Daily Links: Ranking Steelers Offense, Ben Drags 4th Down Play Call

Alan Saunders |

Updated: Oct 5, 2023

Steelers Ben Roethlisberger Matt Canada — Pittsburgh Steelers Ben Roethlisberger and Matt Canada at OTAs, June 16, 2021. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger hated the fourth-and-1 call by Matt Canada against the Houston Texans on Sunday. Pickett got sacked and suffered a knee injury on the play. Roethlisberger hated the fact that Pickett was in shotgun, as it was a clear sign that it was a pass. Roethlisberger thought they should have QB sneaked it, handed the ball off to Najee Harris who was the hot hand at the time, or run play-action and take a shot deep like what the Las Vegas Raiders did to the Steelers in Week 3 that resulted in a touchdown.

Ben Roethlisberger couldn’t believe the Steelers went Shotgun on 4th and 1 against the Texans. He Hated the Play-Call. (Via Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger) #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/fp5E4UgAQG

— Blitzburgh (@Blitz_Burgh) October 2, 2023

? According to Warren Sharp of Sharp Football, in first-half offense this year, the Steelers rank #29 in EPA, #28 in yards, and #25 in points scored. Out of 26 first-half drives on the season, only ONCE did they even drive to the red zone. That 3.8% rate (1-of-26) ranks dead last in the NFL. In addition, 15-of-26 Steelers’ drives (58%) have gone 3-and-out, the worst in the NFL. The NFL average is only 34%.

? Warren Sharp also revealed a jarring stat on how the Steelers rely on a dominating defensive performance to win games.

“NFL teams score an average of 22.4 points since 2021, when Matt Canada was made OC… if the PIT D allows less than that, PIT is 19-3-1 (86%). If the PIT D allows more than that, PIT is 1-15 (6%). Worst shift in the NFL,” Sharp said.

? Stephen A. Smith screamed on First Take that he wants Matt Canada out of Pittsburgh.

https://twitter.com/Blitz_Burgh/status/1708890959272919229

? Ian Eagle (play-by-play), Charles Davis (color commentator) and Evan Washburn (sideline) will call thehttps://twitter.com/CBSSportsGang/status/1708859467679330310″>

Steelers-Ravens game on Sunday for CBS.

Chicago Bears coach Matt Eberflus announced that wide receiver Chase Claypool will remain away from team this week. Eberflus also offered some clarity behind his decision to have Claypool inactive for this past Sunday’s game.

“To correct the record for Chase Claypool, we did tell him not to be here for the weekend, including the game. We told him he’d be inactive on Saturday,” Eberflus told reporters. “This morning, we informed him that he’s not gonna be here this week for the game, as well. And we just feel like that’s best for the team at this time. Again, (general manager) Ryan (Poles) and I have informed him of that, and that’s where it is. So we feel like that’s best for the team right now.”

Claypool’s tenure in Chicago has been an absolute train wreck since the Steelers traded him to Chicago at the Week 9 trade deadline last year. He has just one touchdown and the Bears have gone 0-14 in that span.

? Matt Canada called a head-scratching pass concept on Sunday that pretty much set Kenny Pickett up to fail. Running a sail concept to the opposite side of the field is confusing to say the least.