Dallas v. Steelers: The Matchups

In his fledgling career as a head coach, Mike Tomlin has a fairly mediocre record of 4-3 against the NFC, is 2-2 on the road, and 2-1 at home. Needless to say, 3-1 as a home record would look might good.

While contemplating just how the Steelers are going to handle the NFC's top rated passer, the irresistible force of Marion Barber, and the NFL leader in sacks, we offer this week's look at the numbers (and we draw your attention to a new statistical category we are now including ~ dropped passes).

Dallas Offense v. Steelers Defense
Average total yards per game: Dallas offense 8th (356.4) v. Steelers defense 1st (238.0)

Average net rushing yards per game: Dallas offense 16th (112.4) v. Steelers defense 1st (71.2)

Average net passing yards per game: Dallas offense 6th (244.0) v. Steelers defense 1st (166.8)

Average points per game: Dallas offense 8th (24.92) v. Steelers defense 1st (14.17)

Steelers Offense v. Dallas Defense
Average total yards per game: Steelers offense 24th (308.3) v. Dallas defense 9th (296.8)

Average net rushing yards per game: Steelers offense 22nd (106.7) v. Dallas defense 10th (96.8)

Average net passing yards per game: Steelers offense 19th (201.6) v. Dallas defense 11th (200.0)

Average points per game: Steelers offense: 20th (22.42) v. Dallas defense 15th (21.67)

Special Teams
Average yards per punt return: Dallas 26th (7.0) v. Steelers 29th (6.1)

Average yards allowed per punt return: Dallas 17th (9.5) v. Steelers 3rd (4.5)

Average yards per kick return: Dallas 19th (22.7) v. Steelers 29th (20.4)

Average yards allowed per kick return: Dallas 9th (22.1) v. Steelers 1st (19.3)

Net yardage punting average: Dallas 18th (36.9) v. Steelers 21st (36.6)

Opponent net yardage punting average: Dallas 20th (38.3) v. Steelers 23rd (38.5)

Miscellaneous
Turnover differential: Dallas 23rd (-5) v. Steelers 10th (+4)

Time of possession: Dallas 18th (30:15) v. Steelers 10th (31:33)

Red Zone touchdown efficiency (touchdowns): Dallas 5th (64.7%) v. Steelers 6th (62.2%)

Red Zone defense (touchdowns): Dallas 12th (48.8%) v. Steelers 1st (33.3%)

Sacks allowed: Dallas 8th (18) v. Steelers 27th (36)

Some Individual Numbers
NFC Passer rating: Tony Romo, 1st (103.2) v. AFC Passer Rating: Ben Roethlisberger, 12th (80.0)

NFC Leading rushers: Marion Barber, 9th (870 yards) v. AFC Leading Rushers: Willie Parker, 11th (572 yards)

NFC Leading receivers: Jason Witten, 8th (58 catches, 709 yards, 12.2 per catch, 3 touchdowns) v. AFC Leading Receivers: Hines Ward, 10th (59 catches, 755 yards, 12.8 yards per catch, 6 touchdowns)

NFC Passes Dropped: Terrell Owens, 2nd (7) v. AFC Passes Dropped: Hines Ward, 4th (7)

NFC sack leaders: DeMarcus Ware 1st (15.0 sacks) v. AFC sack leaders: James Harrison, 1st (14.0)