Minnesota v. Steelers: The Weekly Matchup

If the numbers never lie then this game is going to be very close ~ for all the hype the Vikings defense is getting their numbers are fairly pedestrian. But there is no denying that the Minnesota offense if operating at a highly effective level.

Also worth noting is the ineffectiveness of the Steelers' punt return unit. For all the excitement that Stefan Logan generated during the summer it does not appear to have translated into much since the regular season began.

Minnesota Offense v. Steelers Defense
Average total yards per game: Minnesota offense 14th (348.2) v. Steelers defense 3rd (275.2)

Average net rushing yards per game: Minnesota offense 9th (125.0) v. Steelers defense 2nd (74.5)

Average net passing yards per game: Minnesota offense 13th (223.2) v. Steelers defense 12th (200.7)

Average points per game: Minnesota offense 2nd (31.5) v. Steelers defense 11th (18.67)

Steelers Offense v. Minnesota Defense
Average total yards per game: Steelers offense 5th (403.7) v. Minnesota defense 18th (341.8)

Average net rushing yards per game: Steelers offense 15th (107.0) v. Minnesota defense 9th (93.5)

Average net passing yards per game: Steelers offense 2nd (296.7) v. Minnesota defense 24th (248.3)

Average points per game: Steelers offense: 14th (23.33) v. Minnesota defense 18th (20.17)

Special Teams
Average yards per punt return: Minnesota 4th (13.1) v. Steelers 22nd (6.4)

Average yards allowed per punt return: Minnesota 13th (7.8) v. Steelers 11th (7.7)

Average yards per kick return: Minnesota 5th (25.9) v. Steelers 7th (25.1)

Average yards allowed per kick return: Minnesota 9th (21.3) v. Steelers 16th (22.9)

Net yardage punting average: Minnesota 15th (38.2) v. Steelers 9th (40.2)

Opponent net yardage punting average: Minnesota 10th (37.1) v. Steelers 27th (40.6)

Miscellaneous
Turnover differential: Minnesota 3rd (+8) v. Steelers 14th (-4)

Time of possession: Minnesota 7th (31:29) v. Steelers 4th (33:52)

Red Zone touchdown efficiency (touchdowns): Minnesota 1st (65.2%) v. Steelers 2nd (65.0%)

Red Zone defense (touchdowns): Minnesota 2nd (33.3%) v. Steelers 24th (58.3%)

Sacks allowed: Minnesota 21st (14) v. Steelers 24th (16)

Some Individual Numbers
NFC passer rating: Brett Favre, 2nd (109.5) v. AFC passer rating Ben Roethlisberger, 2nd (104.5)

NFC leading rushers: Adrian Peterson, 1st (624 yards) v. AFC leading rushers: Rashard Mendenhall, 8th (349 yards)

NFC leading receivers: Sidney Rice, 16th (23 catches, 409 yards, 17.78 per catch, 2 touchdowns) v. AFC leading receivers: Hines Ward, 1st (41 catches, 599 yards, 14.61 yards per catch, 2 touchdowns)

NFC sack Leaders: Jared Allen, 1st (7.5) v. AFC sack leaders: James Harrison, 2nd (6.0)

NFC interception Leaders: Chad Greenway (OLB) & Cedric Griffin (CB), 4th (tie) 2 each, 0 touchdowns v. Troy Polamalu, 2nd (tie) 2, 0 touchdowns

Simulation predicts close game

The folks at Whatifsports ran 10,000 simulations of this week's Vikings versus Steelers contest and predicts that the Vikings will win, probably in a squeaker.

How close? The average score was Minnesota 23.8-Steelers 23.4.

The web page for this simulated game includes a whole host of simulated statistics ~ very interesting stuff!

Cleveland v. Steelers: The Numbers Never Lie

Each week (or nearly so) I bring you a statistical comparison of the Steelers and their opponent. Now I've decided to give you a look at the actual numbers. What follows is in the same format of the weekly statistics, only now you'll see the actual numbers. Where applicable the season average(s) is included in parentheses.

For this week the only question is why was the game so close?

Cleveland Offense v. Steelers Defense
Total yards: Cleveland offense actual, 197 (248.4) v. Steelers defense average 290.8

Net rushing yards: Cleveland offense actual, 91 (106.2) v. Steelers defense average, 71.2

Net passing yards: Cleveland offense actual, 106 (142.2) v. Steelers defense average, 219.6

Total points: Cleveland offense actual, 14 (11.0) v. Steelers defense average, 19.6

Steelers Offense v. Cleveland Defense
Total yards: Steelers offense actual, 543 (375.8) v. Cleveland defense average, 380.2

Net rushing yards: Steelers offense actual, 140 (100.4) v. Cleveland defense average, 170.4

Net passing yards: Steelers offense actual, 403 (275.4) v. Cleveland defense average, 209.8

Total points: Steelers offense actual, 27 (22.6) v. Cleveland defense average, 24.2

Special Teams
Punt return yardage: Cleveland 1 return, 26 yards (16.3) v. Steelers 1 return, 1 yard (6.8)

Average yards allowed per punt return: Cleveland 19th (8.3) v. Steelers 6th (6.0)

Kick return yardage: Cleveland 5 returns, 153 yards, 30.6 yards per kick (23.4) v. Steelers 2 returns, 55 yards, 27.5 yards per kick (23.7)

Season average yards allowed per kick return: Cleveland 16th (22.8) v. Steelers 10th (21.2)

Net yardage punting: Cleveland 38.8 yards (38.8) v. Steelers 22.5 yards (42.2)

Opponent net yardage punting season average: Cleveland 3rd (34.5) v. Steelers 24th (40.9)

Miscellaneous
Turnover differential actual: Cleveland 0 (-5) v. Steelers 0 (-5)

Time of possession actual: Cleveland 23:14 (28:26) v. Steelers 36:46 (33:18)

Red Zone touchdown efficiency actual (touchdowns): Cleveland 50.0% (27.3%) v. Steelers 50.0% (68.8%)

Red Zone defense season average (touchdowns): Cleveland 13th (47.6%) v. Steelers 23rd (60.0%)

Sacks allowed actual: Cleveland 2 (2.8 average per game) v. Steelers 3 (2.6 average per game)

Some Individual Numbers
Passer rating actual: Derek Anderson, 51.0 (39.0) v. Ben Roethlisberger, 113.6 (102.6)

Leading rushers actual: Joshua Cribbs, 45 yards v. Rashard Mendenhall, 62 yards

Leading receiver actual: M. Massaquoi (5 catches, 83 yards, 16.6 yards per catch, 0 touchdowns) v. Hines Ward, 8 catches, 159 yards, 19.9 yards per catch, 1 touchdown

Sack Leaders actual: David Bowen & Brandon McDonald 1.0 each v. Lawrence Timmons, 2.0

Interception Leaders actual: Brodney Pool, 1 v. Troy Polamalu & Ryan Clark 1 each

Cleveland v. Steelers: The Weekly Matchup

Looking at the statistics it seems that the Browns have achieved their 1-4 record so far this season on merit. One number that screamed out ~ their leading receiver is a fullback; and while he is the Browns' only top 50 receiver (amongst AFC receivers) the Steelers have five.

Cleveland Offense v. Steelers Defense
Average total yards per game: Cleveland offense 31st (248.4) v. Steelers defense 5th (290.8)

Average net rushing yards per game: Cleveland offense 16th (106.2) v. Steelers defense 3rd (71.2)

Average net passing yards per game: Cleveland offense 30th (142.2) v. Steelers defense 14th (219.6)

Average points per game: Cleveland offense 30th (11.0) v. Steelers defense 14th (19.6)

Steelers Offense v. Cleveland Defense
Average total yards per game: Steelers offense 7th (375.8) v. Cleveland defense 29th (380.2)

Average net rushing yards per game: Steelers offense 21st (100.4) v. Cleveland defense 32nd (170.4)

Average net passing yards per game: Steelers offense 4th (275.4) v. Cleveland defense 10th (209.8)

Average points per game: Steelers offense: 14th (22.6) v. Cleveland defense 23rd (24.2)

Special Teams
Average yards per punt return: Cleveland 1st (16.3) v. Steelers 20th (6.8)

Average yards allowed per punt return: Cleveland 19th (8.3) v. Steelers 6th (6.0)

Average yards per kick return: Cleveland 13th (23.4) v. Steelers 6th (23.7)

Average yards allowed per kick return: Cleveland 16th (22.8) v. Steelers 10th (21.2)

Net yardage punting average: Cleveland 18th (38.8) v. Steelers 6th (42.2)

Opponent net yardage punting average: Cleveland 3rd (34.5) v. Steelers 24th (40.9)

Miscellaneous
Turnover differential: Cleveland 29th (-5) v. Steelers 29th (-5)

Time of possession: Cleveland 25th (28:26) v. Steelers 4th (33:18)

Red Zone touchdown efficiency (touchdowns): Cleveland 31st (27.3%) v. Steelers 3rd (68.8%)

Red Zone defense (touchdowns): Cleveland 13th (47.6%) v. Steelers 23rd (60.0%)

Sacks allowed: Cleveland 24th (14) v. Steelers 23rd (13)

Some Individual Numbers
AFC Passer rating: Derek Anderson, 17th (39.0) v. Ben Roethlisberger, 2nd (102.6)

AFC Leading rushers: Jamal Lewis, 14th (212 yards) v. Rashard Mendenhall, 8th (287 yards)

AFC Leading receiver: Jerome Harrison, 48th (14 catches, 88 yards, 6.29 per catch, 0 touchdowns) v. Hines Ward, 2nd (33 catches, 440 yards, 13.33 yards per catch, 1 touchdown)

AFC Sack Leaders: Kamerion Wimbley, 6th (4.0) v. James Harrison, 4th (6.0)

AFC Interception Leaders: Brodney Pool, 22nd (1, 0 touchdowns) v. Troy Polamalu, 22nd (1, 0 touchdowns)

Aaron Smith's Impact

The media and fans alike are now suddenly acknowledging just how important Aaron Smith has been to the success of the Steelers' defense in defending the run; and as simple, declarative statements are made as to the impact of his loss there is very little . . . oh, what do you call that . . . evidence . . . being offered up. So, in order to place Aaron Smith's value in some kind of context, we present the numbers.

As has been mentioned here before, the end of the 2007 season (the last time Mr. Smith missed significant time) saw the Steelers' defense transformed from the NFL's #1 unit to something very less fearsome. In the final six games of the 2007 season (five regular season games and one playoff game) the Pittsburgh defense surrendered 725 yards on 158 carries, for a 4.59 yards per carry average. By way of contrast in the preceding eleven games, all of which Mr. Smith played, the defense gave up 848 yards on 232 carries, for a 3.66 yards per carry average.

Of course 2008 saw Mr. Smith return to the lineup, and during last season the defense gave up an average of 4.0 yards, or more, per carry twice ~ 4.0 yards per carry versus the Redskins and 6.1 yards per carry versus New England.

Finally, so far this season the defense has surrendered an average of 4.0 yards, or more, per carry twice ~ against Cincinnati (19 carries, 100 yards, 5.3 yards per carry) and Detroit (110 yards, 25 carries, 4.4 yards per carry).

I do not expect much from the Browns ~ certainly they will try to run, and there is little doubt that they will run at whomever is on the field for Mr. Smith ~ but the real concern is October 25th when the Steelers host Adrian Peterson. Once can only hope that the committee of players replacing Aaron Smith is up to the task.

