Alarming Offense

[Northern_Blitz]

I don't have an answer, but why have they become so 1 dimensional? What caused the wheels to come off. They didn't start the season that way. The first 5 games were all over 100 yards rushing - 141, 109, 169, 136, 129. Game 6 was the first under a 100 at 94. But these last three are rough - 68, 21, 47. Did the line forget how to block after week 5? Its such a stark contrast from where they were to what they've become.

I think it's that teams realized that they didn't have to respect the deep ball too much and they could put more guys closer to the LoS.

But even still, if we fixed the drop problem I think we blow Baltimore out, win in WSH, and still lose to Buf.

If that was course of events I think we'd all feel a lot better about this team than we do now.

[hawaiiansteel]

our offense is offensive.

[Chucktownsteeler]

I think it's that teams realized that they didn't have to respect the deep ball too much and they could put more guys closer to the LoS.

But even still, if we fixed the drop problem I think we blow Baltimore out, win in WSH, and still lose to Buf.

If that was course of events I think we'd all feel a lot better about this team than we do now.

This is correct, I could have sworn I saw 9 and sometimes 10 in the box last night. No team is going to run successfully with defenses stacked like that.

[NorthCoast]

I don't have an answer, but why have they become so 1 dimensional? What caused the wheels to come off. They didn't start the season that way. The first 5 games were all over 100 yards rushing - 141, 109, 169, 136, 129. Game 6 was the first under a 100 at 94. But these last three are rough - 68, 21, 47. Did the line forget how to block after week 5? Its such a stark contrast from where they were to what they've become.

The first month and a half, NFL defenses were not good. Remember offenses were on a record scoring binge? Defenses now have enough tape to know what teams strengths and weaknesses are. And scoring has come down with it.

Add to this that the Steelers have only played a couple of games against experienced starter QBs. The defense took advantage in a big way and led the league in TO margin against them. More offensive possessions=more scoring.

[Northern_Blitz]

The first month and a half, NFL defenses were not good. Remember offenses were on a record scoring binge? Defenses now have enough tape to know what teams strengths and weaknesses are. And scoring has come down with it.

Add to this that the Steelers have only played a couple of games against experienced starter QBs. The defense took advantage in a big way and led the league in TO margin against them. More offensive possessions=more scoring.

Hadn't thought of it this way, but I bet there's some truth to this.

[NJ-STEELER]

Their 1st drive last night was pass pass pass. 1st play a drop by Johnson.

So, you cannot say the running game failed them on the 1st series and others, as they didn't even attempt a run in that 1st series.

claypool came on a sweep the first series

[NorthCoast]

Ben looks shot. Anything past 10 yards is a toss up. What are they practicing?

Seems like the coaches actually believed if they just had Ben we could keep the same philosophy the next year and win 12 to 13 games and hey.. they aren’t far off.

The problem is this team is built to win one way and it seems to only work against teams that have spotty QB play or teams that just aren’t that good.

Almost feels like Ben is holding us hostage

Roethlisberger isn't holding us hostage....but his contract is.

[NorthCoast]

Ben Roethlisberger: ‘Defenses Can Play Fast If You Can’t Run The Ball’

Fixed that for you Roethlisberger:

Ben Roethlisberger: 'Defenses Can Play Fast If You Can't Complete a Pass More Than 5 Yds"

[NorthCoast]

Stat o' the Day:

Avg Depth of Target:

2020 Roethlisberger: 6.9 yds
2019 Rudolph: 7.6 yds
2019 Hodges: 6.3 yds

[JIMBO]

Didn't we bring in Derek Watt as a special teams guy AND a fullback . I haven't seen him blocking or pass protecting . I would think that would help Ben or at least slow down the pass rush so he has more time. Such is Fichtner's game plan!