Steelers @ Cleveland: The actuals

The guess here is that things will get worse before they get better. Ben Roethlisberger will be fortunate to return to play before Christmas (the game on December 16th is our guess for his earliest possible return), and the offensive ineptitude is sure to continue until then.

Without further adieu, here are the actuals for week 12:

Cleveland Offense v. Steelers Defense
Actual total yards: Cleveland offense 238 (311.9) v. Steelers defense, (259.1)

Actual net rushing yards: Cleveland offense, 108 (92.2) v. Steelers defense, (89.8)

Actual net passing yards: Cleveland offense, 130 (219.7) v. Steelers defense, (169.3)

Actual points per game: Cleveland offense, 20 (18.9) v. Steelers defense, (19.0)

Steelers Offense v. Cleveland Defense
Actual total yards: Steelers offense, 242 (349.8) v. Cleveland defense, (374.1)

Actual net rushing yards: Steelers offense, 49 (106.8) v. Cleveland defense, (125.3)

Actual net passing yards per game: Steelers offense, 193 (243.0) v. Cleveland defense, (248.8)

Actual points per game: Steelers offense: 14, (21.7) v. Cleveland defense, (23.4)

Special Teams
Actual yards per punt return: Cleveland, 10.75 (14.2) v. Steelers, 1.67 (8.4)

Actual yards per kick return: Cleveland, 5 (26.0) v. Steelers, 18.75 (27.0)

Net yardage punting: Cleveland, 37.8 (36.9) v. Steelers, 38.7 (38.9)

Miscellaneous
Turnover differential: Cleveland, +7 (+1) v. Steelers, -7 (-3)

Time of possession: Cleveland, 33:30 (26:43) v. Steelers, 26:30 (34:08)

Red Zone touchdown efficiency (touchdowns): Cleveland, 50.0% (36.4%) v. Steelers, 100.0% (48.6%)

Sacks allowed: Cleveland, 4 (16) v. Steelers, 1 (22)

Some Individual Numbers
AFC Passer rating: Brandon Weeden, 78.7 QB rating, 65.4% Comp. pct., 1 TD, 1 INT (70.3 QB rating, 205 Comp., 55.3% Comp. pct., 11TDs, 12 INTs) v. Charlie Batch, 38.7 QB Rating, 58.8% Comp. pct., 0 TD, 3 INTs (Career: 77.8 QB rating, Comp., 56.3% Comp. pct., 60 TDs, 48 INTs)

AFC Leading rushers: Trent Richardson, 85 yards, 2.9 yards per carry, 1 TD (670 yards, 3.7 yards per carry, 5 touchdowns) v. Jonathan Dwyer, 19 yards, 2.1 yards per carry, 0 TD (410 yards, 4.6 yards per carry, 0 touchdowns)

AFC Leading receiver: Trent Richardson, 4 catches, 27 yards, 6.8 yards per catch, 0 TD (37 catches, 289 yards, 7.8 per catch, 1 touchdowns) v. Mike Wallace 1 catch, 9 yards, 9.0 yards per catch, 0 TD (46 catches, 565 yards, 12.3 yards per catch, 6 touchdowns)

AFC Sack Leaders: D'Qwell Jackson, 0 (3.0) v. LaMarr Woodley, 0 (4.0)

Breaking News: Steelers nearly make history

While the Steelers had 8 fumbles on the day, the hapless Browns could only recover five of them leaving the Steelers two shy of tying the franchise record for fumbles lost in a game.

The Steelers' team record for fumbles lost, which looked to be at risk for much of the afternoon, was set October 14, 1979 in Ohio, but against the Bengals.

Steelers @ Cleveland: The matchups

For at least the fourth time this season the Steelers face-off against a team that is genuinely terrible, but the fact that they are 1-2 in the previous three matchups should give us all pause.

As for Cleveland, the fact that Trent Richardson is both the leading rusher and receiver for the Browns is all one needs to know about their offense. However, the Cleveland punt return unit is statistically superior to Baltimore's (third in the conference versus twelfth), so there's that.

