Steelers Passing Charts: Week 18 Vs. Bengals

The Pittsburgh Steelers at the moment are 10-7, on an unlucky four-game dropping streak to finish the 2024 common season towards the 9-8 Cincinnati Bengals. It’s a catastrophe.

A few notes earlier than we soar in. Because of Thomas Mock for his nice work, which helped me study a lot about what I’m utilizing within the visible collection. Spikes and clear throwaways are eliminated because of being the proper situational resolution and bats on the line of scrimmage. Two throwaways and bats have been eliminated.

QB Russell Wilson went 17/31 on the stat sheet (54.8 price), the worst of 2024. 148 passing yards was removed from sufficient, with simply 31 within the first half—disgusting. No less than there was one passing landing inside that, and there have been no interceptions. 4.8 yards per try was a 2024 low for Wilson, and he was additionally sacked 4 occasions.

It wasn’t probably the most stress he’s confronted, however his pressure-to-sack price was second-most this 12 months. Unable to capitalize on early alternatives, although they weren’t plentiful, with heavy speeding early on in one other gradual begin, together with three-and-outs and Cincinnati dominating the time of possession battle.

Receivers additionally deserve their share of the blame for the abysmal offensive efficiency. That they had 4 drops, probably the most for Pittsburgh’s complete 2024 season. The drops got here on the worst time, because the group was making an attempt to proper its dropping streak heading into the postseason, however sadly, the ache continues.

Situationally, Pittsburgh went a poor 4-of-12 on third downs and 0-for-2 on fourth down, together with an opportunity to win the sport late. As a substitute, a giant third-down miscue and a fourth-down drop have been extra examples of the error of the month membership. One enchancment was purple zone, going 2-for-2, however not sufficient journeys there, and couldn’t capitalize on the protection holding Cincinnati to 1-for-4.

Limiting the Bengals offense within the 19-17 loss ought to have been sufficient for victory. However as an alternative, Pittsburgh’s offense failed to point out up, scoring 17 factors or fewer in all 4 losses to finish the season. Gotta rating extra factors for any hope this postseason.

Let’s begin with a easy view of the 27 charted passes, with the variety of throws at every move distance for Week 18:

#1. 0-5 air-yards: 48.1-percent. 13 passes. The primary got here after a pleasant defensive interception from CB Beanie Bishop Jr., and the offense beginning their fourth drive with a bat within the air for a close to choose of their very own. Whew.

The next play was a wide-open out path to TE Pat Freiermuth at 4 air yards, offering YAC for an 11-yard achieve and first down. As of late, profitable performs have been adopted up with destructive ones too usually, this time a throwaway.

The subsequent play was one other out path to Freiermuth, including extra YAC, this time for 9 yards that was wanting the chains upon overview. The Steelers proceeded to fail on a third and 1 sneak that ought to have simply transformed (no achieve) and a RB Jaylen Warren 4th and 1 failed run. Each have been overturned conversions, so three straight performs teasingly couldn’t lengthen the drive and gave Cincinnati one other likelihood and FG earlier than halftime.

Down 13-7, Pittsburgh bought yet one more likelihood earlier than heading to the locker room, but it surely was a sack on Wilson (G Isaac Seumalo) with simply 16 seconds on the clock.

Pittsburgh bought the ball first to start out the third quarter. After a irritating toss to RB Najee Harris that misplaced 4 yards (actually, that’s your greatest opening play?), it’s 2nd and 14. Wilson dumps it to Harris at three air yards, with a little bit of churn on a six-yard achieve. The drive went three-and-out, which the Steelers did on their first possessions of every half. Gross.

Then, within the fourth quarter, when 66.7 p.c of Wilson’s complete charted passes got here, sheesh. Down 19-7, the Steelers started with two out routes to WR Van Jefferson that every picked up 5 yards. The second was a harmful throw that the DB was throughout, pointing to the predictability of the play-calling and routes.

The subsequent play, you guessed it, was one other out to Freiermuth however off-target forward of him and incomplete. Sure, take what the protection provides you, however that wasn’t the case as they have been sniffing these out. The next play was again to Jefferson for one more 5 air-yarder, this time on a cease route, getting a little bit of YAC to realize eight.

third and a pair of now, and Wilson checks right down to Harris over the center at three air yards, rallied however capable of choose up 4 on the conversion. Then the variability continued at different move distances, including this much-needed scoring drive, slicing the deficit to 19-14.

The Steelers’ protection fortunately held, getting the offense the ball with 5:54 left. The drive, sadly, began with a bat, although. Then 2nd and 10, one other out to Freiermuth from the slot that picked up 9 yards towards conservative protection. With the sport on the road, this drive additionally went three-and-out, come on, man. However Connor Heyward stepped up big on particular groups, recovering the muff off a Cincinnati participant’s foot simply in bounds, heady play.

