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)

2008 Schedule: Looking Forward

If anyone doubts that the game versus Cincinnati was of the "must win" variety, they need only look at how the Steelers have fared against their next five opponents (including playoffs):

1. New England:
   • 13-11 all-time
   • 3-3 at New England
   • Most recent road win was December 13, 1997 (24-21 in OT)
   • 1-6 in their last seven meetings overall


2. Dallas:
   • 14-15 all-time
   • 7-6 in Pittsburgh
   • Most recent win in Pittsburgh was September 4, 1988 (24-21)
   • 1-4 in their last five games overall


3. Baltimore:
   • 15-10 all-time
   • 6-6 at Baltimore
   • 0-5 at Baltimore in their last five games


4. Tennessee:
   • Including games versus the Houston Oilers, the Steelers are 41-29 all-time
   • Including games versus the Houston Oilers, the Steelers are 17-19 on the road against this franchise
   • Since the Oilers moved to Tennessee (1997) the Steelers are 1-7 in the last eight games
   • Their most recent road win versus the Titans was November 25, 2001 (34-24).


5. Cleveland:
   • 58-55 all-time
   • 36-21 at Pittsburgh
   • 10 straight wins overall
   • 16 wins in their last 17 meetings
   • Most recent loss was at home, October 5, 2003 (13-33).

To say that it is a tough stretch ~ perhaps the toughest of the entire season ~ is something of an understatement. Making it all the more daunting is the comparative ease of Baltimore's schedule. Given that fact, it would seem that the Steelers have to do no worse than 3-2 in their next five to have any chance of making the playoffs (unless of course teams like Indianapolis implode, in which case the Wild Card becomes a possibility for Pittsburgh).

So let's hope the Steelers' players rest well for the next week, because there will be no rest for the weary the remainder of this season.

A Quick & Dirty Preview of Games We Don't Care About

Oddly enough there are still teams playing NFL games.

For those who want to know who will win those games -- and why would you -- here's a look at the yards per catch and giveaway/takeaway ratios (a "system" Pat Kirwan mentioned on Sirus radio's Movin' the Chains Inside the Red Zone) for the teams still in the NFL playoffs.

Seattle @ Green Bay
Giveaway/Takeaway: Seattle +10, Green Bay +4
Yards per Catch: Seattle 7.1, Green Bay 7.7

Looks like a nail-biter

Jacksonville @ New England
Giveaway/Takeaway: Jacksonville +9, New England +16
Yards per Catch: Jacksonville 7.5, New England 8.3

New England for the win, but by 13?

San Diego @ Indianapolis
Giveaway/Takeaway: San Diego +24, Indianapolis +18
Yards per Catch: San Diego 6.7, Indianapolis 7.6

These two teams are #1 (Chargers) & #2 (Colts) in takeaways. Looks like a close one as well.

N.Y. Giants @ Dallas
Giveaway/Takeaway: N.Y. Giants -9, Dallas +5
Yards per Catch: N.Y. Giants 6.2, Dallas 8.1

Looks like a blowout in the making

One final comment. One motivation for watching these games is this: Except for Green Bay and Seattle the Steelers will be playing all of these teams next season.