Putrid Offense - Mediocre defense

[Stosh-67]

Been saying the last 5-6 weeks, and most of you know this, the snap count disparity is killing this team.
Its an indication of 2 things and both are bad.
1. The Steelers cant stay on the field and
2. The Steelers defense can not get off the field.

And it has turned into one of the most snap count discrepant NFL teams in the last 20+ years.
It will take its toll and getting worse the last few weeks.
Only the 2005 49ers and 2018 Dolphins have averaged less offensive snaps per game since 2003. Yikes.

The play it safe offense does not move the ball, does not convert third downs, does not utilize 1st and 2nd downs to get first downs.
has predictable play design formations, play calls and tendencies. Plays too many heavy sets which in turn, does not put speed on the field.

The defense lost some players, but no excuses in not adjusting in second halves. Its a pattern and its being outcoached after the half. Not stopping the Chargers running up the gut in the second half. Failure to adjust to the Cincy pass attack a few weeks ago.

If this team does not get turnovers, they do not win.
6 turnovers vs Colts to only win by 7.
5 turnovers vs Pats to only win by 7.
Needing a late 4th quarter turnover to beat the Jets.

This team can easily be 2-7 right now. 3-6?

31st in the NFL with 10+ yard plays.

https://steelersdepot.com/2025/11/of-al ... ghs-worst/

[jebrick]

No one could have predicted this outside of everyone with at least 3 brain cells.

[Stosh-67]

But in the head of Chief Obtuse ....its the players.

My sig....by Kodiak, says it the best.

"Tomlin has never appreciated the role of scheme and play call in the ability for player's to execute" Kodiak.

I know the saying that some folks like to throw out....
Its not the X's and O's...its the Jimmies and Joes.....

Yes we lack skill player talent.......
but we see teams with such lesser talent do so much more,
via X's and O's

six of 9 games with less than 300 yards total offense.
446 yards combined the last two weeks. Holly hell.....446 yards in two games, this is 1970's offense.
The Lions may have had 400+ yards in three quarters on Sunday, as they had 100 more yards on Sunday, in one game, than the Steelers had in the last two games.
putrid.
29th in the NFL in offensive yards per game.


OTOH, The defense has given up less than 300....ONCE in 9 games.
Given up 368+ in 7 of 9 games.
Our offense has gained more than 335 yards.......ONCE. Thats downright awful.

We do not have a game this year with 20+ first downs.
OTOH, the Chargers were the first opponent to not have 20+ first downs against this defense.
28th in the NFL in yards allowed per game.

Look at what the Saints did this past Sunday on the road.
Nothing great, but 17 points, 388 yards...
Rookie QB, 4 games and only 2nd NFL start.
Quick, without checking.......
Name the Saints #2 WR.........
Do not think most hear can name 3 offensive players on the Saints.

X's and O's
We are the worst in football at this part of the game.
Its an important part of football.
If you will.

[.Kodiak]

We have one of the oldest defenses in the NFL. What is all that time on the field going to do to those guys the 2nd half of the season? Injuries and fatigued play.

Steelers are 32nd in "average drive time". However, they are tied for 3rd (with 4 other teams) for drives per game. Seems surprising, but given their TOP and the turnovers from the defense...overall they are 31st in TOP at 27:00 per game. Which is a pretty shocking number as I think most of Tomlin's tenure they've been 32+.

CIN - which has about the league's worst defense - is last in TOP at 26:49.

[Stosh-67]

I think the drives per game is inflated as we have had some good fortune.......
11 times vs New England and the Colts..
Yet out snapped by 36 in the two games.

[CKSteeler]

Steelers are also near the bottom in explosive plays. People don't want to hear it, but the offense is actually very similar in basic approach to what it was Ben's last two years. They play under center more, but the passing chart would look very similar. When they do take a shot deep, it's to the sidelines as quickly as possible.

The play action rate is below average. And this is with Arthur Smith whose passing offense is designed almost entirely around play-action. If they aren't running it, there's not a lot complexity to this passing attack.