With yet one more likelihood for the offense to do one thing, they begin with a cease path to WR George Pickens, going proper by his palms. It was an uncharacteristically horrid recreation with seven targets, one catch, zero yards, and a number of drops, together with this premature one. Inexplicable.

The next play was one other out route, with Freiermuth capable of choose up ten and get out of bounds. Then, scream on the T.V. moments ensued. A shotgun toss to RB Cordarrelle Patterson, who has lacked success a lot of the 12 months, bought one yard. Then, T Dan Moore was crushed across the edge, permitting the sack of Wilson.

Behind the chains now, dealing with a third and 25, with 3:19 left and down 5 factors. The choice is throwing a fast slant (that route is authorized?) to select up seven yards, getting Chris Boswell a more in-depth try. The cash kicker is clutch once more, connecting on the 54-yarder to chop the deficit to 19-17 with 2:44 on the clock.

Pittsburgh’s protection held once more, doing their half admirably with a three-and-out cease. However a catastrophe drive ensued. A 2nd and 12 was the one play at this move distance, throwing to Freiermuth within the flat for simply three yards and unable to get out of bounds at 1:30. The rails ended up falling off, together with face-palming Wilson performs.

Unnecessarily scrambling for 3 yards, then sacked (Moore), and miscue deep ball to Pickens. Then, a deflating drop ended the sport. Infuriating. I’ll reference this because the “flounder drive” in additional element later that capped off such a disappointing finish to Pittsburgh’s common season.

#2. 5-10 air-yards: 25.9-percent. 7 examples, simply two but to be talked about, although. First was a third and three fail within the second quarter, a fast cease path to Jefferson towards tight protection incomplete on this three-and-out drive. Ugh.

Then, the ultimate play on the “flounder drive.” 4th and 12, with 15 seconds left and every thing on the road, a pleasant throw on an in-breaker is dropped by Freiermuth at ten air yards. Wilson gave him an opportunity and, although the goal was wanting the sticks, appreciated his probabilities to select up the primary down if caught. Pittsburgh was out of timeouts and, if ready, might doubtless have spiked the ball with an opportunity for the Hail Mary.

It was a particularly irritating ending, however the Steelers offense had loads of alternatives earlier within the recreation to keep away from that scenario.

#3. 10-15 air-yards: 18.5-percent. 5 right here. Pittsburgh confronted third and eight early third quarter, with Wilson and WR Calvin Austin on totally different pages on the intermediate out. The move was barely exterior, because the route was seemingly rounded greater than anticipated at 11 air yards, leading to yet one more three-and-out.

At 8:45 within the fourth quarter, Wilson makes a great throw to Pickens on the intermediate slant, however the DB works by his palms late to pressure the incompletion. We’ve seen Pickens come away with far harder catches, additional context to his abysmal recreation. Wilson adopted that up with a 12-yard scramble after a bobbled snap, a great restoration however painfully the longest run of the sport.

That, luckily, arrange the wide-open purple zone intermediate out path to Freiermuth, waltzing in on the great idea the place Jefferson occupied two defenders on his vertical route. This was the lone passing TD, lowering the deficit to 19-14 on a uncommon high quality drive with eight minutes left.

On the “flounder drive,” one play stood out positively. With 1:09 left within the recreation, this third and 9 was an intermediate crosser to Freiermuth, a pleasant tight window throw and catch at 13 air yards for the large conversion. This instilled hope, however that was short-lived after the excruciating pointless scramble, sack, Pickens miscue, and drop from Muth that was additionally at this distance.

#4. Behind-the-Line: 14.8-percent. 4 performs. The primary move for Pittsburgh was a display to Pickens, who was unable to seek out room with poor exterior blocking (WR Ben Skowronek) for no achieve on his lone catch. Bear in mind, he was focused seven occasions, yikes. Wilson rolled left the following third and seven however merely held it too lengthy, leading to a sack.

This opening drive went three-and-out, because the Steelers offense was unable to attain a TD on any first drive in any 2024 recreation. Barf.

On drive two, the 2nd and 11 name was an RB display to Harris, however stress from an unblocked NFL sack chief in Trey Hendrickson affected Wilson on the low throw, which fell incomplete. Sadly, this was not the one time defenders got here unblocked to make performs.

Within the fourth quarter, Harris did an ideal job on a swing move with a compelled missed deal with and YAC for 12 yards however did get walloped on the finish on an uncalled helmet-to-helmet hit. This chunk play aided the lone passing TD drive as effectively.

The final was frustratingly on the primary play of the ultimate “flounder drive”. Moore derailed late recreation, permitting fixed stress, together with this dump to Harris that was tackled immediately as if Cincinnati’s protection was within the huddle.

#5. Explosive (20-plus air-yards): 11.1-percent. Solely three, confusingly given the sport circumstances. Sure, take what the protection provides you, however man, you must be extra aggressive towards the most effective offenses/groups to win. Fortunately, Pittsburgh’s protection confirmed up, or it simply might have been a blowout.

