The Pittsburgh Steelers now sit at 3-2 by way of Week 5, on a painful two-game shedding streak. Merely, there have been too many points on either side of the ball, together with the passing recreation.
A few notes earlier than we soar in. Because of Thomas Mock for his nice work, which helped me be taught a lot about what I’m utilizing within the visible collection. Spikes and clear throwaways are eliminated resulting from being the right situational resolution, together with bats on the line of scrimmage. Two throwaways and a bat on this recreation.
QB Justin Fields went 15/27 for a 55.6 completion price, his lowest of the season. That has been on a skid the final two video games, at 64.7 p.c in Week 4, in comparison with two prior video games properly above 70.0 earlier in 2024.
A constructive first-time feat was a number of passing TDs (two) this week, connecting with TE Pat Freiermuth for the second recreation in a row, together with Connor Heyward. Tight finish involvement, each within the purple zone, was good to see. No interceptions once more, however had two close to picks, one a final-seconds comeback effort.
Had one other fumble, although it was G Isaac Seumalo in his 2024 Steelers debut getting blown again into Fields. Fortunately recovered although. Not as many dashing yards (27), however much less sacks this recreation (two). Confirmed his toughness taking a number of hits, particularly one on the chin incomes unneccesary roughness, forcing Fields to exit the sport for 2 performs.
This meant QB Kyle Allen received his first regular-season motion. Russell Wilson served because the emergency QB3 in Week 5, and it will likely be attention-grabbing to see how for much longer that lasts. Allen threw as soon as on two snaps.
Let’s begin with a easy view of the 25 charted passes, with the variety of throws at every move distance for Week 5:
#1. 0-5 air-yards: 44.0-percent. First instance was an out path to WR George Pickens at three air yards, capable of present a little bit of YAC on the opening drive. On third and two, empty formation for Fields, motioning RB Najee Harris to TE on Third and a couple of, operating a flat route with churning YAC dragging a defender for 15 yards. Good early conversion contributing to a FG.
Drive two began with eluding strain and Fields focusing on Heyward on a flat from FB alignment at 5 air yards, with good physique management to make the leaping catch above his head for seven yards.
Then early second quarter, one other TE Darnell Washington received concerned, with Fields focusing on his cease route at 5 air yards, hit rapidly exhibiting robust palms because the defender tried to strip it.
Subsequent was within the third quarter and purple zone, coping with strain from a free rusher, capable of goal Freiermuth on the line of scrimmage on a flat route however hit rapidly for a lack of one. Then, a number of got here within the closing quarter, beginning with a cease route reference to WR Van Jefferson.
Fields moved the pocket on the following Third and 1, with a very good discover and throw to Heyward, stopping within the mushy spot quick over the center, however the defender, sadly, punched it out for one of many a number of fails of the sport. Harris’ 4th and 1 rush conversion prolonged this drive, although.
WR Brandon Johnson, who was elevated for the primary time, received the crosser from Fields at 4 air yards and was capable of decide up 9 on the prolonged drive. Arrange Third and 1, down three with six minutes. Fields makes a pleasant sidearm move across the defender, getting it to Pickens on the pivot route at two air yards and turning that into explosive YAC and acquire of 21 yards to the purple zone.
Two performs afterward the six-yard line, Fields drifted like a designed run however then flipped it to Freiermuth with good blocks in entrance for the go-ahead rating with 5 minutes left. The move distance was efficient general, together with late recreation. The ultimate desperation play (a number of laterals) is one exception, placing a damper on the offense’s closing full drive.
#2. 5-10 air-yards: 28.0-percent. First instance but to be talked about got here within the third quarter, a stretch the place Fields started wanting extra snug, sarcastically following his exit from the sport with a cease path to Jefferson over the center at six air yards, choosing up seven.
The next drive included a sit route from WR Calvin Austin, additionally at six air yards, which was tackled rapidly. The next Third and 4 was a giant missed alternative, with Fields delivering a bit excessive (free blitzer) to Pickens, a catchable out route that went off his palms. Ugh.
#3. Explosive (20-plus air-yards): 24.0-percent. Extra frequent than regular, however the quick story is ache. Six makes an attempt, no completions, yikes. Apparently, 5/6 explosives had been on first down.
The primary move of the sport was a play-action boot, an amazing design to get Heyward open, leaking out from FB previous the defender down the sideline. Fields is hit on the throw (T Broderick Jones) and goes a little bit lengthy off his palms on the diving effort. Debatable drop, missed alternative #1. Then one other first drive makes an attempt to Washington on a seam route purple zone goal and overthrew this mountain of a person considerably.
Subsequent was the longest air-yard try of the sport (36) within the second quarter. Instance of unhealthy decision-making noting others being open, Fields goes dangerously into double protection, with the underthrow to Jefferson on the slot go almost being intercepted. Fourth play additionally got here within the first half. This Third and 5 was one other poor resolution lacking open man(s). Wished Pickens who was properly lined, and the move damaged up, though it did hit his palms.
