The Pittsburgh Steelers are actually 8-2, on a five-game profitable streak and in pole place atop the AFC North after a important rivalry win in opposition to the Baltimore Ravens (7-4). Let’s have a look at their passing chart from Sunday’s recreation.
Couple of notes earlier than we leap in. Due to 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 on account of being the right situational determination, together with bats on the line of scrimmage. 4 throwaways (season-high) and a bat had been eliminated.
Not QB Russell Wilson’s greatest day, with protection and particular groups stepping up.
Specifically his first of 4 video games with out a TD, and second straight recreation with an INT. The latter was an pointless threat within the crimson zone, placing the ball in harms means, uncharacteristic for 2024 Pittsburgh QBs (three all 12 months).
General, 23-of-36 on the stat sheet, every highs for Wilson this season, and most makes an attempt for both starter. Not shocking going through Baltimore’s prime run protection heading into the matchup. A 63.9 completion proportion was additionally lower than fascinating, together with 5.7 YPA and 6.3 ADOT every at season-lows.
Wilson’s 83.9-percent adjusted completion price was significantly better, so his efficiency wasn’t as inaccurate as different outings when eradicating throwaways, and three drops, probably the most in 2024 so far. Additionally confronted 13 pressures, contributing to 4 sacks, every tying for probably the most by means of his 4 video games. That led to operating round greater than deliberate, and resulting in some comprehensible antsy-ness at instances.
Possessed the ball effectively, transferring it decently together with 205 passing yards, however completely struggled in situational soccer. On late downs, the offense was 4-of-17 (23.5-percent), and 0-4 in crimson zone TDs. The latter has been the larger difficulty, and can hopefully be one of many larger enhancements beginning Thursday night time in opposition to one other divisional opponent: the Cleveland Browns.
Let’s begin with a easy view of the 31 charted passes, with variety of throws at every go distance for Week Ten:
#1. 0-5 air-yards: 38.7-percent. First play was a test down on the line to RB Najee Harris after wanting downfield, with area and churning YAC for 7-yards. The subsequent go was at 3-air yards, a 4-yard cease path to WR George Pickens tackled shortly. Each had been first downs, however adopted by two back-to-back throwaways and a FG.
On drive three, 1st and 10 RB Jaylen Warren flat route catch on the line, FMT however corralled for simply three yards. Eventual 4+1 fail (stymied runs), rating nonetheless 3-0.
Subsequent, a 2nd and 10, drive 5. Wilson hits TE Pat Freiermuth on an out route at 4 air yards, with area and an inside reduce for 9 yards, one among solely two targets (and catches) although. Couple performs later, Wilson threw beneath duress (T Broderick Jones), hitting the late flat/out from WR Ben Skowronek from tight alignment at 4-air yards, the place he was tackled shortly. third and 4 sack adopted (Jones). A discipline purpose gave Pittsburgh a 6-0 lead.
Wilson’s fourth and remaining sack adopted, by mid second quarter. Grateful that improved, however extra ache subsequent play. Dump-off over the center at 5 air yards, with Harris trying to roam earlier than securing the catch and it’s dropped on 2nd and 20. Essential in having to punt.
1st and 10, nearing halftime. Cease path to Pickens in opposition to off protection at 5-air yards, however solely a acquire of 6 missing YAC to date. Proper again to Pickens on 2nd and 4, a fast out pushed out of bounds, impacting his capability to get his second foot in-bounds on this overturned catch-to-incompletion. third and 4 scramble fail ensued: punt, down 7-6.
Pittsburgh linebacker Patrick Queen delivered one other takeaway, an extra crimson zone alternative earlier than halftime. First down was Freiermuth’s different goal, open in zone at 4 air yards, and five-yard acquire. This implies no second half targets, and excessive on my radar to vary transferring ahead. One other drive fails, however FG will get the 9-7 locker room lead.
Second half. First instance was a play-action checkdown over the center to Warren, with room and a defender slipping, capitalizing with eight YAC and ten-yard chain-mover. Later identical drive, it’s third and three. Wilson checked it right down to Warren in need of the sticks (on the line), however unable to YAC sufficient for simply two yards and stable sort out. FG, 12-7 lead.
Late third quarter, it’s third and seven within the crimson zone. Out path to WR Van Jefferson off his fingers and dropped, together with being focused in need of the sticks once more. They’ve, and did miss tackles, however not your greatest man in these phrases Pittsburgh. Triple irritating fail.
#2. 5-10 air-yards: 25.8-percent. 4 but to be talked about. Early second quarter, Wilson desires Pickens, then runs within the pocket like he’s in a hamster wheel, circling again to him on the scramble drill on a pleasant throw at 6-air yards, an 8-yard acquire on third and 1. This was one among simply three passing conversions of the sport and nonetheless felt like pulling tooth.