Here comes trouble

Word out of Pittsburgh is that Aaron Smith will be missing from this weekend's game, and maybe a substantial number of games besides that. The Steelers have been down this road before ~ i.e. missing their All-Pro caliber defensive end ~ and the results were not pretty.

For a look back to the last time Aaron Smith missed substantial action, a look back that played out more like a nightmare, click here for one of the more illuminating statistical analyses ever completed by Pittsburgh Steelers Fanatic.

Was there ever any doubt?

Pittsburgh is the number one sports city in America.

No kidding.

The Sporting News made it official, and you can read all about it right here

You can also read about what it is to be a displaced 'Burgher here here.

Really?

The nice folks at Sports Illustrated passed along this item from the new issue (on sale Tuesday):



Brett Favre I get (though his performance on Monday night was pretty impressive), but Ben Roethlisberger?

Really?

Steelers @ Detroit: The Weekly Matchup

For all the grief that the Lions take for being a moribund franchise, their numbers so far this season are not so dissimilar from the Steelers'. Whether that is cause for hope for Lions fans or reason for a general panic in Pittsburgh remains to be seen.

One thing that jumps out is that if Stefan Logan does not have a big day on Sunday he may never have one.

Detroit Offense v. Steelers Defense
Average total yards per game: Detroit offense 18th (318.8) v. Steelers defense 6th (279.3)

Average net rushing yards per game: Detroit offense 19th (101.5) v. Steelers defense 3rd (61.5)

Average net passing yards per game: Detroit offense 16th (217.3) v. Steelers defense 16th (218.3)

Average points per game: Detroit offense 17th (20.75) v. Steelers defense 12th (19.5)

Steelers Offense v. Detroit Defense
Average total yards per game: Steelers offense 6th (383.8) v. Detroit defense 21st (355.7)

Average net rushing yards per game: Steelers offense 17th (100.8) v. Detroit defense 19th (361.5)

Average net passing yards per game: Steelers offense 3rd (278.8) v. Detroit defense 25th (240.3)

Average points per game: Steelers offense: 15th (21.25) v. Detroit defense 14th (33.5)

Special Teams
Average yards per punt return: Detroit 3rd (16.0) v. Steelers 21st (6.8)

Average yards allowed per punt return: Detroit 27th (11.8) v. Steelers 8th (6.4)

Average yards per kick return: Detroit 21st (22.0) v. Steelers 15th (23.1)

Average yards allowed per kick return: Detroit 31st (29.9) v. Steelers 8th (21.1)

Net yardage punting average: Detroit 28th (34.4) v. Steelers 7th (41.9)

Opponent net yardage punting average: Detroit 17th (38.7) v. Steelers 25th (40.8)

Miscellaneous
Turnover differential: Detroit 23rd (-3) v. Steelers 29th (-5)

Time of possession: Detroit 7th (31:48) v. Steelers 4th (34:46)

Red Zone touchdown efficiency (touchdowns): Detroit 16th (53.8%) v. Steelers 7th (61.5%)

Red Zone defense (touchdowns): Detroit 25th (64.7%) v. Steelers 26th (66.7%)

Sacks allowed: Detroit 21st (10) v. Steelers 21st (10)

Some Individual Numbers
NFC passer rating: Matt Stafford, 15th(65.5) v. AFC passer rating Ben Roethlisberger, 3rd (98.1)

NFC leading rushers: Kevin Smith, 10th (234 yards) v. AFC leading rushers: Rashard Mendenhall, 11th (210 yards)

NFC leading receiver: Calvin Johnson, 7th (21 catches, 323 yards, 15.38 per catch, 1 touchdowns) v. Hines Ward, 4th (26 catches, 355 yards, 13.65 yards per catch, 0 touchdowns)

NFC Sack Leaders: Jason Hunter, 10th (2.0) v. James Harrison, 6th (3.0)

NFC Interception Leaders: Anthony Henry, 12th (1, 0 touchdown) v. Troy Polamalu, 8th (1, 0 touchdowns)