Post by cityofchamps on Dec 8, 2012 7:50:12 GMT -5
This originally came from BehindtheSteelCurtain on SBNation.com, but I wanted to share it here since some people have an ignorant perception of the Steelers right now. It is easy to look at the Steelers' Defense blowing 4th Quarter leads to Denver, Oakland and Tennessee and say that they are inconsistent. However, when you look at the numbers, it becomes clear that since then, they have changed their philosophy and have become the best Defense in the NFL.
Here are some examples:
In the first 5 games of the season, they were 2-3. During that time, the Steelers Defense sent 5 or more Pass Rushers on 48.5% of Passing plays. Here are the numbers they allowed to opposing QBs:
98/106, 60.9 Comp%, 1004 yards, 6.24 YPA, 200.8 YPG, 9 TDs, 2 INTs, 11 Sacks (2.2 pg)
In the last 7 games the Steelers are 5-2 (with those two losses coming during Ben's injury). During that period the Steelers have only sent 5 or more rushers on 28.8% of Passing plays. Here are the numbers they allowed during that span to opposing QBs:
104/205, 50.7 Comp%, 996 Yards, 4.86 YPA, 142.3 YPG, 4 TDs, 5 INTs, 14 Sacks (2.0 pg)
The QBs they faced during that stretch were: Andy Dalton, RG3, Eli Manning, Matt Cassell, Joe Flacco(2x), and Brandon Weeden. The only ones who aren't legitimate threats are Weeden and Cassell.
While they don't have the gaudy numbers of the Chicago Bears or the San Francisco 49ers, the Steelers have become the ultimate cover Defense. They are able to keep a Charlie Batch-run Offense in contention with any team in the NFL due to the fact that they suffocate opposing QBs, forcing them to throw defensively with screens or check downs. This Defense is built for the playoffs. The Offense will dictate whether or not they get to/win the Super Bowl. If Ben can get fully healthy for the playoffs, the rest of the NFL better watch out.
Here are some examples:
In the first 5 games of the season, they were 2-3. During that time, the Steelers Defense sent 5 or more Pass Rushers on 48.5% of Passing plays. Here are the numbers they allowed to opposing QBs:
98/106, 60.9 Comp%, 1004 yards, 6.24 YPA, 200.8 YPG, 9 TDs, 2 INTs, 11 Sacks (2.2 pg)
In the last 7 games the Steelers are 5-2 (with those two losses coming during Ben's injury). During that period the Steelers have only sent 5 or more rushers on 28.8% of Passing plays. Here are the numbers they allowed during that span to opposing QBs:
104/205, 50.7 Comp%, 996 Yards, 4.86 YPA, 142.3 YPG, 4 TDs, 5 INTs, 14 Sacks (2.0 pg)
The QBs they faced during that stretch were: Andy Dalton, RG3, Eli Manning, Matt Cassell, Joe Flacco(2x), and Brandon Weeden. The only ones who aren't legitimate threats are Weeden and Cassell.
While they don't have the gaudy numbers of the Chicago Bears or the San Francisco 49ers, the Steelers have become the ultimate cover Defense. They are able to keep a Charlie Batch-run Offense in contention with any team in the NFL due to the fact that they suffocate opposing QBs, forcing them to throw defensively with screens or check downs. This Defense is built for the playoffs. The Offense will dictate whether or not they get to/win the Super Bowl. If Ben can get fully healthy for the playoffs, the rest of the NFL better watch out.