The Pittsburgh Steelers now sit at 3-1 via Week 4. Sadly, the run recreation and protection had been unable to tug their weight, contributing to an early 17-point gap the crew was virtually, however unable to get well from in a 27-24 defeat to the Indianapolis Colts. Stripped of their identification required extra from the passing recreation, which I’ll break down on this article.
Couple of notes earlier than we bounce in. Because of Thomas Mock for his nice work that helped me be taught a lot of what I’m utilizing within the collection visually. Spikes and clear throwaways are eliminated on account of being the right situational determination, together with bats on the line of scrimmage. Two bats, a throwaway, and a spike had been eliminated this recreation.
QB Justin Fields went 22-of-34, for a 64.7-percent completion fee, his lowest of the season. That image appears to be like a bit rosier with the eliminated throws (73.3-percent), and two drops (78.6-percent). Sport circumstance performed into throwing for 312 yards and 9.2 YPA, each season-highs.
He threw for a passing TD, connecting with TE Pat Freiermuth within the purple zone for his first rating of 2024. No interceptions however did have a turnover-worthy play late recreation. Fields was additionally an element together with his legs, together with two purple zone dashing TDs.
Season-high 4 sacks was unlucky although, on him and the o-line who’ve seen higher days. A delay of recreation penalty was among the many operational points as properly. Additionally infuriating had been two fumbles: a botched snap he wasn’t prepared for, and one sack working backward and coughing it up after an enormous lack of yards. Heaps to right, however some good issues as a passer total from Fields.
Let’s begin with a easy view of the 30 charted passes, with variety of throws at every cross distance for Week 4:
#1. 0-5 air-yards: 43.3-percent. Most typical, as typical. First instance was an early 5-yard completion to RB/WR Cordarrelle Patterson aligned within the backfield, leaking of over the center open towards zone at two air-yards. To start out the second drive, a play-action boot to TE Pat Freiermuth within the flat on the line of scrimmage, with super churning YAC for seven yards.
Then early second quarter, already down 17-0. Fields hit WR George Pickens on a sit route towards zone for 4 yards. Following drive, Fields moved the pocket, flipping it to the wide-open Patterson who labored in direction of him on the scramble drill, including good YAC for 14 yards.
A 3rd quarter Third and three cease route by Pickens, catching the off-target cross outdoors his body at 5 air yards, including a little bit of YAC as properly for 9 yards. Unnecessarily stretched the ball out although, which loomed giant later within the recreation. Confronted a 2nd and 15 subsequent drive, hitting TE Darnell Washington wide-open on the cease route at 4 air-yards, including good YAC for 11 yards.
Two performs late third quarter. First, RB Najee Harris was broad open on the line of scrimmage (leak out) within the purple zone, offering 11 in YAC. After a 1st and objective false begin from OG Mason McCormick, a superb rub idea to Pickens from the slot, working outdoors to the flat however good tight protection and sadly damaged up. Fields fortunately punched in a scramble TD the subsequent play although.
Fourth quarter, down 14, it’s a cease path to Freiermuth for five yards. Below 5 minutes left, one other cease route, this time to WR Van Jefferson at 4 air-yards with good YAC to the purple zone for 12 yards. Then Fields zipped it to Freiermuth on a slot out route on Third and 5, taking successful, with valiant YAC effort to backpedal into the top zone for the much-needed landing to chop the deficit to 3.
Last drive, 2:12 left, identical scoreboard. 9-yard cease to Jefferson with some YAC, taking it to the two-minute warning. Excruciating and premature aborted snap ensued, establishing the Third and 21. Trying deep in hopes of fireworks, Fields sadly confronted stress, hit as he threw the examine all the way down to Harris for 11. Massive what-if play.
#2. 5-10 air-yards: 26.7-percent. But to be talked about was a third and 23, following an finish of play pointless roughness (G Spencer Anderson). Slant to Freiermuth at 7 air-yards although, tackled shortly for simply 8 yards. Later within the first quarter, Fields was a bit excessive to Pickens, however extra egregious was confusingly stretching submit catch on first down. Stripped for a face-palming and large purple zone fumble turnover. Steelers beating themselves.
Then it’s an out route at 6 yards to Pickens, the drive that finally ensuing of their first factors (FG) into the locker room. Skipping to the fourth quarter, Fields stood tall within the purple zone with a high quality throw to WR Calvin Austin on a comeback, making the catch on the 3-yard line.
Then Fields eludes stress on first and objective, discovering Pickens on the scramble drill, a plus throw hitting him within the fingers towards tight protection incomplete. However, Fields’ second dashing TD ensued.
Last instance was one other purple zone miscue, with Fields throwing the nook path to the top zone, whereas Pickens ran an out and the cross crusing incomplete out of bounds. Premature miscue with 3:53 left within the recreation, and a number of cross fails within the purple/finish zone had been discouraging.
T-Third. Behind-the-Line: 13.3-percent. 4 passes. Fields seemingly wanted a minute (following a roughing the passer) with a really inaccurate swing cross to Harris incomplete. Second quarter featured a spotlight, Fields side-arming the cross round stress to Washington within the flat. Confirmed grown-man power planting the defender on a stiff-arm getting wow YAC down the sideline and a hurdle for good measure on the 20-yard achieve.
