Steelers @ Cleveland: The Matchups

Cleveland Offense v. Steelers Defense
Average total yards per game: Cleveland offense 29th (292.1) v. Steelers defense 1st (273.9)

Average net rushing yards per game: Cleveland offense 28th (97.3) v. Steelers defense 9th (101.7)

Average net passing yards per game: Cleveland offense 23rd (194.8) v. Steelers defense 1st (172.2)

Average points per game: Cleveland offense 30th (13.9) v. Steelers defense 2nd (14.5)

Steelers Offense v. Cleveland Defense
Average total yards per game: Steelers offense 11th (373.1) v. Cleveland defense 10th (330.5)

Average net rushing yards per game: Steelers offense 16th (116.1) v. Cleveland defense 30th (146.5)

Average net passing yards per game: Steelers offense 9th (257.0) v. Cleveland defense 2nd (184.0)

Average points per game: Steelers offense: 20th (20.8) v. Cleveland defense 6th (19.6)

Special Teams
Average yards per punt return: Cleveland 9th (11.5) v. Steelers 13th (10.5)

Average yards allowed per punt return: Cleveland 22nd (11.7) v. Steelers 12th (8.6)

Average yards per kick return: Cleveland 10th (24.2) v. Steelers 8th (24.5)

Average yards allowed per kick return: Cleveland 10th (24.3) v. Steelers 18th (22.4)

Net yardage punting average: Cleveland 28th (36.3) v. Steelers 21st (38.6)

Opponent net yardage punting average: Cleveland 12th (37.8) v. Steelers 22nd (39.1)

Miscellaneous
Turnover differential: Cleveland 17th (+0) v. Steelers 29th (-12)

Time of possession: Cleveland 21st (29:37) v. Steelers 3rd (32:46)

Red Zone touchdown efficiency (touchdowns): Cleveland 27th (45.8%) v. Steelers 12th (53.7%)

Red Zone defense (touchdowns): Cleveland 3rd (40.5%) v. Steelers 22nd (62.5%)

Sacks allowed: Cleveland 19th (37) v. Steelers 23rd (40)

Some Individual Numbers
AFC Passer rating: Seneca Wallace, Unranked (79.7) v. Ben Roethlisberger, 3rd (91.5)

AFC Leading rushers: Peyton Hillis, 19th (557 yards, 3.7 yards per carry, 3 touchdowns) v. Rashard Mendenhall, 12th (890 yards, 4.0 yards per carry, 9 touchdowns)

AFC Leading receiver: Greg Little, 15th (61 catches, 709 yards, 11.6 per catch, 2 touchdowns) v. Mike Wallace 8th (71 catches, 1,182 yards, 16.8 yards per catch, 8 touchdowns)

AFC Sack Leaders: Jabaal Sheard, 14th (7.5) v. LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison 9th (9.0)

The single greatest play in NFL history

Thirty-nine years ago today.

Steelers Chalk Talk

Steelers.com posts a weekly "Chalk Talk" feature with Bob Labriola and Tunch Ilkin; and if you're not watching these you should. Using coach's film (what they refer to as the "eye in the sky" which is remarkably similar to the view from my seats in Heinz Field) Mr. Ilkin provides in-depth analysis of key moments in each week's Steelers game.

St. Louis vs. Steelers: The Matchups

Given how poorly the Steelers played in all phases versus San Francisco they probably should not take anything or anyone for granted.

St. Louis Offense v. Steelers Defense
Average total yards per game: St. Louis offense 30th (285.3) v. Steelers defense 2nd (276.9)

Average net rushing yards per game: St. Louis offense 26th (99.4) v. Steelers defense 6th (97.2)

Average net passing yards per game: St. Louis offense 27th (185.9) v. Steelers defense 1st (179.6)

Average points per game: St. Louis offense 32nd (23.61) v. Steelers defense 2nd (15.57)

Steelers Offense v. St. Louis Defense
Average total yards per game: Steelers offense 12th (372.9) v. St. Louis defense 21st (359.7)

Average net rushing yards per game: Steelers offense 18th (112.4) v. St. Louis defense 32nd (153.4)

Average net passing yards per game: Steelers offense 7th (260.5) v. St. Louis defense 8th (206.3)

Average points per game: Steelers offense: 20th (20.36) v. St. Louis defense 25th (24.71)

Special Teams
Average yards per punt return: St. Louis 7th (11.8) v. Steelers 14th (10.7)

Average yards allowed per punt return: St. Louis 25th (12.8) v. Steelers 12th (8.3)

Average yards per kick return: St. Louis 20th (22.9) v. Steelers 7th (25.2)

Average yards allowed per kick return: St. Louis 23rd (24.9) v. Steelers 23rd (24.3)

Net yardage punting average: St. Louis 28th (36.5) v. Steelers 22nd (38.4)