Mid-second quarter, it’s third and 20. Doom and gloom beforehand (Wilson fourth sack drive), with Wilson hitting Pickens on the slant at 8-air yards, with YAC effort however gaining no extra.
One other powerful scenario, 2nd and 16, third quarter. Wilson hits Pickens on the cease route at 6-air yards, who fortunately finds a terrific YAC crease through a pressured missed sort out alongside the sideline for the 17-yard chain-mover.
Early fourth quarter, third and 5. Wilson zips in a slant to Pickens at 7-yards, hanging on to the catch regardless of an enormous hit bending his leg awkwardly. So, the go distances up to now had been the one three third down conversions of the sport.
#3. Behind-the-Line: 22.6-percent. Seven passes. First drive, the third 1st and 10 go was a fast display to Pickens. Not blocked effectively, operating into Freiermuth who was pushed again, however in a position to get a little bit of YAC to the sideline for 2 yards. Subsequent charted go on drive two got here right here. Faux toss, WR display to Cordarrelle Patterson, corralled by a free tackler for no acquire.
Early second quarter, a RB display to Harris was profitable, that includes good imaginative and prescient/cuts and nice downfield blocking (G’s Isaac Seumalo, Mason McCormick) for an explosive 20-yard acquire.
A lot later within the third quarter, again to a different display to Harris on first down. House, stiff-arm, and YAC for 4 yards. Focused a whopping seven yards behind the road restricted the acquire. Similar drive, 2nd and seven. McCormick will get out in entrance of one other RB display, aiding Warren’s reduce and YAC for a pleasant 12-yard drive extender.
On the ultimate drive, Wilson dumps to Harris (blitz), who provides nice effort together with a pressured missed tackles on an enormous pop however goes for a lack of one on 2nd and 6. Then, late remaining drive, a slot display to WR Calvin Austin was blown up by a free tackler within the open discipline for a lack of one on his solely catch.
So, a combined bag that Pittsburgh wants to dam up extra constantly, with RB success and WR failures.
T-4th. 10-15 air-yards: 12.9-percent. 4 examples. Drive 5, it’s a play-action boot proper the place the accuracy to Pickens was a bit low on his intermediate out route, a catch he’s actually able to however incomplete at 14 air yards on first down.
The others got here fourth quarter, all to TE Darnell Washington, additionally all three of his targets. One other first down go, Wilson corralling a poor shotgun snap from C Zach Frazier, and the put up route between the hashes beat zone extensive open at 13 air yards, rumbling for YAC on the 25-yard acquire.
That drive ended with ache within the crimson zone, third and 5 yards to go. Wilson is confined within the pocket (Jones beat), in a position to lengthen by stiff-arming out, however his determination to lob it up (too far) to the large man goes for the tip zone interception. Arthur Smith GIF.
Mid-fourth quarter, it’s third and seven. Beats zone, getting up the seam and Wilson hitting it decisively at 11 air yards, with some YAC as effectively to select up 17 yards on the conversion. Good to see from Washington, and hope that continues together with extra involvement from others at this distance.
T-4th. Explosive (20-plus air-yards): 12.9-percent. 4 right here. Second drive third and 1, Wilson sees single protection on a go route by Austin down the left sideline however a bit brief, and goes off his shoulder pad incomplete. Catchable ball, however not precisely your contested catch man. If not Pickens, possibly the person you simply traded for that’s identified for this?
Crimson zone third and 10, final throw earlier than half. One other go-ball, concentrating on Pickens ultimately zone, however tight protection and PBU by means of his fingers and incomplete. Refs allow them to play in these conditions. FG: 9-7 lead.
Late third quarter. This one was excellent to Pickens on a double-move go ball, plucking it with late fingers in opposition to tight protection close to the sideline at 32-air yards, including one other 5 in YAC to the crimson zone on 2nd and 15. Lovely.
Ultimate go of the sport (3:46), you guessed it, one other go-ball to Pickens. It’s one other bodily WR/DB hand combating charade, however no name and the tip zone goal falling incomplete. So not an explosive day, which you’d most likely guess from the scoreboard.
#6. 15-20 air-yards: 3.2-percent. Solely instance was already talked about, the third and 10 fail simply earlier than half to Pickens at 20 air yards. Often the least widespread go distance of 2024, however particularly so in Week 11. An space I’ve been clamoring to make use of extra, however I’ll consider it once I see it.