First was the lone explosive play for Pittsburgh all recreation. This got here on the ultimate play of the primary quarter, an superior third and 11 moon ball from Wilson to WR Mike Williams, making the implausible toe-tap catch simply in bounds. This was big in establishing Pittsburgh’s solely different scoring drive, capped off by a one-yard Harris TD.

The others have been miscues to Pickens, every on third-and-long. The primary one ended the second straight second-half drive that failed, a third-and-8 shot at 25 air yards that was one other one a DB contested and knocked away late.

Then, the late miscue on the “flounder drive” I’ve been referencing. After Wilson is sacked, Pittsburgh faces third and 12 with 20 seconds left, down by two factors. Wilson and Pickens are usually not on the identical web page, with the latter operating and out and up that was a great name that bought open, however the throw is means exterior of the route. Irrespective of the place the blame falls, that’s an unsightly trying incompletion with the sport on the road.

#6. 15-20 air-yards: 7.4-percent. Only one right here. With 5:31 within the fourth quarter, Wilson rolls left on the scramble drill (Moore stress), with this third and 1 move crusing over Pickens’ head, incomplete. This left the rating at 19-14, and whereas many thought the choice to punt was the fallacious selection, had far more confidence within the protection than how little the offense was capable of do on this recreation, sadly.

Listed here are the dots of completions/incompletions for the sport:

One other week dominated by 5 air yards or much less. Largely targets to the proper and between the numbers. It was a bit extra intermediate than the final recreation, and all three explosives have been to the proper sideline.

Completion Charges By Distance:

WILSON:

Behind-the-line: 3/4 (75.0-percent).

0-5 air-yards: 11/13 (84.6-percent).

5-10 air-yards: 4/7 (57.1-percent).

10-15 air-yards: 2/5 (40.0-percent).

15-20 air-yards: 0/2 (0-percent).

Explosive: 1/3 (33.3-percent).

These numbers actually level to the dearth of connection previous 5 yards, missing high quality and amount (3-of-10). If that’s going to work, it higher be a stellar yack recreation, and it was to not put it properly.

Completion Charges By Location:

WILSON:

Outdoors left numbers: 1/2 (50.0-percent).

Left numbers-left hash: 2/4 (50.0-percent).

Inside hashes: 1/1 (100-percent).

Proper hash-right numbers: 5/7 (71.4-percent).

Outdoors proper numbers: 8/13 (61.5-percent).

Favored the proper aspect closely, with between the hash and numbers being the higher price. There have been a number of misses exterior the numbers, however they did embody the lone landing. There’s a lack of throws and connection to the left and only one throw between the hashes on a dump-off.

Now for the warmth maps for charted passes, then completions solely:

Neither chart is inspiring, however the completions-only view actually highlights how restricted Pittsburgh’s success was within the passing recreation. Principally out and cease routes, not a successful system, and this ugliness can’t occur once more when you anticipate to win within the playoffs.

Subsequent, right here’s Wilson and Fields’ 447 charted throws of the 2024 common season:

#1. 0-5 air yards: 40.3-percent. Beforehand 39.8-percent. 2023 35.0-percent.

#2. 5-10 air yards: 24.8-percent.  Beforehand 24.8-percent. 2023 23.8-percent.

#3. Behind-the-line: 16.1-percent.  Beforehand 16.2-percent. 2023 18.5-percent.

#4. Explosive: 14.3-percent.  Beforehand 14.5-percent. 2023 12.4-percent.

#5. 10-15 air yards: 10.1-percent.  Beforehand 9.5-percent. 2023 13.0-percent.

#6. 15-20 air yards: 7.2-percent.  Beforehand 7.1-percent. 2023 10.8-percent.

Move distance rankings remained the identical to shut the 2024 season. The most important improve was 10-15 air yards (0.6-percent). 0-5 and 15-20 additionally up ticked, whereas 5-10 stood pat. Slight decreases in behind-the-line and explosives, the latter most discouragingly.

WILSON:

Behind-the-line: 44/52 (84.6-percent).

0-5 air-yards: 92/115 (80.0-percent).

5-10 air-yards: 48/69 (69.6-percent).

10-15 air-yards: 18/29 (62.1-percent).

15-20 air-yards: 12/23 (52.2-percent).

Explosive: 22/42 (52.4-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: 6/21 (28.6-percent).

Completion Charges By Location:

WILSON:

Outdoors left numbers: 50/81 (61.7-percent).

Left numbers-left hash: 54/64 (84.4-percent).

Inside hashes: 16/22 (72.7-percent).

Proper hash-right numbers: 50/58 (86.2-percent).

Outdoors proper numbers: 45/69 (65.2-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: 30/38 (78.9-percent).

Outdoors proper numbers: 22/34 (64.7-percent).

To shut, listed below are the dots together with warmth maps for all charted makes an attempt and completions solely:

Thanks for studying, and let me know your ideas within the feedback.