Opponent net yardage punting average: St. Louis 15th (38.9) v. Steelers 14th (39.1)

Miscellaneous
Turnover differential: St. Louis 22nd (-4) v. Steelers 30th (-11)

Time of possession: St. Louis 27th (28:09) v. Steelers 2nd (32:23)

Red Zone touchdown efficiency (touchdowns): St. Louis 31st (34.6%) v. Steelers 17th (52.3%)

Red Zone defense (touchdowns): St. Louis 9th (45.5%) v. Steelers 25th (57.7%)

Sacks allowed: St. Louis 32nd (49) v. Steelers 26th (40)

Some Individual Numbers
Passer rating: Sam Bradford, 16th/NFC (70.7) v. Ben Roethlisberger, 3rd/AFC (91.5)

Leading rushers: Steven Jackson, 7th/NFC (966 yards, 4.4 yards per carry, 5 touchdowns) v. Rashard Mendenhall, 13th/AFC (774 yards, 3.8 yards per carry, 8 touchdowns)

Leading receiver: Brandon Lloyd, 16th/NFC (61 catches, 837 yards, 13.7 per catch, 4 touchdowns) v. Mike Wallace, 8th/AFC (67 catches, 1,100 yards, 16.4 yards per catch, 8 touchdowns)

Note: Antonio Brown is the 12th leading receiver in the AFC, and his numbers look like this: 60 catches, 984 yards, 16.4 yards per catch, 2 touchdowns
 
Sack Leaders: Chris Long, 5th/NFC (13.0) v. LaMarr Woodley, 7th/AFCh (9.0)

Steelers @ San Francisco: Random thoughts

de·ba·cle
noun
\dē-bä-kəl, di-, -ba-; ÷de-bə-kəl\

Definition of Debacle:
1: a tumultuous breakup of ice in a river
2: a violent disruption (as of an army) : rout
3a : a great disaster b : a complete failure : fiasco

1. As a fan I want to know everything about my teams; and while I surely know more than most it must also be acknowledged (right at the top) that I do not know as much as I would like.  Having said that, the defensive game plan versus the 49ers ~ specifically the big cushions afforded their receivers ~ is a puzzlement.  Following the victory versus New England much was made of how effective the press coverage was in throwing off the timing between Tom Brady and his receivers.  So, why then, didn't the Steelers use the same approach against a west coast offense that is predicated on timing patterns?  From my perch on the couch it seemed that the Steelers took a much more passive defensive approach than in recent games, and it did not seem to serve them well.

2. Mike Wallace needs to bulk-up.  Since the first month of the season opponent defenses have taken to not only double teaming Mr. Wallace but also playing him more physically at the line of scrimmage; and the approach seems to be working.  In the first four games of the regular season Mr. Wallace averaged 6.25 catches per game for an average of 108.5 yards per game (25 catches, 434 yards).  In the ten games since he has averaged 4.2 catches per game for an average of 64.6 yards (42 catches, 646 yards).  Antonio Brown has certainly benefited from the increased attention Mr. Wallace has received; but if the Steelers are to do an serious damage in the playoffs (i.e. return to the Super Bowl) then Mike Wallace needs to recapture his earlier form.

3. We all respect players who play hurt; but when they hurt the team by doing so then they do the team no favors.  It easy to understand why Ben Roethlisberger dragged his gimpy ankle onto the field Monday night ~ what with the Steelers having been presented an opportunity to vault to the #1 seed in the AFC ~ but he was horrible.  If Charlie Batch is incapable of besting that performance ~ and the suggestion here is that he should start the next two games ~ then one has to wonder why he (or Dennis Dixon) is on the roster.

This could be exhausting

EA Sports' Madden 12 makes a prediction on tonight's game.

Steelers @ San Francsico: The Matchups

Before the season started this looked like a sure win on the Steelers' schedule; which only demonstrates how unpredictable the National Football League is. With Ben Roethlisberger and Maurkice Pouncey uncertain at best for Monday's game, this is shaping-up to be a very big hill to climb.

Looking at these numbers the 49er game plan seems obvious: Keep the opponent on a long field (their net punting average is phenomenal) and force mistakes (#1 in turnovers), thereby giving their offense a short field on which to work.


One statistic, not normally included in The Matchups, that Steelers GM Kevin Colbert believes is significant is average gain per pass play.  For what it is worth, the 49ers are 23rd in the league in the category while the Steelers are 7th.