Listed here are the dots of completions/incompletions for the sport:
The overwhelming majority of points arose outdoors the numbers together with his interception, whereas the one incompletion in any other case was the Harris drop. 4 explosive makes an attempt, all in direction of the left sideline had been clearly problematic, apart from the beautiful one to Pickens.
When Wilson went between the numbers previous ten yards, good issues occurred. Simply two makes an attempt within the fourth quarter although, each to Washington for chunk performs, and will have been an even bigger game-plan precedence for my part.
Completion Charges By Distance:
WILSON:
Behind-the-line: 7/7 (100-percent).
0-5 air-yards: 9/11 (81.8-percent).
5-10 air-yards: 6/8 (75.0-percent).
10-15 air-yards: 2/4 (50.0-percent).
15-20 air-yards: 0/1 (0.0-percent).
Explosive: 1/4 (25.0-percent).
Stable charges at ten yards or much less. Struggled in any other case, with Baltimore’s protection deserving some credit score, but additionally emphasizes how issues can really feel if the moon ball isn’t cooking.
Completion Charges By Location:
WILSON:
Exterior left numbers: 7/11 (63.6-percent).
Left numbers-left hash: 7/7 (100-percent).
Inside hashes: 2/3 (66.7-percent).
Proper hash-right numbers: 5/5 (100-percent).
Exterior proper numbers: 2/5 (40.0-percent).
The go recreation had excellent charges between the hash and numbers on either side of the sector. Spectacular, however included a protracted of 11 air yards, re-emphasizing the aforementioned untapped potential IMO. Points outdoors the numbers, the place Wilson prefers to throw, and 14-of-15 charted incompletions got here, together with the interception. Massive motive for lack of success in the event you ask me.
Now for the heat-maps for charted-passes, then completions solely:
We see the most important drop-off was proper outdoors the numbers, the place the longest completion was on the line of scrimmage. The deep blob to the left additionally decimates on the completions solely view. If not for the one completion there, would have been a miserable remaining map by way of air yards. The one completions previous ten yards had been 32, 13, and 11. Sure, take what the protection provides you, however context to the struggles and their luck in victory.
Subsequent, right here’s Wilson and Fields’ 261 charted throws of the 2024 common season:
#1. 0-5 air yards: 40.6-percent. Beforehand 40.9-percent. 2023 35.0-percent.
#2. 5-10 air yards: 26.1-percent. Beforehand 26.1-percent. 2023 23.8-percent.
#3. Explosive: 14.6-percent. Beforehand 14.8-percent. 2023 12.4-percent.
#4. Behind-the-line: 14.2-percent. Beforehand 13.0-percent. 2023 18.5-percent.
#5. 10-15 air yards: 10.0-percent. Beforehand 9.6-percent. 2023 13.0-percent.
#6. 15-20 air yards: 6.5-percent. Beforehand 7.0-percent. 2023 10.8-percent.
Ranks had been unchanged this week. The largest uptick and total shift was behind the road (expectedly), whereas 10-15 elevated, and 5-10 stood pat. Downticks included 0-5, explosive, and 15-20. Baltimore clearly inspired brief passing.
WILSON:
Behind-the-line: 14/17 (82.4-percent).
0-5 air-yards: 31/40 (77.5-percent).
5-10 air-yards: 15/26 (57.7-percent).
10-15 air-yards: 4/10 (40.0-percent).
15-20 air-yards: 4/8 (50.0-percent).
Explosive: 9/18 (50.0-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, 5-10, and 10-15 charges (nonetheless unsuccessful right here). So, 0-5, and previous 15 yards had been the regression, with the latter anticipated from earlier within the article. With Wilson at 4 video games, Fields has larger charges at every distance besides behind the road and explosive. That narrative modified after Wilson’s deep ball regression Week 11, hopefully the outlier amidst a small pattern dimension.
Completion Charges By Location:
WILSON:
Exterior left numbers: 22/38 (57.9-percent).
Left numbers-left hash: 19/24 (79.2-percent).
Inside hashes: 2/6 (33.3-percent).
Proper hash-right numbers: 15/18 (83.3-percent).
Exterior proper numbers: 17/25 (68.0-percent).
FIELDS:
Exterior 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).
Exterior proper numbers: 20/31 (64.5-percent).
Wilson doubled his contained in the hash throws, for his first completions as effectively, however not corresponding to Fields’ success. Wilson’s success between the hash and numbers in Week 11, and in 2024 stand out, and hopefully continues. Exterior the suitable numbers has been extra profitable than left, the place he has thrown probably the most. Neither had been best final recreation, and want to see a extra even break up transferring ahead.
No matter you do, be higher situationally on third down, crimson zone, and within the factors division.
To shut, listed below are the dots together with warmth maps for all charted makes an attempt and completions solely:
