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 Look for Home Field Advantage Under the Arch

It seems that the St. Louis Rams are not enjoying any more support than when they played in Anaheim.

An article from the Associated Press (and posted on the website of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reveals that the Rams' players are quite frustrated with the numbers of fans entering the Edward Jones Dome who are supporting the visiting team:

"Running back Steven Jackson, the most outspoken of the Rams, said after Sunday's 33-14 loss to the Packers that it felt like playing at Lambeau Field minus the frozen tundra. So many disenchanted fans sold their tickets to visitors that the crowd was close to an even split.

'It's a joke,' Jackson said."

Here's hoping the weeknight game doesn't keep supporters of the Black & Gold away.

Steelers @ St. Louis: The Matchups

In his weekly press conference Mike Tomlin said that the Steelers have to "live in a tunnel," and "cannot ride the emotional rollercoaster" that comes with playing in the National Football League. While the players ponder just what all that means let them consider this: Of the six games played on Thursdays this season (i.e. excluding the opening game of the season -- we're trying to get a look at what the short week does to teams) the home team has a 4-2 record; and one of the visiting teams that won was Indianapolis visiting Atlanta.

With that in mind here's a look at some numbers:

St. Louis Offense v. Steelers Defense
Average total yards per game: St. Louis offense 23rd (300.7) v. Steelers defense 1st (258.00).

Average net rushing yards per game: St. Louis offense 21st (97.3) v. Steelers defense 3rd (83.4) Note: Steven Jackson had over 100 yards in the first half against Green Bay last week.

Average net passing yards per game: St. Louis offense 16th (203.4) v. Steelers defense 3rd (174.6)

Average points per game: St. Louis offense 29th (15.71) v. Steelers defense 1st (15.57)

Steelers Offense v. St. Louis Defense
Average total yards per game: Steelers offense 18th (325.0) v. St. Louis defense 17th (329.4)

Average net rushing yards per game: Steelers offense 3rd (139.4) v. St. Louis defense 19th (111.1)

Average net passing yards per game: Steelers offense 26th (185.6) v. St. Louis defense 17th (218.3)

Average points per game: Steelers offense: 8th (23.64) v. St. Louis defense 27th (24.93)

Special Teams
Average yards per punt return: St. Louis 3rd (12.1) v. Steelers 29th (6.5)
Note: Dante Hall is now on injured reserve with a high ankle sprain. In the game against Green Bay the Packers were forced to punt once, and that went for a touchback.

Average yards allowed per punt return: St. Louis 18th (9.7) v. Steelers 17th (8.9)

Average yards per kick return: St. Louis 18th (22.9) v. Steelers 26th (21.3)
Note: Dante Hall is now on injured reserve with a high ankle sprain. In the game against Green Bay rookie Derek Stanley returned six kicks for a total of 121 yards.

Average yards allowed per kick return: St. Louis 32nd (28.2) v. Steelers 13th (22.2)

Net yardage punting average: St. Louis 7th (38.7) v. Steelers 10th (37.7)

Opponent net yardage punting average: St. Louis 31st (39.9) v. Steelers 24th (38.1)

Miscellaneous
Turnover differential: St. Louis 23rd (-7) v. Steelers 12th (+3)

Time of possession: St. Louis 8th (31:01) v. Steelers 1st (33:48)

Red Zone touchdown efficiency: St. Louis 26th (41.7%) v. Steelers 10th (56.3%)

Red Zone defense (touchdowns): St. Louis 26th (57.4%) v. Steelers 19th (53.1%)

Sacks allowed: St. Louis 17th (27) v. Steelers 24th (38)

Sacks: St. Louis 18th (27) v. Steelers 8th (33)

Some Individual Numbers
Passer rating: Marc Bulger 71.1 (7 TDs, 11 INTs) v. Ben Roethlisberger 100.5 (29 TDs, 11 INTs)

Leading rushers: Steven Jackson 862 yards (4.2 yards per carry, 5 TDs) v. Willie Parker 1,317 yards (4.1 yards per carry, 2 TDs)

Leading receiver: Torry Holt 83 receptions (1,055 yards, 12.7 yards per catch, 7 TDs) v. Hines Ward 66 receptions (677 yards, 10.3 yards per catch, 7 TDs)