What's the common denominator?

[.Kodiak]

What's the common denominator?

Early in his career, Ben was the most lethal PA passer in NFL history. Then the OL fell apart and couldn't pass protect nearly long enough to run it. When they fixed the OL in the backhalf of Ben's career, he was no longer comfortable running PA. And then his last few years his limited movement compounded by shitty pass pro prevented it.

I think the same thing is happening with Rodgers. Getting hit too often and doesn't trust the OL, so they probably aren't running near as much PA as they would like.

Also something to be said for Tomlin not wanting to take sacks running slow developing plays. He only sees downside to taking risk. How he's operated like that this long as a HC is mind-boggling. But as we've all come to realize, Tomlin's tenure is not based on actual performance.

[W&M_Steeler]

Steelers are also near the bottom in explosive plays. People don't want to hear it, but the offense is actually very similar in basic approach to what it was Ben's last two years. They play under center more, but the passing chart would look very similar. When they do take a shot deep, it's to the sidelines as quickly as possible.

The play action rate is below average. And this is with Arthur Smith whose passing offense is designed almost entirely around play-action. If they aren't running it, there's not a lot complexity to this passing attack.

What's the common denominator?

It's a geriatric QB offense. The old guys don't like to get hit anymore so they dump the ball as quickly as possible. I'm not letting Smith or Tomlin off the hook for their shortcomings- and the lack of a top tier WR 2 who could get open quickly and reliably certainly makes things worse- but Aaron's best days are long gone.

[bradshaw2ben]

They should literally call run or PA to Washington for about the first 15 plays of every game, let AR do a check w me if he sees an opportunity for DK. As stupid as that sounds, it would probably open up the whole playbook for them.

Stop the stupid Tackle Eligible routine, so that your PA is always a major threat that has to be accounted for.

[jebrick]

They should literally call run or PA to Washington for about the first 15 plays of every game, let AR do a check w me if he sees an opportunity for DK. As stupid as that sounds, it would probably open up the whole playbook for them.

Stop the stupid Tackle Eligible routine, so that your PA is always a major threat that has to be accounted for.

But pound the rock!!! Enforce our will. ect

[Deebo]

They should literally call run or PA to Washington for about the first 15 plays of every game, let AR do a check w me if he sees an opportunity for DK. As stupid as that sounds, it would probably open up the whole playbook for them.

Stop the stupid Tackle Eligible routine, so that your PA is always a major threat that has to be accounted for.

Well this Oline has Rodgers shell-shocked so now he doesn't even want to run PA.

People were fellating Rodgers early in the season and I told everyone to calm down and get at me about 12 games in and see how Arod is performing then after being battered by this bad Oline.

[Stillchest]

They should literally call run or PA to Washington for about the first 15 plays of every game, let AR do a check w me if he sees an opportunity for DK. As stupid as that sounds, it would probably open up the whole playbook for them.

Stop the stupid Tackle Eligible routine, so that your PA is always a major threat that has to be accounted for.

Well this Oline has Rodgers shell-shocked so now he doesn't even want to run PA.

People were fellating Rodgers early in the season and I told everyone to calm down and get at me about 12 games in and see how Arod is performing then after being battered by this bad Oline.

Why does it take this shithead organization years to build a solid O-line??!

Thought they hired the O-line, scout extraordinaire, Andy Weidle?!

[Deebo]

They should literally call run or PA to Washington for about the first 15 plays of every game, let AR do a check w me if he sees an opportunity for DK. As stupid as that sounds, it would probably open up the whole playbook for them.

Stop the stupid Tackle Eligible routine, so that your PA is always a major threat that has to be accounted for.

Well this Oline has Rodgers shell-shocked so now he doesn't even want to run PA.

People were fellating Rodgers early in the season and I told everyone to calm down and get at me about 12 games in and see how Arod is performing then after being battered by this bad Oline.

Why does it take this shithead organization years to build a solid O-line??!

