Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Steelers @ Cleveland:
The Matchups

Is there any NFL team that has more rivalry games than Pittsburgh? Perhaps it is because of their recent history of excellence, or because of their ardent fans, or some combination of these and other factors but it seems as though two-thirds of the Steelers' games are against someone with a grudge.

Of course the Cleveland game transcends them all. Here's a look at the numbers after week one:

Cleveland Offense v. Steelers Defense
Average total yards per game: Cleveland offense 25th (205.0) v. Steelers defense 6th (234.0)

Average net rushing yards per game: Cleveland offense 19th (91.0) v. Steelers defense 7th (75.0)

Average net passing yards per game: Cleveland offense 27th (114.0) v. Steelers defense 10th (159.0)

Average points per game: Cleveland offense 22nd (10.0) v. Steelers defense 12th (17.0)

Steelers Offense v. Cleveland Defense
Average total yards per game: Steelers offense 15th (305.0) v. Cleveland defense 27th (487.0)

Average net rushing yards per game: Steelers offense 3rd (183.0) v. Cleveland defense 24th (167.0)

Average net passing yards per game: Steelers offense 26th (122.0) v. Cleveland defense 26th (320.0)

Average points per game: Steelers offense: 1st (38.0) v. Cleveland defense 12th (28.0)

Special Teams
Average yards per punt return: Cleveland 9th (11.5) v. Steelers 28th (-3.0)

Average yards allowed per punt return: Cleveland 10th (4.0) v. Steelers 7th (2.5)

Average yards per kick return: Cleveland 17th (18.0) v. Steelers 14th (19.8)

Average yards allowed per kick return: Cleveland 14th (19.5) v. Steelers 13th (18.7)

Net yardage punting average: Cleveland 21st (35.0) v. Steelers 5th (41.3)

Opponent net yardage punting average: Cleveland 12th (37.0) v. Steelers 17th (39.0)

Miscellaneous
Turnover differential: Cleveland 6th (+1) v. Steelers 3rd (+2)

Time of possession: Cleveland 28th (22:31) v. Steelers 9th (31:31)

Red Zone touchdown efficiency (touchdowns): Cleveland 11th (50.0%) v. Steelers 2nd (100.0%)

Red Zone defense (touchdowns): Cleveland 19th (60.0%) v. Steelers 23rd (66.7%)

Sacks allowed: Cleveland 15th (31) v. Steelers 25th (47)

Sacks Allowed: Cleveland: 1 v. Steelers: 2

Some Individual Numbers
AFC Passer rating: Derek Anderson, 9th (74.0) v. Ben Roethlisberger, 1st (147.0)

AFC Leading rushers: Jamal Lewis, 9th (62 yards) v. Willie Parker, 2nd (138 yards)

AFC Leading receiver: Kellen Winslow, 14th (5 catches, 47 yards, 9.4 per catch, 1 touchdowns) v. Hines Ward, 8th (6 catches, 76 yards, 12.7 yards per catch, 2 touchdowns)

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