Cleveland Offense v. Steelers Defense
Average total yards per game: Cleveland offense 27th (311.9) v. Steelers defense 1st (259.1)

Average net rushing yards per game: Cleveland offense 27th (92.2) v. Steelers defense 4th (89.8)

Average net passing yards per game: Cleveland offense 19th (219.7) v. Steelers defense 1st (169.3)

Average points per game: Cleveland offense 25th (18.9) v. Steelers defense 5th (19.0)

Steelers Offense v. Cleveland Defense
Average total yards per game: Steelers offense 17th (349.8) v. Cleveland defense 23rd (374.1)

Average net rushing yards per game: Steelers offense 17th (106.8) v. Cleveland defense 24th (125.3)

Average net passing yards per game: Steelers offense 13th (243.0) v. Cleveland defense 22nd (248.8)

Average points per game: Steelers offense: 19th (21.7) v. Cleveland defense 18th (23.4)

Special Teams
Average yards per punt return: Cleveland 3rd (14.2) v. Steelers 18th (8.4)

Average yards allowed per punt return: Cleveland 31st (13.8) v. Steelers 23rd (10.9)

Average yards per kick return: Cleveland 9th (26.0) v. Steelers 6th (27.0)

Average yards allowed per kick return: Cleveland 3rd (20.4) v. Steelers 24th (25.8)

Net yardage punting average: Cleveland 27th (36.9) v. Steelers 27th (38.9)

Opponent net yardage punting average: Cleveland 5th (37.3) v. Steelers 18th (39.7)

Miscellaneous
Turnover differential: Cleveland 13th (+1) v. Steelers 20th (-3)

Time of possession: Cleveland 31st (26:43) v. Steelers 2nd (34:08)

Red Zone touchdown efficiency (touchdowns): Cleveland 31st (36.4%) v. Steelers 20th (48.6%)

Red Zone defense (touchdowns): Cleveland 13th (51.4%) v. Steelers 14th (51.7%)

Sacks allowed: Cleveland 6th (16) v. Steelers 15th (22)

Some Individual Numbers
AFC Passer rating: Brandon Weeden, 15 (70.3 QB rating, 205 Comp., 55.3% Comp. pct., 11TDs, 12 INTs) v. Charlie Batch, unranked (Career: 77.8 QB rating, Comp., 56.3% Comp. pct., 60 TDs, 48 INTs)

AFC Leading rushers: Trent Richardson, 8th (670 yards, 3.7 yards per carry, 5 touchdowns) v. Jonathan Dwyer, 15th (410 yards, 4.6 yards per carry, 0 touchdowns)

AFC Leading receiver: Trent Richardson, 28th (37 catches, 289 yards, 7.8 per catch, 1 touchdowns) v. Mike Wallace 14th (46 catches, 565 yards, 12.3 yards per catch, 6 touchdowns)

AFC Sack Leaders: D'Qwell Jackson, 25th (3.0) v. LaMarr Woodley, 20th (4.0)

Steelers fan question of the day

This from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette PG+, addressed to the inimitable Ed Bouchette:
"Hey, Ed. Remember that time when the whole team was healthy and all our 1st-stringers started? Me neither."

And according to Jason LaCanfora the Steelers are working out Mike Kafka (who finished the 2012 preseason with a QB rating of 23.1) and Brian Hoyer (who served as Tom Brady's backup for three seasons), with the intention of signing one, or the other, as the backup quarterback.

Ravens vs. Steelers: The actuals

The Steelers dominated in nearly every statistical category, but special teams -- the punt return squads of both teams and Ravens punter Sam Koch -- made all the difference.


Baltimore Offense v. Steelers Defense
Average total yards per game: Baltimore offense 200 (354.1) v. Steelers defense (265.7)

Average net rushing yards per game: Baltimore offense 47 (104.9) v. Steelers defense (85.1)

Average net passing yards per game: Baltimore offense 153 (249.2) v. Steelers defense (171.1)

Average points per game: Baltimore offense 13 (28.2) v. Steelers defense (19.7)

Steelers Offense v. Baltimore Defense
Average total yards per game: Steelers offense 311 (354.1) v. Baltimore defense (390.2)

Average net rushing yards per game: Steelers offense 134 (103.8) v. Baltimore defense (132.0)

Average net passing yards per game: Steelers offense 177 (250.3) v. Baltimore defense (258.2)

Average points per game: Steelers offense: 10 (23.0) v. Baltimore defense (21.8)

Special Teams
Average yards per punt return: Baltimore 24.7 (7.8) v. Steelers 16th (9.0)

Average yards per kick return: Baltimore 25.3 (29.8) v. Steelers 18.0 (27.8)

Net yardage punting average: Baltimore 42.5 (40.0) v. Steelers 35.4 (37.3)

Miscellaneous
Turnover differential: Baltimore +2 (+9) v. Steelers -2 (+0)

Time of possession: Baltimore 27:09 (26:46) v. Steelers 32:51 (34:16)

Red Zone touchdown efficiency (touchdowns): Baltimore 0/2 (65.5%) v. Steelers 0/1 (50.0%)

Sacks allowed: Baltimore 2 (19) v. Steelers 3 (19)

Some Individual Numbers (AFC only)
Passer rating: Joe Flacco, 75.5, 20 Comp., 62.5% Comp. pct., 0TDs, 0 INTs (88.3, 186 Comp., 60.2% Comp. pct., 13 TDs, 7 INTs) v. Byron Leftwich, 51.3, 18 Comp., 46.2% Comp. pct., 0TDs, 1 INT (65.5, 7 Comp., 50.0% Comp. pct., 0 TDs, 0 INTs)

Leading rushers: Ray Rice, 40 yards, 2.0 yds. per carry, 0 TD (628 yards, 4.8 yds. per carry, 6 TDs) v. Jonathan Dwyer, 55 yards, 4.6 yds. per carry, 0 TD (355 yards, 4.6 yds per carry, 0 TDs) & Rashard Mendenahll, 33 yards, 3.3 yds. per carry, 0 TD

Leading receivers: Anquan Boldin, 8 catches, 79 yards, 9.9 yds. per catch, 0 TD (40 catches, 548 yards, 13.7 per catch, 1 touchdown) v. Heath Miller, 2 catches, 22 yards, 11.0 yds,. per catch, 0 TD (43 catches, 431 yards, 10.0 yards per catch, 6 touchdowns)

Sack Leaders: Ngata, Kruger & Ihedigbo 1.0 each v. James Harrison & LaMarr Woodley 1.0 each

Ravens vs. Steelers: The Good, the Bad & the Ugly

The Good

The defense simply has not played a better game this season and, save for a turnover or two that they did not get, could not have reasonably been expected to do any better than they did. While the unit deserves praise there are a couple of members who stood out:

Keenan Lewis had 8 tackles (one for a loss), two assists, and two passes defended. The young man is having a terrific season.

Casey Hampton set the tone early (the second Baltimore possession, to be exact), tackling Ray Rice for a loss in the first series. He played an inspired game, and just looked like the Casey of a couple of years ago.

James Harrison: We have been amongst those throwing dirt on James Harrison's professional grave, but six tackles, two assists, a sack, and just some generally sound play has us feeling foolish about having ever doubted him.

Jonathan Dwyer is the right running back for this offense at this time. He averaged 4.6 yards per carry (coming into the game Baltimore was giving up an average of 4.0 yards per carry), a number that is all the more impressive considering that the Ravens were crowding the line of scrimmage, essentially daring Todd Haley and Byron Leftwich to throw the football.

The Bad

There is not much doubt that having a couple of time outs available late in the game would have been a nice thing. Thought not surprising that there would be some confusion between the offensive coordinator and the backup quarterback, "mistakes" of that kind absolutely will come back to haunt you -- and it did Sunday night.

The Steelers' punt return team has had two dreadful games back-to-back; and Sunday night the four-yard-per-return average helped ensure that the Steelers' offense had consistently poor starting field position (the Steelers' average starting field position was their OWN 17-yard line).

The Ugly

Special teams. In our "Matchups" column leading up to the game we mentioned that the stats favored Baltimore's special teams, and we hate being correct about that sort of thing.

Rashard Mendenhall is simply not the right running back for this offensive line at this time. His propensity for stopping and starting, twisting and turning, is better suited to a zone blocking, stretch kind of offensive line, not the power blocking, north-south approach that the Steelers employ. And before anyone mentions his pass catching ability let's keep in mind that Mr. Mendenahll had three receptions for 17 yards (i.e. 5.7 yards per catch) while the previously mentioned Mr. Dwyer had three catches for 26 yards (i.e. an 8.7 yards per catch average).

Mike Adams looked lost trying to pass block. There is nothing new about that, but against a team like Baltimore that kind of deficiency may get the quarterback killed.

Concussions in the mainstream

Forgive us for blowing our own horn a bit, but the issue of concussions and other brain injuries amongst NFL players has been an issue we've tackled (in our own, small way) for nearly five years. Happily, a real news organization is getting involved.

ESPN (NOT a real news organization) and Frontline are collaborating on a "joint project to investigate the ongoing story of concussions in the National Football League." You can read more about that project here.

At the same time, Frontline has published a report highlighting the inconsistency, and incongruity, of the NFL's stance on traumatic brain injury amongst their players. That report includes previously unreleased documentation related to the disability claim of Steelers great Mike Webster, whose situation was the canary in coal mine on this issue.

We'll just say that Frontline, a PBS program, is one of the very best news/documentary programs on television, if not the best. To get an idea of the quality of their work watch an episode over at their website.

Steelers @ Baltimore: The matchups

The Steelers come off of one of their worst performances of the season and without their starting quarterback, running back, wide receiver/punt returner, and free safety. So, to say that things look bleak would be an understatement. But maybe, just maybe, there is a glimmer of hope to be found in the numbers. However, the special teams statistics show a clear advantage to Baltimore, with Jacoby Jones leading the conference in kickoff return average and touchdown returns (2).

Baltimore Offense v. Steelers Defense
Average total yards per game: Baltimore offense 16th (354.1) v. Steelers defense 1st (265.7)

Average net rushing yards per game: Baltimore offense 20th (104.9) v. Steelers defense 6th (85.1)

Average net passing yards per game: Baltimore offense 13th (249.2) v. Steelers defense 1st (171.1)

Average points per game: Baltimore offense 4th (28.2) v. Steelers defense 7th (19.7)

Steelers Offense v. Baltimore Defense
Average total yards per game: Steelers offense 16th (354.1) v. Baltimore defense 27th (390.2)

Average net rushing yards per game: Steelers offense 21st (103.8) v. Baltimore defense 26th (132.0)

Average net passing yards per game: Steelers offense 11th (250.3) v. Baltimore defense 26th (258.2)

Average points per game: Steelers offense: 18th (23.0) v. Baltimore defense 13th (21.8)

Special Teams
Average yards per punt return: Baltimore 21st (7.8) v. Steelers 16th (9.0)

Average yards allowed per punt return: Baltimore 7th (7.4) v. Steelers 10th (7.9)

Average yards per kick return: Baltimore 1st (29.8) v. Steelers 6th (27.8)

Average yards allowed per kick return: Baltimore 12th (23.0) v. Steelers 25th (25.9)

Net yardage punting average: Baltimore 16th (40.0) v. Steelers 28th (37.3)

Opponent net yardage punting average: Baltimore 26th (41.7) v. Steelers 16th (39.1)

Miscellaneous
Turnover differential: Baltimore 7th (+9) v. Steelers 14th (+0)

Time of possession: Baltimore 30th (26:46) v. Steelers 2nd (34:16)

Red Zone touchdown efficiency (touchdowns): Baltimore 5th (65.5%) v. Steelers 19th (50.0%)

Red Zone defense (touchdowns): Baltimore 1st (43.8%) v. Steelers 20th (55.6%)

Sacks allowed: Baltimore 14th (19) v. Steelers 14th (19)

Some Individual Numbers (AFC only)
Passer rating: Joe Flacco, 7th (88.3, 186 Comp., 60.2% Comp. pct., 13 TDs, 7 INTs) v. Byron Leftwich, unranked (65.5, 7 Comp., 50.0% Comp. pct., 0 TDs, O INTs)

Leading rushers: Ray Rice, 7th (628 yards, 4.8 yds. per carry, 6 TDs) v. Jonathan Dwyer, 15th, (355 yards, 4.6 yds per carry, 0 TDs) & Isaac Redman, 17th (295 yds., 3.5 yds. per carry, 2 TDs)

Leading receivers: Anquan Boldin, 18th (40 catches, 548 yards, 13.7 per catch, 1 touchdown) v. Heath Miller, 11th (43 catches, 431 yards, 10.0 yards per catch, 6 touchdowns)

Sack Leaders: Dannelle Ellerbe, 17th (3.5) v. Larry Foote, LaMarr Woodley, & Jason Worilds 22nd (3.0 each)

What is an "SC" sprain?

Mike Tomlin described Ben Roethlisberger's shoulder sprain as an "SC sprain," and admitted to not knowing what that meant.  For coach, and everyone else, here is some information (emphasis added):

"Sternoclavicular (SC) joint injury consists of ligament trauma to the joint connecting the breastbone [sternum] and the collarbone [clavicle]). It is an uncommon injury.