Remaining two got here a lot later within the fourth quarter. 6:56 left, Fields delivers a pleasant back-shoulder throw to Jefferson, a drop that goes off his palms and incomplete. This play and explosive air-yard passing was cringe-worthy this recreation. Remaining play was desperation mode within the waning moments (:15), his second near-interception into visitors, whoof.
#5. 10-15 air-yards: 16.0-percent. 4 passes, with every within the second half. First was Kyle Allen’s lone try, a pleasant one to Freiermuth on a middle-of-the-field slant at 12 air yards, plus a pleasant churning YAC that gave the passing recreation some spark. Fields proceeded with two extra on the identical drive, beginning with a pleasant in-breaker throw to Jefferson at 11 air yards, the place he was tackled contained in the purple zone.
This drive was capped off with the group’s different landing, one other nice design the place exterior routes freed Heyward’s nook path to get broad open for the catch (12 air yards) and 16-yard rating to assert the lead for the primary time. The opposite was early fourth quarter, sadly again to miscues, with Fields properly overthrowing the wide-open Pickens on a nook route.
T-Third. Behind-the-Line: 4.0-percent. Only one this week, lower than the season common. This was a really profitable display screen to Harris, utilizing some good blocks in entrance to take the -5 air yarder for 20 yards, the primary explosive play at 8:44 within the third quarter. Additionally was one in all simply two complete explosives for Pittsburgh’s offense, barf.
#6. 15-20 air-yards: 0.0-percent. The usually underutilized distance (in my view) was ignored in Week 5.
Listed below are the dots of completions/incompletions for the sport:
As I alluded to above, Fields going 0/6 explosives, actually jumps out negatively. Longest completion was solely 12 air yards, eek. Allen did that on only one throw, on the great play over the center to Freiermuth. With that low pattern in thoughts, I’ll proceed with Fields’ numbers for the remainder of the article.
Completion Charges By Distance:
FIELDS:
Behind-the-line: 1/1 (100-percent).
0-5 air-yards: 10/11 (90.9-percent).
5-10 air-yards: 5/7 (71.4-percent).
10-15 air-yards: 2/3 (66.7-percent).
15-20 air-yards: 0/0 (N/A).
Explosive: 0/6 (0.0-percent).
Cash at 5 air yards or much less, then trailing off at intermediate distance, together with no 15-20 targets. The explosive outcomes are nonetheless there to hang-out us as properly.
Completion Charges By Location:
FIELDS:
Outdoors left numbers: 3/6 (50.0-percent).
Left numbers-left hash: 1/2 (50.0-percent).
Inside hashes: 1/1 (100-percent).
Proper hash-right numbers: 6/8 (75.0-percent).
Outdoors proper numbers: 4/7 (57.1-percent).
Outdoors the numbers was extra of a battle, which is smart with nearly all of explosives going there.
Now for the warmth maps for charted passes, then completions solely:
As you might have guessed from the dots, the warmth maps look promising on all makes an attempt however go darkish on the completions-only view. Whereas Fields’ job hasn’t been “gunslinger” thus far, a 12-yard max accomplished air distance is his game-low of 2024 that should enhance for aggressive steadiness.
Right here’s to that connection making a noticeable distinction within the move recreation transferring ahead whereas persevering with to current the downfield risk on defenses, which may optimistically result in extra factors quickly as properly.
Subsequent, right here’s an information recap of Fields’ 125 charted throws of the 2024 common season:
#1. 0-5 air yards: 43.2-percent. Beforehand 42.6-percent. 2023 35.0-percent.
#2. 5-10 air yards: 28.0-percent. Beforehand 27.7-percent. 2023 23.8-percent.
#3. Behind-the-line: 14.4-percent. Beforehand 16.8-percent. 2023 18.5-percent.
#4. Explosive: 12.8-percent. Beforehand 9.9-percent. 2023 12.4-percent.
#5. 10-15 air yards: 10.4-percent. Beforehand 9.9-percent. 2023 13.0-percent.
#6. 15-20 air yards: 5.6-percent. Beforehand 6.9-percent. 2023 10.8-percent.
Explosives moved up a rank, however we all know amount doesn’t equal high quality within the tough loss.
Completion Charges By Distance:
FIELDS:
Behind-the-line: 14/18 (77.8-percent).
0-5 air-yards: 48/54 (88.9-percent).
5-10 air-yards: 27/35 (77.1-percent).
10-15 air-yards: 7/13 (53.8-percent).
15-20 air-yards: 3/7 (42.9-percent).
Explosive: 5/16 (31.3-percent).
Completion Charges By Location:
FIELDS:
Outdoors left numbers: 31/44 (70.5-percent).
Left numbers-left hash: 11/16 (68.8-percent).
Inside hashes: 9/11 (81.8-percent).
Proper hash-right numbers: 19/23 (82.6-percent).
Outdoors proper numbers: 22/31 (71.0-percent).
To shut, listed here are the dots and warmth maps for all charted makes an attempt, then completions solely:
Thanks for studying, and let me know your ideas within the feedback.