1. Coincidence?
Causation and correlation, at times, are in the eye of the beholder. But it’s impossible to ignore some of the statistical superlatives that the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense – and quarterback Kenny Pickett in particular – posted last week in its first game after the firing of coordinator Matt Canada.
It’s been much-discussed how the Steelers surpassed 400 yards of offense for the first time since the pre-Canada era. The 421 yards produced during last week’s win at the Cincinnati Bengals were the most since a loss at the New Orleans Saints two days prior to Christmas in 2018. But beyond the total yardage, the 6.2 yards per play tied for the third-most for a game since late 2018. Only once had a Canada-called Steelers offense topped that for a game.
Per Pro Football Focus’ subjective analysis, last week against the Bengals was the second-highest grade the Steelers have gotten for their offense for a game since 2018. PFF’s grades also reflect that Pickett had the best game of his career in his first outing without Canada. In fact, Pickett’s 91.8 passing grade was the highest for a Steelers quarterback since Week 13 of 2015 when Ben Roethlisberger had four touchdown passes in a blowout win against the Indianapolis Colts.
In myriad of the more traditional stats, too, Pickett had his second-best start of his two-year career: passer rating (97.8), completion rate (72.7%), passing yards (278) and yards per attempt (8.42). In the ESPN-created metric meant to fully evaluate quarterbacks (QBR), Pickett had his third-best number at 65.7.
2. Coming together
PFF credits the Steelers offensive line with improvement as the season wears on. The Steelers allowed the Bengals seven “pressures” of Kenny Pickett on 37 dropbacks, giving them the seventh-highest pass-blocking efficiency rating in the NFL for Week 12.
The obvious explanation for the line’s upward trajectory over the past four games is the insertion of rookie first-round pick Broderick Jones at right tackle. But PFF suggests that has been the Steelers’ play at guard that has improved the most along their o-line. Left guard Isaac Seumalo has not allowed a sack all season. Right guard James Daniels has been charged with allowing just four pressures over his six games since returning from a two-game absence because of a groin injury. By comparison, Daniels allowed 10 pressures during the three games he played this season before the injury.
3. Shutdown Joey
Just five starts into his career, Joey Porter Jr. has already established himself as a so-called “shutdown” corner. Porter for the season has the second-best completion percentage against when targeted (41.2%) among any cornerback who has appeared in at least five games this season (per PFF). He also has the eighth-best passer rating against when targeted (59.2)
According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Porter last week against Cincinnati was following young Pro Bowl wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase all over the field. Porter was lined up against Chase on 24 of Chase’s 28 routes, including 10 in which he was in press coverage. Across the NFL, no receiver achieved less average separation during Week 12 than Chase (1.4 yards). Chase had only two catches during the game in which Porter was the nearest defender.
4. Playing from behind
Even in winning last week, the Steelers played with a lead for only 18 minutes and 43 seconds – they trailed more often during the game (23 minutes, 56 seconds). For the season, according to Sharp Football the Steelers have trailed for 61.2% of their offensive snaps. Only five teams have been trailing more often, and none of them have a winning record.
It’s pretty remarkable that the Steelers have been playing from behind so often when it’s considered that their defense has allowed a touchdown on just 12% of opponents’ possessions this season. That’s the best rate in the NFL.
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