San Francisco Offense v. Steelers Defense
Average total yards per game: San Francisco offense 26th (309.0) v. Steelers defense 2nd (276.1)

Average net rushing yards per game: San Francisco offense 7th (126.9) v. Steelers defense 6th (97.0)

Average net passing yards per game: San Francisco offense 29th (182.1) v. Steelers defense 1st (179.1)

Average points per game: San Francisco offense 12th (23.61) v. Steelers defense 2nd (15.23)

Steelers Offense v. San Francisco Defense
Average total yards per game: Steelers offense 11th (371.6) v. San Francisco defense 5th (305.1)

Average net rushing yards per game: Steelers offense 17th (114.5) v. San Francisco defense 1st (70.5)

Average net passing yards per game: Steelers offense 9th (257.1) v. San Francisco defense 17th (234.5)

Average points per game: Steelers offense: 19th (21.69) v. San Francisco defense 1st (14.0)

Special Teams
Average yards per punt return: San Francisco 5th (12.3) v. Steelers 8th (11.7)

Average yards allowed per punt return: San Francisco 12th (8.6) v. Steelers 10th (8.3)

Average yards per kick return: San Francisco 1st (28.0) v. Steelers 15th (23.9)

Average yards allowed per kick return: San Francisco 12h (22.4) v. Steelers 23rd (24.8)

Net yardage punting average: San Francisco 1st (43.7) v. Steelers 21st (38.4)

Opponent net yardage punting average: San Francisco 6th (36.9) v. Steelers 12th (38.2)

Miscellaneous
Turnover differential: San Francisco 1st (+21) v. Steelers 26th (-7)

Time of possession: San Francisco 3rd (32:00) v. Steelers 2nd (32:23)

Red Zone touchdown efficiency (touchdowns): San Francisco 30th (42.2%) v. Steelers 15th (52.3%)

Red Zone defense (touchdowns): San Francisco 1st (40.5%) v. Steelers 23rd (57.7%)

Sacks allowed: San Francisco 27th (39) v. Steelers 25th (37)

Some Individual Numbers
Passer rating: Alex Smith, 6th/NFC (91.5) v. Ben Roethlisberger, 3rd/AFC (95.6)

Leading rushers: Frank Gore, 3rd/NFC (1,054 yards, 4.5 yards per carry, 6 touchdowns) v. Rashard Mendenhall, 13th/AFC (710 yards, 3.8 yards per carry, 8 touchdowns)

Leading receiver: Michael Crabtree, 18th/NFC (55 catches, 668 yards, 12.1 per catch, 2 touchdowns) v. Mike Wallace, 6th/AFC (62 catches, 1,034 yards, 16.7 yards per catch, 8 touchdowns)

Note: Antonio Brown is the 12th leading receiver in the AFC, and his numbers look like this: 55 catches, 925 yards, 16.8 yards per catch, 2 touchdowns
 
Sack Leaders: Aldon Smith, 6th/NFC (10.5) v. LaMarr Woodley, 6th/AFCh (9.0)

James Harrison suspended

By now all Steelers fans are aware that James Harrison has been suspended for one game because of his hit on Colt McCoy.  The decision by the league is galling ~ the rule against helmet-to-helmet  hits does not include "incidental contact by the mask or non-crown parts of the helmet in the course of a conventional tackle on a passer," which this it appeared to be ~ as is his being barred from practices and team facilities for this week.  But, for what it is worth, here is the NFL's announcement and rationalization in its entirety:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

12/13/11



HARRISON SUSPENDED FOR ONE GAME FOR FIFTH ILLEGAL HIT AGAINST A QUARTERBACK IN THREE SEASONS



JAMES HARRISON of the Pittsburgh Steelers has been suspended without pay for one game by NFL Executive Vice President RAY ANDERSON as a result of Harrison’s fifth illegal hit against a quarterback in the past three seasons, the NFL announced today.



Harrison was penalized for roughing the passer in last Thursday night’s Steelers-Browns game for an illegal helmet-to-helmet hit against a defenseless quarterback, Cleveland’s COLT MC COY. In addition to four fines for illegal hits against quarterbacks in 2009 and 2010, Harrison also was fined twice for unnecessary roughness during that period. Harrison totaled six fines in that two-year period.



The 2011 League Policies for Players manual states: “Players who were fined for violations in 2009 or 2010, and whose fines were either partially or fully upheld, will be considered second and/or repeat offenders under this policy.” 



Harrison may not practice this week or be at the team practice facility or stadium for any other activities during the suspension. He will be reinstated on December 20. Under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the suspension may be appealed within three business days and an expedited hearing and decision would take place this week in advance of this weekend’s games. Appeals are heard and decided on a rotating basis by either Art Shell or Ted Cottrell, the officers jointly appointed and compensated by the NFL and NFLPA to decide appeals of on-field player discipline.



Rule 12, Section 2, Article 9 of the NFL Rule Book states: “It is a foul if a player initiates unnecessary contact against a player who is in a defenseless posture. (a) Players in a defenseless posture are: (1) A player in the act of or just after throwing a pass.     



Rule 12, Section 2, Article 13 (8) and (3) is also applicable to the roughing the passer penalty called against Harrison.