Thought they hired the O-line, scout extraordinaire, Andy Weidle?!

They draft talented guys, but just like every other position they can't DEVELOP them into what they could be.

All high draft picks across the line, yet this isn't a dominant unit yet? It's fucking ridiculous and it's the reason they have to keep Washington and the Tackle Eligible in to help block. That removes a potential receiving option.

Name the last player this team has developed. ALl come in and do well as rookies, but a year or 2 under the Tomlin tutelage and they regress terribly. Let me count the ways:

- Claypool
-Pickens
-JPJ
-B Jones

I could go on, but my typewriter is running out of ink

[Gonzo]

There are many issues but IMO the core one is …
The offense is completely predictable based on history, formation and scheme
The OL is made to look worse because everyone knows whats coming …or at least the limited universe of what could be coming
And if a team can get pressure with 4 they are completely screwed because they the QB is fully immobile and the slow TEs and shitty WR2 easily covered
It really is absurd … even more absurd when we get gaslit about smiths chops on O

[955876]

There are many issues but IMO the core one is …
The offense is completely predictable based on history, formation and scheme
The OL is made to look worse because everyone knows whats coming …or at least the limited universe of what could be coming
And if a team can get pressure with 4 they are completely screwed because they the QB is fully immobile and the slow TEs and shitty WR2 easily covered
It really is absurd … even more absurd when we get gaslit about smiths chops on O

Spot on right here.

And yet, our “football junkie” HC that allegedly watches more film than anyone can’t fucking recognize this.

Dig in folks. This mess is FAR from over

[langer]

There are many issues but IMO the core one is …
The offense is completely predictable based on history, formation and scheme
The OL is made to look worse because everyone knows whats coming …or at least the limited universe of what could be coming
And if a team can get pressure with 4 they are completely screwed because they the QB is fully immobile and the slow TEs and shitty WR2 easily covered
It really is absurd … even more absurd when we get gaslit about smiths chops on O

Spot on right here.

And yet, our “football junkie” HC that allegedly watches more film than anyone can’t fucking recognize this.

Dig in folks. This mess is FAR from over

This shit is more entertaining imo. The weekly reveals of the inner workings of Coach Ts fiefdom is a great watch.

His eyes all popping out of his head, his teeter-tottering trying to find solace, perhaps thinking of Mommy holding him when things got scary at home.

Some serious soap opera shit.

[Stosh-67]

There are many issues but IMO the core one is …
The offense is completely predictable based on history, formation and scheme
The OL is made to look worse because everyone knows whats coming …or at least the limited universe of what could be coming
And if a team can get pressure with 4 they are completely screwed because they the QB is fully immobile and the slow TEs and shitty WR2 easily covered
It really is absurd … even more absurd when we get gaslit about smiths chops on O

Gonzo.
That is the bottom line.
Predictable play calls, run out of predictable sets....is setting these guys behind the eight ball, before the ball is even snapped.
There is zero element of surprise. They have little to no advantage of hitting the guy in front of that does not know whats coming. Mono a mono = stalemates at this level.

There is zero deception or trickery. Therefore we very rarely to never have a guy wide open.
There are very few plays in which the entire defense, or even 4-5 defenders are moving in one direction, while the ball and play heads the opposite way.

We are drafting talented players.
They were good to very good plyers in College.
We are not putting them in positions to have an edge....to have an advantage.
To hit a defensive lineman heading the wrong way or hitting the wrong hole.

Its abysmal scheme, play design, rhythm, play calling, etc.
We run out of heavy predictable sets....and our tendencies tell the defense before the snap, what we are likely to do.

Coach Obtuse does not understand this.
19 years in and his stubborn obliviousness...........can not or rather will not change.

These draft picks change every year.
The make up of the OL changes every 2-3-4 years.
The results are the same plugging in and swapping out guys.

It does not end until he is gone.....as much as he wants to talk about execution, and turnovers,.....and a collective effort.

And if I was Rodgers........i would not take his comments without push back on how this offense is designed, schemed, called.