Third quarter, Fields was hit, forcing a late inaccurate examine all the way down to Harris damaged up. Final instance got here early fourth quarter, standing tall regardless of one other massive QB hit, getting it to Harris on the display (negative-5 air-yards). Good block in entrance together with plus cuts and exposing angles for a 32-yard explosive play. Pittsburgh has lacked display success for some time. Seems, it’s authorized for them to run a profitable display play.
T-Third. Explosive (20-plus air-yards): 13.3-percent. First instance didn’t come till 5:16 within the third quarter. Massive scramble drill play from Fields, hitting Pickens on a deep go-ball dime at 31 air-yards, with some YAC on the much-needed explosive to the purple zone on a scoring drive. The remaining had been fourth quarter. 5:14 left on Third and a pair of, Fields stands tall for one more fairly go-ball pitch and catch with YAC for 37 yards, enormous conversion within the comeback try.
Others got here within the waning moments. 2nd and 21 (following the aborted snap) Fields steps up within the pocket, quick on the go-ball to Pickens and damaged up by the defender. 42 seconds left on 4th and 10, one other step up was required, Fields overthrew it to Jefferson for a close to interception. Powerful scenario they dug themselves, sadly no late recreation magic.
#5. 10-15 air-yards: 10.0-percent. Included right here was one other fail, Third and 4 within the third quarter. Fields tried to laser it to Freiermuth, who ran a slant from broad out alignment, however tight protection and cross breakup from the defender. Solely cross on this vary previous ten yards.
#6. 15-20 air-yards: 6.7-percent. Two passes. Early within the recreation, good presence for a pleasant throw/catch to Austin, a cease route towards zone and held on upon a giant hit for the Third and 9 conversion. Earlier than halftime, Fields eluded stress for one more scramble drill, totting the road of scrimmage and side-arming the tight window throw to Freiermuth at 16 air-yards. Nice contested seize, pressured missed sort out, and churning YAC for an encouraging 29-yard explosive play.
High quality over amount right here, extra please,
Listed below are the dots of completions/incompletions for the sport:
Most passes at ten air-yards or much less as typical. Continued over the center utilization is nice, together with good connection there. Majority of incompletions on/outdoors the numbers, together with 50-percent on explosives.
Completion Charges By Distance:
FIELDS:
Behind-the-line: 2/4 (50-percent).
0-5 air-yards: 12/13 (92.3-percent).
5-10 air-yards: 6/8 (75.0-percent).
10-15 air-yards: 0/3 (0.0-percent).
15-20 air-yards: 2/2 (100-percent).
Explosive: 2/4 (50.0-percent).
0-5 and 15-20 was cash whereas behind the road, explosives, and significantly 10-15 (0.0-percent) had been negatives.
Completion Charges By Location:
FIELDS:
Outdoors left numbers: 9/12 (75.0-percent).
Left numbers-left hash: 3/3 (100-percent).
Inside hashes: 3/3 (100-percent).
Proper hash-right numbers: 3/4 (75.0-percent).
Outdoors proper numbers: 3/7 (42.9-percent).
Outdoors proper numbers stands out because the lone damaging, apparently. Left numbers-left hash was a cash spot, together with an explosive and the lone passing landing, together with an ideal fee contained in the hashes.
Now for the heat-maps for charted-passes, then completions solely:
Greater change within the two charts this week, with the dearth of intermediate air-yards success, and couple of unsuccessful explosive misses within the last minutes of the sport.
Subsequent, right here’s a knowledge recap of the 71 charted throws within the 2024 common season:
#1. 0-5 air yards: 42.6-percent. Beforehand 42.3-percent. 2023 35.0-percent.
#2. 5-10 air yards: 27.7-percent. Beforehand 28.2-percent. 2023 23.8-percent.
#3. Behind-the-line: 16.8-percent. Beforehand 18.3-percent. 2023 18.5-percent.
T-4th. 10-15 air yards: 9.9-percent. Beforehand 9.9-percent. 2023 13.0-percent.
T-4th. Explosive: 9.9-percent. Beforehand 8.5-percent. 2023 12.4-percent.
#6. 15-20 air yards: 6.9-percent. Beforehand 7.0-percent. 2023 10.8-percent.
Completion Charges By Distance:
FIELDS:
Behind-the-line: 13/17 (76.5-percent).
0-5 air-yards: 38/43 (88.4-percent).
5-10 air-yards: 22/28 (78.6-percent).
10-15 air-yards: 5/10 (50.0-percent).
15-20 air-yards: 3/7 (42.9-percent).
Explosive: 5/10 (50.0-percent).
Completion Charges By Location:
FIELDS:
Outdoors left numbers: 28/38 (73.7-percent).
Left numbers-left hash: 10/14 (71.4-percent).
Inside hashes: 8/10 (80.0-percent).
Proper hash-right numbers: 13/15 (86.7-percent).
Outdoors proper numbers: 18/24 (75.0-percent).
To shut, listed here are the dots and warmth maps for all charted makes an attempt, then completions solely: