Steelers lead the league in Time of Posession

https://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/stat/average-time-of-possession-net-of-ot

Just thought I’d share this as people may not be aware. I wasn’t until today.

Given the offence we have been subjected to in recent years this is some turnaround. The Steelers are actually playing complementary football.

Credit to Arthur Smith, Russ and everyone on offence. This isn’t easy to do.

 

Thanks for sharing. I actually didn't know this either.

 

So is this equivalent to a remedial offense?

 

the last 3 games are a pretty big difference - 34 to 26. Besides Lions, no one is even close to that number.

 

The Steelers are also #1 in forced turnovers(25). They are #2 in turnover ratio(+15). Buffalo is +17

 

Credit to the underated OL as well.

 

There have been those WTF moments, but seeing from the start of the year losing 1/2 of your vet starters to injury and not seeing a regular configuration week to week, to now starting 2 rookies and a 2nd year guy who had very little experience they have really come along nicely.

 

Longer O on field longer D is resting.

 

This is classic Steeler football. Move the rock, burn the clock, and win by basically not giving the other team the ball to play with.

 

Only works if you score more than they do

 

As me and @mac daddyo have been saying since 2021; properly invest in the Offensive Line. 2023 was the starting point in Broderick Jones; that entire class being a grand slam. For me personally, 2024 is not too far off. Only reason I don't consider it so is because we sadly don't see Troy Fautanu out there. The rest of the class though has been great. The most important picks though from these two classes have no doubt been the trenches.


Zach Frazier is everything I'd knew he be coming out of West Virginia. I had a First Round Grade on him then and his current level of play is nothing more than confirmation of that. Mason McCormick just may be the biggest steal from this entire class as it is comically difficult to find starting capable Offensive Lineman on Day Three. Broderick has rebounded after a very poor start to 2024. Last but not least, I'd give Spencer Anderson another season. He was solid though in the games he did play.


Overall?! Thank the investments in the Offensive Line for that. Yes, Russell Wilson is playing out of his mind and the two headed beast in Najee/Jaylen have paid dividends but a great offense starts with the big men upfront. One final note; Pat Meyer is the biggest unsung hero in all of this; doubly so with Dan Moore's turnaround.

 

I remember Troy saying once that their style of D required so much effort that they needed the O to controls TOP because they couldn’t play that style of D for more than 30 minutes.

 

As the video up above that is pinned in implies, all this young Offensive Line needs is time. Granted, I said as much after the 2024 Draft; growing pains will be expected come the first half of the season. Outside of me expecting the likes of Troy and Broderick Jones to both be out there day one along with James Daniels getting injured for the year, everything else has been as I thought it would be. The only player I didn't have too much concern about was Zach Frazier for I knew he'd be the best Center from the class. To get a Center with Pro Bowl level to possible All Pro Potential in the Second Round is something I will always take every day and twice on Sundays! Why?!


I'd imagine you remember Mason Cole from the previous year?! Compare that with a Rookie this season?! Massive difference; like the differences between the Moon and the Sun.

 

Quite true. And a ball control offense is not great at coming from behind. But there is more than one way to build a winning football team. Keeping your own defense fresh while tiring the opponent’s defense out is maybe not the exciting football that the league likes at this time, but it works.

 

In some ways it feels like the Oline was rebuilt without foregoing other positions. Of course we need another WR and some Dline help, but the evals on the Oline drafts have been pretty good. Jones is growing into a true RT. He may never be an LT, but that’s OK. There is a reason the positions are different.

 

I wouldn't count BroJo on not being a LT. Both Omar and Tomlin have already noted that such a transition will happen at some point. My guess is that the transition comes after Dan Moore leaves for I don't believe the team will want to have Troy Fautanu flip flop after returning from injury.


BroJo may have some growing pains moving back to LT in 2025 but I doubt they will be as bad as it was as his 2024 Preseason.

 

Time of possession isn't a very strong predictor of wins. Just have a look at the top 10 teams in TOP currently. And though there is a correlation between scoring and TOP, it's simply because scoring drives take longer than non-scoring drives. Correlation, yes, but maybe not causation.

 

It could be even a little more. Wilson has been doing some up-tempo lately and snapping the ball with time left on the play clock.

I think it is smart getting to the line with lots of time left on the play clock. I think it stresses the defensive line more than our O-line. Peyton Manning did that allot to get a good look at the defense and tire them a bit and it worked for him.

 

Disagree. Top 5 teams have 54 wins through week 14.

 

VERY impressive.

Kudo's to Arthur and Co.

this too keeps the D rested and fresher.

We are in the HUNT

"So you're saying there's a chance?"

 

they are not as bad as some think. I was laughed at for that statement, earlier in the year.

young - yes, but getting better EVERY week.

Troy back next year, LOTS of young developing talent here!!!!

THIS SUNDAY will be a handful, that is for sure.

 

That's how you beat the Mahomes and Allen's in this league. Keep them on the bench.