When a ligament is subjected to acute strain, it may either stretch or tear, partially or completely. Such tearing of a ligament is known as a sprain and ranges from microscopic injury to complete disruption. This injury can occur either at its insertion on either bone, but most commonly occurs in its mid-substance. The sprain may result in partial joint displacement ('subluxation') or complete separation of the joint surfaces ('dislocatio'”). Displacement can occur either anteriorly (collarbone translates towards the front) or posteriorly (collarbone displaces towards the back)."

Non-operative treatment is a more common approach to treating the injury with "initial treatment [consisting] of ice, pain medication and sling immobilization."

Brett Favre suffered the same injury in 2010, and it was that injury that led to his consecutive games started streak of 297 games being broken.  In an article for ESPN.com one specialist pegged the recovery time at three weeks to three months (scroll down to #19).

Mike Tomlin Presser

Mike Tomlin's press conference underway, and he started things off by describing the win as a "gritty performance."

Injuries
Ben Roethlisberger, shoulder sprain, or a "SC sprain" -- which he has no idea what that means.
Antonio Brown, questionable
Marcus Gilbert, questionable
Tory Polamalu, doubtful
Ryan Clark, seems ok but concussion evaluation on-going.
Rashard Mendenahll, questionable

Next week's opponent
Baltimore is the greatest team ever (okay, there is some editorial license there); and it seemed like Coach Tomlin mentioned every player on the Ravens roster as being an excellent/dangerous/emerging player.

Questions & Answers highlights
Ben's injury is a new injury, as opposed to something pre-existing.

Ryan Clark's concussion will play if he is cleared.

Practice protocol will not change because of the opponent.

Discussions may occur regarding the signing of another quarterback.

The backups are capable, and he is not concerned with their ability to perform.

As to Ben's mental state, "he is great."

The playbook may not change just because Byron Leftwich is playing.

He is not concerned with Leftwich being rusty.

Derrick Johnson played a great game.

Alameda Ta'amu  was waived in order to get the best players for the game.

Brett Keisel turned in a "timely performance."

The coaches focus on the healthy guys in preparing for games, and those will be the players who prepare.

The inability to convert a fourth down earlier in the game did influence his thinking later in the game (forth quarter).

Kansas City vs. Steelers: The actuals

Did this game remind anyone else of the Monday night game, versus Miami, immediately before which the Steelers replaced the Heinz Field turf (the one we lovingly refer to as the "Muck Bowl")? Well, just remember that we predicted a breakout performance of the Chiefs; and if not for some ridiculous penalties we would all be talking about another Steelers loss to a woeful AFC West opponent instead of Ben's injured shoulder. While it may be gruesome to do so, here is a look at the actual numbers versus the season's averages (in parentheses) coming into the game. One nugget worth looking at: The Steelers' average punt return figure -- breathtaking.

Kansas City Offense v. Steelers Defense
Total yards: Kansas City offense 290 (357.5) v. Steelers defense (262.6)

Net rushing yards: Kansas City offense 142 (149.9) v. Steelers defense (88.6)

Net passing yards: Kansas City offense 154 (207.6) v. Steelers defense (174.0)

Points: Kansas City offense 13 (16.6) v. Steelers defense (20.5)


Steelers Offense v. Kansas City Defense
Total yards per game: Steelers offense 249 (367.3) v. Kansas City defense (349.9)

Net rushing yards: Steelers offense 95 (104.9) v. Kansas City defense 22nd (102.6)

Net passing yards: Steelers offense 157 (262.4) v. Kansas City defense 11th (247.4)

Points: Steelers offense: 16 (23.9) v. Kansas City defense 30th (30.0)


Special Teams
Yards per punt return: Kansas City 5.7 (10.7) v. Steelers 1.3 (10.2)

Yards per kick return: Kansas City 20.4 (22.2) v. Steelers 23.0 (28.0)

Net punting average: Kansas City 39.1 (40.4) v. Steelers 36.5 (37.4)


Miscellaneous
Turnover differential: Kansas City 0 (-20) v. Steelers 0 (+0)

Time of possession: Kansas City 29:18 (31:58) v. Steelers 31:37 (34:40)

Red Zone touchdown efficiency (touchdowns): Kansas City 33% (31.6%) v. Steelers 25% (53.3%)

Sacks allowed: Kansas City 2 (17) v. Steelers 1 (18)


