Steelers News

Daily Links: Steelers Worst NFL Offense, Browns Upset Bengals

Published

1 year ago

November 1, 2022

The Pittsburgh Steelers have the worst offense in the NFL by several statistical measures and sit alone in last place in the AFC North after the Cleveland Browns upset the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football.

The Steelers remain the only team still without a touchdown scored from outside of the red zone this season. Their longest touchdown scored was from eight yards out back in Week 2. The Philadelphia Eagles had four touchdowns of 27 yards or more in Sunday’s win over the Steelers.

According to Josh Dubow of the Associated Press, the Steelers are the first team since at least 1991 to score 0 touchdowns from scrimmage from 10+ yards out through eight games in a season. Five teams in that span had one with Washington the last to do it in 2015.

Through eight weeks, the Steelers rank last in the league in points per game (15.0). Pittsburgh also has the worst point differential in the NFL at -77 (120-197).

Since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, the Steelers have allowed 35 or more points in 26 road games. Six of these have happened since Nov. 21, 2021, according to Ryan Scarpino.

Kenny Pickett’s statistics on throws over 10 yards downfield this year are pretty brutal. Pickett is completing 15 of 42 passes (35.7%) (lowest completion percentage in the league), 6.9 yards per attempt (lowest in the league), zero touchdowns and seven interceptions (most in the league).

NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger broke down Eagles defensive tackle Javon Hargrave’s standout performance against the Steelers on Sunday. Hargrave had two sacks, one of which was a strip-sack that resulted in a turnover. “Javon Hargrave was the best defensive lineman on the field Sunday in the Battle for the Keystone State,” Baldinger said on Twitter. “Maybe it was seeing his former Black & Gold teammate, but more than likely it’s the way he normally plays. You know, full Metal jacket and power.”

Former NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho analyzed how the Eagles were playing chess while the Steelers were playing checkers on Sunday. “This isn’t talent, just coaching. Your team should be doing this too,” Acho said about the Eagles’ play-calling.

The Eagles have scored 126 points in the second quarter this season (+96 vs opponent). The Steelers, Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Rams and Houston Texans have not scored 126 points all year.

Peter King of NBC Sports thinks the Green Bay Packers should trade a second – and fifth-round pick to the Steelers for Chase Claypool. “No idea if they’ll do something at receiver to try to get off the 3-5 schneid, particularly with Christian Watson not being able to stay on the field,” King wrote. “But if I’m GM Brian Gutekunst, I’m offering a second in 2023 and a fifth in 2024 for Chase Claypool, right now.”

On 52 pass-blocking snaps against the Eagles, the Steelers’ offensive line allowed a combined 23 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. Dan Moore Jr. gave up nine pressures, while Chukwuma Okorafor surrendered five and Kevin Dotson had four.

According to PFF, seven of Jaylen Warren’s 29 carries have gone for 10 or more yards this season, compared to nine of Najee Harris’ 108. Warren is averaging a full two yards more per carry than Harris.

AROUND THE AFC NORTH

The Cleveland Browns routed the Cincinnati Bengals, 32-13, on Monday Night Football. Nick Chubb led the Browns with 101 yards rushing on 23 carries and two touchdowns (4.4 average), while Joe Burrow struggled without Ja’Marr Chase. The Baltimore Ravens are in first place in the AFC North at 5-3, followed by the Bengals (4-4), Browns (3-5) and Steelers (2-6). The Steelers and Browns both have a bye in Week 9, but the Bengals will host the Carolina Panthers on Sunday at 1 p.m., while the Ravens will travel to New Orleans to face the Saints on Monday Night Football.

The Baltimore Ravens traded for Chicago Bears inside linebacker Roquan Smith.

STEELERS SCHEDULE

The Steelers will return to the practice field at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex for their first of two bye-week sessions at 10:15 a.m.