquire, wow. Good ensuing drive of runs that was fueled by this play, however sadly crashed to a halt with a Warren fumble turnover on the objective line and down by seven.
2:27 left. Third and 9. Wilson confronted fast stress (G Isaac Seumalo), fast releasing once more earlier than his ft are set, with this moonball dwelling as much as its identify to the heavens. Model new WR Mike Williams is called a deep menace, offering an incredible monitor over his head and making the over-shoulder seize on the entrance pylon for the 32-yard recreation profitable TD. What a play.
T-Third. Behind-the-Line: 15.4-percent. Ended of the primary quarter, Wilson bought the display to Austin, who made an excellent minimize with YAC for seven yards. The next drive began within the pink zone (muffed punt turnover), with this 2nd and seven play-action boot left to Freiermuth going for a pleasant eight-yard pickup contained in the 5 yard line.
Early fourth quarter is one other display, this one to Pickens who offered powerful YAC for 4 yards, however was clearly doing additional and letting out some frustrations following the interception. An pointless hurdle, extraordinarily free with the ball (one-handed, begging for a strip), and stiff-arming however clearly grabbing the facemask (fortunately not known as).
Remaining instance was a TE display to Washington, nicely outdoors his body as Wilson didn’t even look, with a defender proper there. Fortunately simply an incompletion and no more, dangerous.
T-Third. 5-10 air-yards: 15.4-percent. But to be talked about was a 3rd quarter 2nd and eight, down ten factors. Wilson play-actions, however C Zach Frazier is beat with RB Najee Harris choosing it up however pushed again, effecting an inaccurate (low/behind) in-breaker supposed for TE MyCole Pruitt at eight air yards between the hashes.
Early fourth quarter, down by six, it’s Third and 1. Wilson makes an excellent throw to Pickens open on a slant (off protection) at seven air yards, together with YAC for the 12-yard acquire. Final instance got here with 2:31 left, identical rating. Wilson is blitzed (Warren good pickup, however getting pushed again). Maybe rushed the timing with Washington’s crossing route over the center, but in addition seemingly held as he tried to get his head round, falling incomplete.
#5. 10-15 air-yards: 7.7-percent. Two examples, each at 13 air yards. First was a 3rd quarter 2nd and 20 following a sack. Loved the decision and execution, with Wilson making a pleasant throw on an intermediate slant, and Pickens offering nice YAC. Bounced off two compelled missed tackles simply, exploding upfield and toying with the protection for a implausible 34-yard acquire to the pink zone. Large play to chop into the ten-point deficit.
The opposite was additionally huge on the ultimate drive, 2nd and 16, nonetheless down six. Wilson desires Freiermuth, however good protection on him and throughout the board. Pump fakes, extends with a scramble drill proper, zipping a good throw to Austin, who hangs on regardless of a strong and fast hit for a manageable third down and this finally game-winning sequence.
#6. 15-20 air-yards: 3.8-percent. Only one move, Third and eight, first quarter. Wilson triggers to Jefferson deep, nevertheless it’s too far/outdoors of him, maybe wanting the back-shoulder and never adjusting. This was a giant fail that led to a 3 and out after the particular groups faux punt fail, unable to reply Washington capitalizing on the scoreboard.
Listed below are the dots of completions/incompletions for the sport:
Wilson clearly let it rip, with seven explosive air yard passes, principally to the left. Favored that aspect usually, significantly struggling to attach outdoors the numbers. However when he did, oh boy. Two between the hash misses, each to TEs. Good connection to the precise, and principally barren over the center previous ten air yards.
Completion Charges By Distance:
WILSON:
Behind-the-line: 3/4 (75-percent).
0-5 air-yards: 7/9 (77.8-percent).
5-10 air-yards: 2/4 (50-percent).
10-15 air-yards: 2/2 (100-percent).
15-20 air-yards: 0/1 (0.0-percent).
Explosive: 3/7 (42.9-percent).
