17 Fourth Quarter Points for the Offense

[franco32]

That's coming off 27 fourth quarter points against the Chargers and our only TD in that Bengals debacle was in the fourth.

Why do the routes and play calling improve so much in the fourth quarter?

The use of play action, different crossing routes over the middle, the involvement of the TE in the passing game...all things we've been begging for all year. Instead, each game we stubbornly come out trying to establish the run between the tackles. We put the game on our Oline's shoulders early on to bully the Dline and instead they get slaughtered.

Maybe Matt Canada isn't such a bad playcaller after all? Maybe Tomlin hamstrings him and is once again responsible for the stale and predictable garbage we see in every first and second quarter.

[daikyu]

Or maybe this team is not capable of playing consistently good football.

When they are on they are pretty good. This year the Steelers are not on often.

[Steelperch]

This is all of our #1 gripe. How awesome does Ben and the passing attack consistently look when they need to pass. How neutered do they look the first 3 quarters. Runs up the gut and passes at the line. It’s a self inflicted intentionally neutered offense and it must die.

[Greeksteel]

I'll take Ben calls the plays for $1000 Alex.

[SteelerDayTrader]

I'll take Ben calls the plays for $1000 Alex.

[LakecrestSteeler]

This is all of our #1 gripe. How awesome does Ben and the passing attack consistently look when they need to pass. How neutered do they look the first 3 quarters. Runs up the gut and passes at the line. It’s a self inflicted intentionally neutered offense and it must die.

I’d have to go with @Kodiak ’s rant on attrition football.

I bet Tomlin wanted limited possessions the whole first half to eliminate the possibility of mistakes. Game management football. Reduce the instances for turnovers in the first half, simplify the game, and then get to the second half in striking distance and then increase risk taking on offense if necessary.

It just feels like a philosophy is driving this behavior and point totals, not behavior and player execution.

One does have to run the ball to establish the run to reap the fruit of its rewards. They stayed true to that discipline in the very limited series in the first half. Did it pay off in the second half and end of the game? It seemed to, but we still essentially lost the game on defense.

If Haden is back, the defense will be tops in the league with week to week comparisons. If they can just do something to fix Bush, like benching him, this team could go on a run. Healthy defense with Bush situation addressed I would say we are top 5 defense.

Ben, Najee, DJ and Muth are formidable with time, and in game management mode.

There is a recipe for a ring in this mess with a little luck on injury prevention.

Odds are low though.

[955876]

Did that cunt Bush hit a single player yesterday?

Gaping hole in the middle of our defense when this pole smoker is on the field.

[Duce318]

Did that cunt Bush hit a single player yesterday?

Gaping hole in the middle of our defense when this pole smoker is on the field.

You want to really go crazy, watch Bush on the 2 pt conversion at the end of the game.

[955876]

I saw. He was his usual pathetic self.

Useless mother fucker.

They better not pick up his option.

They’ll panic though and Jibbs is likely his buddy or his daddy’s buddy so look for an extension instead.

[Steelperch]

Steelers points by quarter

1st 2.8 (24th)
2nd 5.3 (26th)
3rd 2.6 (29th)
4th 9.3 (4th)

They rank near the bottom in scoring quarters 1 through 3 and are the 4th most prolific scoring team in the 4th quarter when they just let Ben loose.

[zeke5123]

Did that cunt Bush hit a single player yesterday?

Gaping hole in the middle of our defense when this pole smoker is on the field.

Well, on one play he took out a Steeler so...

[TTP]

Steelers points by quarter

1st 2.8 (24th)
2nd 5.3 (26th)
3rd 2.6 (29th)
4th 9.3 (4th)

They rank near the bottom in scoring quarters 1 through 3 and are the 4th most prolific scoring team in the 4th quarter when they just let Ben loose.

Pretty much the same pattern as last year too. Ben's numbers jumped way up in the 4th quarter and when trailing in 2020. It was obvious to the eye too that the offense was different.

[Orangesteel]

All I will say is this; Tomlin was likely ecstatic, over the moon thrilled with the way that game played out yesterday.

- beat BAL by a single point 20-19 after a failed two point conversion? CHECK

- require your all world EDGE rusher to single handedly win the game at the end? CHECK

- employ the U shaped offense most of the game to create those one on one matchups where Tomlin expects our guys to beat their guys? CHECK

This was precisely what we practiced all week. Couple of three and outs to start…ease in. Don’t show your cards. Let Ben march down field to win at the end.

Tomlin football baby.

[Jizz Mop]

Love that we utilize the 3 and out early and often to quiet and upset the crowd into silence with occasional booing

This really sets the tone nicely for home games

[Orangesteel]

Love that we utilize the 3 and out early and often to quiet and upset the crowd into silence with occasional booing

This really sets the tone nicely for home games

It’s all part of the Mike Tomlin Experience. I lost my internet yesterday for about an hour of the game, and knew I wouldn’t miss a damn thing. Caught the ending, tho.

[Greeksteel]

All I will say is this; Tomlin was likely ecstatic, over the moon thrilled with the way that game played out yesterday.

