A Theory about why we struggle to score TDs til the end.

[Captain Lemming]

I was just being shown Kennys relatively poor red zone numbers. Someone else mentioned his modest percentage.

However, Kenny ended 8 of 9 and a score last week. 5 of 6 and a score this week.

I don't think our early lack of scoring has ANYTHING to do with Kennys skill. I don't think his modest game percentage last night are about accuracy.

Looking at red zone numbers are bad. Kenny has a few legit red zone misses.

But how often is Kenny throwing it away? Just think about how often he throws out the back of the end zone and we are kicking field goals?

Then with time running out Kenny is hitting people with laser accuracy?

Kenny is being told to avoid risky passes at all cost people.

Then when we have no choice, Kenny is hitting on passes he won't attempt earlier in the game. He shows his incredible accuracy and his percentage goes through the roof.

Think about those game winning drives. Several of those passes don't happen earlier in the game. Those same drives would stall.

I don't hate it, Kenny is young and it is winning.

But at some point the training wheels gotta come off.

[NorthCoast]

In the RZ the field is compressed, windows smaller. Most passes will be risky unless there's a mistake by the defense. QBs aren't rewarded for passes they throw away. Whether it's Tomlin's voice or his own it's something KP has to overcome.

[WindyCitySteel]

Easy, the O is designed to execute plodding, 12-15 play drives. When it's desperation time, they scrap it and ask the QB to bail them out.

[feltdizz]

He's a rookie.. playing with rookies and a young OL.

[Captain Lemming]

In the RZ the field is compressed, windows smaller. Most passes will be risky unless there's a mistake by the defense. QBs aren't rewarded for passes they throw away. Whether it's Tomlin's voice or his own it's something KP has to overcome.

This is true. But the good news is it is not about ability but about approach which is an easy fix.

[T.Ferguson]

I'm sure some of it is bad throws, every QB has them, some of it is KP being told to protect the ball over and over again and being overly cautious with throws and part of it is simply conservative play calling where the QB is then put into an obvious passing situation, ie, less chance of converting. I don't think it's that mysterious what the issues are, it's not like KP simply becomes a bad QB inside the red zone. Just look at last night Steelers inside the red zone, second and 8, hand off for no yards, 3rd and 8 don't convert, FG. How many QB's are consistently converting a 3rd and 8 in that situation?

[Captain Lemming]

Easy, the O is designed to execute plodding, 12-15 play drives. When it's desperation time, they scrap it and ask the QB to bail them out.

Like Dizz said, he is a rookie. I'm sure finishes like this build confidence in both QB and coach.

Remember, he was an interception machine to start, so a gradual approach is reasonable.

[feltdizz]

Kenny is fine. I think more passes on early downs in the RZ would help but at the same time Najee was eating last night.

[WindyCitySteel]

Like Dizz said, he is a rookie. I'm sure finishes like this build confidence in both QB and coach.

Remember, he was an interception machine to start, so a gradual approach is reasonable.

Same thing with Mason, Ben, Mitch...

[Captain Lemming]

Same thing with Mason, Ben, Mitch...

Ben? Really?
Like I said before- trust.

How conservative was the play calling when Ben was in his prime?

Who was the head coach THE ONLY TIME IN HISTORY the Steelers lead the league in passing? Hint? Same guy holding his rookie QB back right now.

Year before he got hurt Ben LEAD THE LEAGUE in passing... Mahommes MOST BEAT SEASON EVER was 2nd to Ben in attempts and yardage.

[Captain Lemming]

Fun fact,
TO THIS DAY Mahommes has not had as many yards in a season as Ben had in 2018.

Next week he will eclipse it. Clearly Juju is THAT kind of a difference maker.

[Joel Buchsbaum]

I was just being shown Kennys relatively poor red zone numbers. Someone else mentioned his modest percentage.

However, Kenny ended 8 of 9 and a score last week. 5 of 6 and a score this week.

I don't think our early lack of scoring has ANYTHING to do with Kennys skill. I don't think his modest game percentage last night are about accuracy.

Looking at red zone numbers are bad. Kenny has a few legit red zone misses.

But how often is Kenny throwing it away? Just think about how often he throws out the back of the end zone and we are kicking field goals?

Then with time running out Kenny is hitting people with laser accuracy?

Kenny is being told to avoid risky passes at all cost people.

Then when we have no choice, Kenny is hitting on passes he won't attempt earlier in the game. He shows his incredible accuracy and his percentage goes through the roof.

Think about those game winning drives. Several of those passes don't happen earlier in the game. Those same drives would stall.

I don't hate it, Kenny is young and it is winning.

But at some point the training wheels gotta come off.

Yes, but what if we are seeing Pickett celling? IMO he is the reason for the lack of points not Pickens, or Muth. He is the reason we don't throw for many touchdowns and do not pass for many yards . Don't give me the yeah but he a rookie line as an excuse. There is something to it but Brock Purdy delivered yesterday on a day when his defense did not. He has shown me more stuff than Pickett.
I think Purdy is in the running for rookie of the year.

Yes Pickett is winning games thanks to his defense, being on the plus side of the turnovers and the other teams ineptness at QB. But throwing so many short passes and not coming close to hitting big plays....he is showing me that he is a game manager type who can WIN if the DEFENSE is playing well and AND the offense isn't turning the ball over. We are running the ball a bit better lately meaning Pickett has more 3rd and shorts.

[NJ-STEELER]

Easy, the O is designed to execute plodding, 12-15 play drives. When it's desperation time, they scrap it and ask the QB to bail them out.

gotta help the defense stay off the field. Obviously, if you will, blades of grass, unleash hell, we don’t blink

[whisper]

In the RZ the field is compressed, windows smaller. Most passes will be risky unless there's a mistake by the defense. QBs aren't rewarded for passes they throw away. Whether it's Tomlin's voice or his own it's something KP has to overcome.

Come on, we know it's Cool Shades' influence, who has been exposed of "living in his fears" when it comes to the offense. How many good drives were wasted on FGs because Shades got scared to try to go for a TD during the game?

[feltdizz]

Yes, but what if we are seeing Pickett celling? IMO he is the reason for the lack of points not Pickens, or Muth. He is the reason we don't throw for many touchdowns and do not pass for many yards . Don't give me the yeah but he a rookie line as an excuse. There is something to it but Brock Purdy delivered yesterday on a day when his defense did not. He has shown me more stuff than Pickett.
I think Purdy is in the running for rookie of the year.

Yes Pickett is winning games thanks to his defense, being on the plus side of the turnovers and the other teams ineptness at QB. But throwing so many short passes and not coming close to hitting big plays....he is showing me that he is a game manager type who can WIN if the DEFENSE is playing well and AND the offense isn't turning the ball over. We are running the ball a bit better lately meaning Pickett has more 3rd and shorts.

Is the defense scoring points these last 2 weeks?

you do realize San Fran returned a wobbly INT 56 yards due to Bosa’s hit on the QB to set up the game winner.

Purdy isn’t winning games by himself. He has a lot of help… and that is okay but you guys want to use him as an example of winning by himself while saying Pickett needs help to win?

lmao..