Some Individual Numbers
AFC Passer rating: Matt Cassel, 46 (68.9, ACTUALS: Comp. Pct.: 42.3, TDs: 0, INTs: 1, Avg. per Comp.: 14.0 yards) v. Ben Roethlisberger, 81.7 (101.1, ACTUALS: Comp. Pct.: 50.0, TDs: 1, INTs: 1, Avg. per Comp.: 9.3 yards) & Byron Leftwich, 65.5 (ACTUALS: Comp. Pct.: 50.0, TDs: 0, INTs: 0, Avg. per Comp.: 10.4 yards)

AFC Leading rushers: Jamaal Charles, 100 yards, 4.3 yards per carry, 1 TD (634 yards, 4.8 yards per carry, 2 TDs) v. Jonathan Dwyer, 56 yards, 2.9 yards per carry, 0 TDs (299 yards, 5.2 yards per carry, 0 TDs) & Isaac Redman 21 yards, 2.6 yards per carry, 0 TDs (274 yards, 3.6 yards per carry, 2 TDs)

AFC Leading receivers: Dwayne Bowe, 4 catches, 55 yards, 13.8 per catch, 0 TDs (45 catches, 571 yards, 12.7 per catch, 3 TDs) v. Mike Wallace, 3 catches, 14 yards, 4.7 per catch, 1 TD (39 catches, 525 yards, 13.5 yards per catch, 5 touchdowns) Note: Heath Miller, 4 catches, 47 yards, 11.8 per catch, 0 TDs

AFC sack leaders: Justin Houston, 1 (6.0 sacks) v. Larry Foote, LaMarr Woodley & Jason Worilds, All had zero sacks. (3.0) Note: Brett Keisel led the Steelers with two sacks on the night.

Kansas City vs. Steelers: The matchups

There is no disputing that the Chiefs have a dreadful record (1-7), but some of their statistics (their "internals" to use the parlance of politics) point to a team that may be ready for a breakout performance. Given the way that the Steelers have always played to the level of their opponent, here's hoping that Monday is not a debacle.

Kansas City Offense v. Steelers Defense
Average total yards per game: Kansas City offense 16th (357.5) v. Steelers defense 1st (262.6)
Average net rushing yards per game: Kansas City offense 3rd (149.9) v. Steelers defense 7th (88.6)
Average net passing yards per game: Kansas City offense 7th (207.6) v. Steelers defense 1st (174.0)
Average points per game: Kansas City offense 25th (16.6) v. Steelers defense 1st (20.5)

Steelers Offense v. Kansas City Defense
Average total yards per game: Steelers offense 14th (367.3) v. Kansas City defense 17th (349.9)
Average net rushing yards per game: Steelers offense 21st (104.9) v. Kansas City defense 22nd (102.6)
Average net passing yards per game: Steelers offense 10th (262.4) v. Kansas City defense 11th (247.4)v Average points per game: Steelers offense: 13th (23.9) v. Kansas City defense 30th (30.0)

Special Teams
Average yards per punt return: Kansas City 9th (10.7) v. Steelers 11th (10.2)
Average yards allowed per punt return: Kansas City 29th (13.2) v. Steelers 16th (8.5)
Average yards per kick return: Kansas City 22nd (22.2) v. Steelers 4th (28.0)
Average yards allowed per kick return: Kansas City 17th (24.2) v. Steelers 26th (26.9)
Net yardage punting average: Kansas City 12th (40.4) v. Steelers 27th (37.4)
Opponent net yardage punting average: Kansas City 5th (38.0) v. Steelers 15th (39.1)

Miscellaneous
Turnover differential: Kansas City 32nd (-20) v. Steelers 13th (+0)
Time of possession: Kansas City 4th (31:58) v. Steelers 2nd (34:40)
Red Zone touchdown efficiency (touchdowns): Kansas City 32nd (31.6%) v. Steelers 15th (53.3%)
Red Zone defense (touchdowns): Kansas City 15th (51.4%) v. Steelers 24th (58.3%)
Sacks allowed: Kansas City 14th (17) v. Steelers 17th (18)

