Quarter of the season analysis, minor tidbits and defense

So here we are quarter of the season finished. 3-1 with a clunker to a beatable team, and the Steelers haven't even fired on all cylinders yet. We will improve, how much? I can't say. I used to believe our offense would carry our games but the tides are shifting.

Weird stat: there have only been eight 26-9 scores ever in the NFL, and Steelers did that twice this season.

Coincidental stat: Ben had won only twice previously in M&T stadium, 2005 and 2008.
Coincidental stat #2: Steelers have 15 sacks the first 4 games, only 2 other times they have done that recently is 2005 and 2008.


ok so here are the defensive rankings, along with the opponents points per game. overall lower the better(meaning they played better offenses)

PPG

1. Bills 21,20,11, 6 = 14.5 offense ranking faced
2. Steelers 28, 19, 29, 30 = 26.5 offense ranking faced
3. Bengals 30, 4th, 8th, 28 = 17.5 offense ranking faced
4. Panthers 26, 23, 16, 2 = 16.75
4. Lions = 22, 30, 6th, 19= 19.25 offense ranking
6. Broncos 24, 14, 23, 17= 19.5 offense ranking
6. Jaguars 4th, 9th, 30, 21= 16 offense ranking

yards per game allowed
1.denver
2. steelers
3. skins(not counting due to game tonight)
4. bagels
5th. panthers


Next are sacks, along with the offense line sack ratings(lower the better pass protection lines they faced)

1. jaguars 31, 2, 14, 18 =16.25 in O line faced
2. steelers 24, 5, 11, 14= 13.5 in o line faced
3. atlanta 11, 30, 18, 18= 19.25 in o line facd
3. cincy 14, 31, 30, 24=24.75 in o line faced


forced fumbles:
1. houston
2. steelers


int. 6th tied with 7 others, 1st are Raisins.

23rd in rush defense (yuck)

It's safe to say our unit hasn't really been testing vs good offenses, we will know iin these upcoming games. Jags and Bills are the best defenses according to stats and the eye test. Stats don't lie though and it's safe to say we finally have a legit pass rush.


I think our unit will finish in top 5 sacks/points. We need to stop the run though, thats just nasty.

 

More than likely a top 5 defense when it is all said and done if everyone can stay healthy. Have not watched the Ravens game yet but still am worried about Sean Davis.


Run defense will be something to track as the season continues; against the Jaguars no less.


Leonard Fournette is the real deal. However, like Todd Gurley from one season ago, he cannot do much if Blake Bortles and, for that matter, the rest of the offense is constantly dealing self infliction as if they love to be masochistic.

 

Yup jags scare me we don’t match up well

 

They gave up 256 yards rushing to the jets yesterday and 255 passing so bell should have a big day and ben should have a good day, the jets held fournette to 84 yards so if our D run blocks well we should be alright, dont give any run lanes to bortels he had 4 runs for 38 yards, so our D has to be big in this game............

 

Agreed, since it is at home we should be ok. Hayley gonna play scared though

 

Our defense is much better. Other than not sealing the edge on some runs. Having Watt and Tuitt back helped big time yesterday. Heyward and Shazier were a two man wrecking crew, and I like what Hilton brings in the Nickel.

Getting more sacks and turnovers. Getting off the field on 3rd down a lot better.

Going to get harder than easier. You got Alex Smith, Matthew Stafford, Aaron Rogers, and Tom Brady. Very decent QB's coming down the road.

 

Jags don't have a marathon defense, it more of a wind sprint type. They get after teams quick and get off the field. Make them work and they will tire quickly.

 

To be fair that’s most defenses lol

 

Lol not a Dick Lebeau defense, they are designed to bend and bend and bend then snap back and get the stop multiple times over the course of 60 minutes. They wait the full 15 rds and then switch to southpaw

 

The Jags have the best defense that we have seen this year so far.

 

True. However, they have the talent to be one provided if Blake Bortles and the receiving corps cease their masochist fetishes with that plauging offense.


Within the same vein, as I said, Blake Bortles is not "the one" for Jackaonville anyway. They are a year off from nabbing one. They will nab one soon enough. As it stands now though, Leonard Fournette grinding down a defense is their best form of attack; run defense being Pittsburgh's biggest issue this season.


For Pittsburgh to win, shutting down that rushing attack is essential. Jacksonville will enter the game ranked second in the league.



Sunday's game will be won provided if Pittsburgh can stuff the run.

 

pittsburgh is 8th in TOP while Jax is 9th. Buffalo is 24th and Denver 5th. Obviously having the ball gives less chance of your opponent to score, and keeps your D fresher.

 

No, vikings defense is better.

The Jets also put 23 points on them yesterday. Not like the Jets are a dynamic offense.

 

eh personally I think the Bills are up there. Faced top offenses, also have way lower time of possession so there defense is out there longer

 

Vikings are 12th in yards allowed, tied for 8th in points, tied for 8th in sacks, and faced saints, steelers, bucanners, lions. 16, 18, 12th, 10th in ppg offense respectively. I would say better than ours but not the best.

 

Don't mean to burst anyone's bubble, but our D has faced only crap QBs and offenses so far.

Total points scored: Browns - 28th. Vikes - 17th. Bears - 29th. Ravens - 30th.

I don't think you can put much stock in our D based on who they played. Jags are 4th. They aren't the reincarnation of the 49ers of the 90's but they are a bigger test than anyone we have faced so far. It's imperative we stone wall Fournette and go from there.

 

But based on stats jags have the better ppg, yards per game, sacks etc than Vikings lol

 

Of course I wouldn’t say elite but improved. Used to get torched by nobodies and now we have a pass rush. I expect our D to get blown up a game or two.

 

Vikings gave up 26 to us hehe


We will see at the halfway mark. I’ll vote for jags, young but explosive

 

I wish we had the Jags secondary...

 

Jags, KC, Cincy, Detroit, Colts with Luck, Titans, Packers take them to thanksgiving. I don't see one " Gimmie" on that schedule. If they come out only losing two of those games, I'd be pleasantly surprised.