When a passer is outside the pocket area, as McCoy was, he is still afforded the protection of Article 13 (3), which prohibits defensive players from using their helmet against a passer who is in a defenseless posture, including by “forcibly hitting the passer’s head or neck area with the helmet or facemask, regardless of whether the defensive player also uses his arms to tackle the passer by encircling or grasping him”.



The applicable rules:



PASSER OUT OF THE POCKET

(8) When the passer goes outside the pocket area and either continues moving with the ball (without attempting to advance the ball as a runner) or throws while on the run, he loses the protection of the one-step rule provided for in (1) above, and the protection against a low hit provided for in (5) above, but he remains covered by all the other special protections afforded to a passer in the pocket (numbers 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7), as well as the regular unnecessary-roughness rules applicable to all player positions. If the passer stops behind the line and clearly establishes a passing posture, he will then be covered by all of the special protections for passers.



HITS TO PASSER’S HEAD AND USE OF HELMET AND FACEMASK

(3) In covering the passer position, Referees will be particularly alert to fouls in which defenders impermissibly use the helmet and/or facemask to hit the passer, or use hands, arms, or other parts of the body to hit the passer forcibly in the head or neck area (see also the other unnecessary-roughness rules covering these subjects). A defensive player must not use his helmet against a passer who is in a defenseless posture for example, (a) forcibly hitting the passer’s head or neck area with the helmet or facemask, regardless of whether the defensive player also uses his arms to tackle the passer by encircling or grasping him, or (b) lowering the head and making forcible contact with the top/crown or forehead/”hairline” parts of the helmet against any part of the passer’s body. This rule does not prohibit incidental contact by the mask or non-crown parts of the helmet in the course of a conventional tackle on a passer.<>

Cleveland vs. Steelers: The Matchups

As has been the case so often recently, it's easy to get complacent about this game.  But if there has ever been a team that plays to the level of its competition it is the Steelers, and that is certainly cause for concern.  After all, the last time these two teams played on a Thursday night the Steelers stunk.

Also, Cleveland's red zone defense has been outstanding, which means that it may be tough for Pittsburgh to pull away.

Cleveland Offense v. Steelers Defense
Average total yards per game: Cleveland offense 30th (290.7) v. Steelers defense 1st (273.8)

Average net rushing yards per game: Cleveland offense 30th (93.7) v. Steelers defense 7th (96.9)

Average net passing yards per game: Cleveland offense 31st (197.0) v. Steelers defense 2nd (176.8)

Average points per game: Cleveland offense 28th (14.6) v. Steelers defense 4th (16.3)

Steelers Offense v. Cleveland Defense
Average total yards per game: Steelers offense 11th (367.9) v. Cleveland defense 8th (324.6)

Average net rushing yards per game: Steelers offense 17th (111.8) v. Cleveland defense 31st (151.3)

Average net passing yards per game: Steelers offense 9th (256.1) v. Cleveland defense 1st (173.3)

Average points per game: Steelers offense: 18th (22.3) v. Cleveland defense 8th (20.0)

Special Teams
Average yards per punt return: Cleveland 21st (8.9) v. Steelers 8th (11.7)

Average yards allowed per punt return: Cleveland 26th (12.9) v. Steelers 9th (8.2)

Average yards per kick return: Cleveland 13th (24.3) v. Steelers 12th (24.6)

Average yards allowed per kick return: Cleveland 9th (22.3) v. Steelers 22nd (25.1)

Net yardage punting average: Cleveland 29th (36.2) v. Steelers 19th (38.8)

Opponent net yardage punting average: Cleveland 19th (39.2) v. Steelers 14th (38.6)

Miscellaneous
Turnover differential: Cleveland 19th (-1) v. Steelers 27th (-6)

Time of possession: Cleveland 20th (29:37) v. Steelers 2nd (32:46)

Red Zone touchdown efficiency (touchdowns): Cleveland 24th (45.8%) v. Steelers 12th (53.7%)

Red Zone defense (touchdowns): Cleveland 6th (40.5%) v. Steelers 27th (62.5%)

Sacks allowed: Cleveland 22nd (30) v. Steelers 27th (35)

Some Individual Numbers
AFC Passer rating: Colt McCoy, 12th (76.9) v. Ben Roethlisberger, 3rd (93.6)

AFC Leading rushers: Peyton Hillis, 24th (321 yards, 3.8 yards per carry, 2 touchdowns) v. Rashard Mendenhall, 13th (634 yards, 3.8 yards per carry, 8 touchdowns)

AFC Leading receiver: Greg Little, 15th (50 catches, 513 yards, 10.3 per catch, 1 touchdown) v. Mike Wallace (58 catches, 977 yards, 16.8 yards per catch, 8 touchdowns)

AFC Sack Leaders: Jabaal Sheard, 20th (5.5) v. LaMarr Woodley, 4th (9.0)