Some Individual Numbers
AFC Passer rating: Matt Cassel, 15th (68.9, Comp. Pct.: 60.4, TDs: 6, INTs: 11, Avg. per Comp.: 6.59 yards) v. Ben Roethlisberger, 2nd (101.1, Comp. Pct.: 67.1, TDs: 16, INTs: 4, Avg. per Comp.: 7.39 yards)
AFC Leading rushers: Jamaal Charles, 4th (634 yards, 4.8 yards per carry, 2 TDs) v. Jonathan Dwyer, 16th (299 yards, 5.2 yards per carry, 0 TDs) & Isaac Redman (274 yards, 3.6 yards per carry, 2 TDs)
AFC Leading receivers: Dwayne Bowe, 6th (45 catches, 571 yards, 12.7 per catch, 3 TDs) v. Mike Wallace, 12th (39 catches, 525 yards, 13.5 yards per catch, 5 touchdowns) Note: Antonio Brown,9th in AFC receiving, is not expected to play.
AFC sack leaders: Justin Houston, 5th (6.0 sacks) v. Larry Foote, LaMarr Woodley & Jason Worilds, 20th (3.0)

Shake-up in Kansas City

As the Chiefs prepare for their game next Monday in Pittsburgh come this report that Gary Gibbs has been elevated to the position of Defensive Coordinator, as well as a couple of roster moves.

Judy Battista calls out the officials

One of the writers whose work I enjoy tremendously is Judy Battista of the New York Times, so it is a happy confluence of events that the Steelers won a game against the New York Giants and Ms. Battista hammers the officiating crew.  Enjoy, won't you?

Steelers @ New York Giants: The actuals

There would have been plenty of ready made excuses had the Steelers lost this game, but instead the team earned a signature win against the best opponent they have faced thus far in 2012. Here is a look at the actual numbers versus the season's averages (in parentheses) coming into the game.

N.Y. Giants Offense v. Steelers Defense
Actual total yards per game: N.Y. Giants offense, 182 (396.8 average) v. Steelers defense, (274.1 average)

Actual net rushing yards per game: N.Y. Giants offense, 68, (114.6 average) v. Steelers defense, (91.6 average)

Actual net passing yards per game: N.Y. Giants offense, 191 (282.1 average) v. Steelers defense, (182.6 average)

Actual points per game: N.Y. Giants offense, 20, (29.3 average) v. Steelers defense (20.6 average)

Steelers Offense v. N.Y. Giants Defense
Actual total yards per game: Steelers offense, 349, (369.9 average) v. N.Y. Giants defense, (386.5 average)

Actual net rushing yards per game: Steelers offense, 158, (97.3 average) v. N.Y. Giants defense, (113.0 average)

Actual net passing yards per game: Steelers offense, 191, (272.6 average) v. N.Y. Giants defense, (273.5 average)

Actual points per game: Steelers offense: 24, (23.9 average) v. N.Y. Giants defense, (20.1 average)

Special Teams
Actual yards per punt return: N.Y. Giants, 0 yards, (6.7 average) v. Steelers, 25.3 yards, (7.5 average)

Actual yards per kick return: N.Y. Giants, 25 yards, (25.4 average) v. Steelers 34.6 yards, (26.1 average)

Net yardage punting Actual: N.Y. Giants, 32.2 yards, (39.5 average) v. Steelers, 36.3, (37.6 average)



Miscellaneous
Turnover differential: N.Y. Giants, +1,(+13) v. Steelers, -1,(+1)

Time of possession: N.Y. Giants,24:45,(30:36 average) v. Steelers,35:15,(34:35 average)

Sacks allowed: N.Y. Giants 2, (7) v. Steelers 4, (14)

Some Individual Numbers
Passer rating: Eli Manning, 41.1, (89.1) v. Ben Roethlisberger, 98.8, (101.4)

Leading rushers: Ahmad Bradhsaw, 48 yards, 3.2 yards per carry, 0 touchdowns (570 yards, 4.5 yards per carry, 4 touchdowns) v. Issac Redman, 147 yards, 5.7 yards per carry, 1 touchdown (Jonathan Dwyer, 299 yards, 5.2 yards per carry, 0 touchdowns)

Leading receiver: Victor Cruz, 5 catches, 67 yards, 13.4 per catch, 0 touchdowns (52 catches, 650 yards, 12.5 per catch, 7 touchdowns) v. Jerricho Cotchery, 4 catches, 50 yards, 12.5 per catch, 0 touchdowns (Antonio Brown, 40 catches, 480 yards, 12.0 yards per catch, 1 touchdowns)

Sack Leaders: Justin Tuck, 2 v. Lawrence Timmons & LaMarr Woodley, 1 each