Good on two makes an attempt at 10-15, which had been additionally impactful performs. In any other case, decrease charges at almost each move distance than final week, with behind the road being the exception.
Completion Charges By Location:
WILSON:
Outdoors left numbers: 3/10 (30-percent).
Left numbers-left hash: 5/7 (71.4-percent).
Inside hashes: 0/2 (0.0-percent).
Proper hash-right numbers: 3/3 (100-percent).
Outdoors proper numbers: 3/3 (100-percent).
Although it was much less frequent, Wilson was good to the precise together with two TDs, in comparison with lacking each between the hash targets and simply 30 p.c outdoors the left numbers (1 TD, 1 INT).
Now for the heat-maps for charted-passes, then completions solely:
The primary makes an attempt view is by far the heathiest of 2024, and sure since I began these articles in 2022. The completions solely view illustrates missed alternatives downfield. Wider map than final week, that featured increased completion charges.
So, it’s refreshing to see the aggression and quantity for large air yards, nevertheless it’s a decrease chance scenario that had miscues and accuracy points as nicely. Fortunately a couple of linked in an enormous manner.
Subsequent, right here’s Wilson and Fields’ 230 charted throws of the 2024 common season:
#1. 0-5 air yards: 40.9-percent. Beforehand 41.7-percent. 2023 35.0-percent.
#2. 5-10 air yards: 26.1-percent. Beforehand 24.5-percent. 2023 23.8-percent.
#3. Explosive: 14.8-percent. Beforehand 13.2-percent. 2023 12.4-percent.
#4. Behind-the-line: 13.0-percent. Beforehand 12.7-percent. 2023 18.5-percent.
#5. 10-15 air yards: 9.6-percent. Beforehand 9.8-percent. 2023 13.0-percent.
#6. 15-20 air yards: 7.0-percent. Beforehand 7.4-percent. 2023 10.8-percent.
Probably the most notable upticks this week had been explosives, as you would possibly’ve guessed, together with 5-10 air yards. Behind the road was additionally a tick extra, whereas the remainder had been lower than season averages. It’s additionally fascinating to match 2023 to this 12 months, with extra of a pattern and all of the modifications.
WILSON:
Behind-the-line: 7/10 (70.0-percent).
0-5 air-yards: 23/29 (79.3-percent).
5-10 air-yards: 10/18 (55.6-percent).
10-15 air-yards: 2/6 (33.3-percent).
15-20 air-yards: 4/7 (57.1-percent).
Explosive: 8/14 (57.1-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).
Wilson improved behind the road and 10-15 charges, whereas the whole lot else down-ticked. Having a stronger completion fee previous 15 yards in comparison with 5-15 is fascinating. Hopefully the latter improves. Wilson has clearly been extra profitable previous 15 air yards than Fields, who has the stronger marks at much less air yards when issues had been extra conservative general.
Completion Charges By Location:
WILSON:
Outdoors left numbers: 15/27 (55.6-percent).
Left numbers-left hash: 12/17 (70.6-percent).
Inside hashes: 0/3 (0.0-percent).
Proper hash-right numbers: 10/13 (76.9-percent).
Outdoors proper numbers: 15/20 (75.0-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 higher marks (than Fields) are left numbers-left hash and out of doors the precise numbers. Contained in the hashes remains to be the craziest distinction, with Wilson missing success and quantity. Presumably avoiding batted passes as a shorter QB? Shall be fascinating to see if Wilson targets the intense center of the sphere extra shifting ahead.
To shut, listed below are the dots together with warmth maps for all charted makes an attempt and completions solely:
A caveat is Wilson’s maps are nonetheless a bit beneficiant with a smaller pattern dimension of throws, significantly completions solely. However, shut sufficient to lastly illustrate what we’ve felt since he took over, the passing recreation has opened up greater than we’ve seen in Pittsburgh for fairly a while.
That can certainly be wanted the remainder of 2024, because the offense hopefully continues to profit on the scoreboard.