- beat BAL by a single point 20-19 after a failed two point conversion? CHECK

- require your all world EDGE rusher to single handedly win the game at the end? CHECK

- employ the U shaped offense most of the game to create those one on one matchups where Tomlin expects our guys to beat their guys? CHECK

This was precisely what we practiced all week. Couple of three and outs to start…ease in. Don’t show your cards. Let Ben march down field to win at the end.

Tomlin football baby.

Oh ya..100% he rubbed one out at the end of that game.

[franco32]

I can't remember if it was Peyton Manning or not, but I remember one great QB saying that he was coached to get the first down in 2 downs. Why get to 3rd down at all? It just minimizes your chances of keeping the ball. Being aggressive on 1st and 2nd down has so many rewards vs. the risks. Yet, we constantly love getting to third down. The "let's get to third and short" is a losing mentality in today's game. But, I'm preaching to the choir.

[bradshaw2ben]

That's coming off 27 fourth quarter points against the Chargers and our only TD in that Bengals debacle was in the fourth.

Why do the routes and play calling improve so much in the fourth quarter?

The use of play action, different crossing routes over the middle, the involvement of the TE in the passing game...all things we've been begging for all year. Instead, each game we stubbornly come out trying to establish the run between the tackles. We put the game on our Oline's shoulders early on to bully the Dline and instead they get slaughtered.

Maybe Matt Canada isn't such a bad playcaller after all? Maybe Tomlin hamstrings him and is once again responsible for the stale and predictable garbage we see in every first and second quarter.

And there's a corollary: why does the defense play lights out for most of the game, then suddenly can't stop anything at the end of the game. There have been so many defensive collapses this year.

[Kodiak.]

And there's a corollary: why does the defense play lights out for most of the game, then suddenly can't stop anything at the end of the game. There have been so many defensive collapses this year.

It's uncertain how much, if any, of the defense Butler calls. But we know for damn sure who's calling the defensive plays at the end of the game.

[955876]

I can't remember if it was Peyton Manning or not, but I remember one great QB saying that he was coached to get the first down in 2 downs. Why get to 3rd down at all? It just minimizes your chances of keeping the ball. Being aggressive on 1st and 2nd down has so many rewards vs. the risks. Yet, we constantly love getting to third down. The "let's get to third and short" is a losing mentality in today's game. But, I'm preaching to the choir.

Getting to 3rd and manageable.

Easing into games (and seasons for that matter)

Keeping it close and trying to pull it out in the 4th quarter.

Punting on 4th & inches while down multiple scores late.

All staples in Jibbs “coaching for dummies” handbook.

[TTP]

Ben over the last 2 seasons in no-huddle:

90-118-873-5-0

C %: 76.2
YPA: 7.4
QB rate: 110.6

Yeah, probably shouldn't do more of this.....let's keep doing what we do instead.

Ben 4th quarter, last 2 years:

204-285-1993-20-4

C%: 71.6
YPA: 6.99 (this isn't great, to be fair)
QB rate: 108.4

Maybe we should start the game with some of this shit.......nah, let's just keep doing what we do.

I realize this is kind of a simplistic look and that softee defenses playing with the lead can inflate QB numbers. But, I do think the magnitude of difference between the Steelers regular offense and the "help, Ben, we need you" offense is striking. The numbers are confirming what our eyes have been seeing over the last 2 years. When the Steelers need to rely on Ben to sling it, he generally is able to sling it.

I am not saying the Steelers could or should go to this full-time. Old Man Ben and the OL probably couldn't hold up over the course of whole game. But, let's not wait until until things are dire. It's a perfectly acceptable strategy to mix it up a bit early to get a lead.

[Ice]

The 2005 playoffs come to mind...

[zeke5123]

Ben over the last 2 seasons in no-huddle:

90-118-873-5-0

C %: 76.2
YPA: 7.4
QB rate: 110.6

Yeah, probably shouldn't do more of this.....let's keep doing what we do instead.

Ben 4th quarter, last 2 years:

204-285-1993-20-4

C%: 71.6
YPA: 6.99 (this isn't great, to be fair)
QB rate: 108.4

Maybe we should start the game with some of this shit.......nah, let's just keep doing what we do.

I realize this is kind of a simplistic look and that softee defenses playing with the lead can inflate QB numbers. But, I do think the magnitude of difference between the Steelers regular offense and the "help, Ben, we need you" offense is striking. The numbers are confirming what our eyes have been seeing over the last 2 years. When the Steelers need to rely on Ben to sling it, he generally is able to sling it.

I am not saying the Steelers could or should go to this full-time. Old Man Ben and the OL probably couldn't hold up over the course of whole game. But, let's not wait until until things are dire. It's a perfectly acceptable strategy to mix it up a bit early to get a lead.

The YPA isn't great, but lack of turnovers and high completion speaks of moving the ball relatively efficiently. What is missing is big plays. I think DJ (and to a lesser extent Claypool) have started to hit on these (e.g., a slant they take 30 yards). That will improve the YPA if the C% stays at 70%.