Steelers Morning Huddle 11/3/2013
By Kim Myers
Huddle up!
Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
It’s Game Day Steeler Nation! Don’t count these Steelers out just yet; these aren’t the New England Patriots you’re used to seeing. Of course, these aren’t the Steelers we’re used to seeing either but that’s beside the point. Here’s what’s being said about your Pittsburgh Steelers around the block.
Steelers-Patriots by the numbers
ESPN’s Scott Brown breaks down the Steelers and Patriots matchup in terms of numbers. Here are some of the numbers he highlights.
- 1 Number of Touchdown passes Ben Roethlisberger needs to join Terry Bradshaw in the 200+ passing touchdown club for the Steelers
- 3 Number of interceptions Ben Roethlisberger has thrown against the Patriots in 6 regular-season games
- 14 Number of touchdown passes Ben Roethlisberger has thrown for against the Patriots in 6 regular-season games
- 15 Consecutive field goals made by Patriots K Stephen Gostkowski (Jinx! Jinx! Jinx!)
- 23 Patriots’ rank in passing offense in the NFL
- 27 Steelers’ rank in rushing defense in the NFL
- 31 Patriots’ rank in rushing defense in the NFL
Steelers Red Zone Woes
The PPG’s Ray Fittipaldo explains that the Steelers problems on both sides of the ball in the red zone could be what is primarily contributing to their 2-5 record. At halfway through the NFL the Steelers are 30th in the NFL in red zone offense. Only the Jaguars have a harder time scoring in the red zone than the Steelers do. The Steelers defense ranks 13th in red zone defense, but that is way off where they have been in their Super Bowl run seasons. The Steelers defense has allowed 14 touchdowns so far this season. In 2010, the AFC Champion Steelers allowed 22 touchdowns in 16 regular-season games. In 2008, the Super Bowl Champion Steelers allowed only 21. The Steelers offense is having tougher time being successful in the red area. They’re scoring touchdowns on about 40% of their trips to the red zone, obviously down from last season. Score touchdowns in the red zone and hold opponents to field goals instead of touchdowns. Obviously easier said than done.
Antonio Brown has mid-season’s best catch
Around the League’s Dan Hanzus handed out some midseason awards across the league. Steelers WR Antonio Brown’s touchdown grab against the Bears in Week 4 was chosen as his “Best Catch”. According to Hanzus, this was the moment that convinced him of Brown’s #1 receiver status. You can watch the grab again here.
Here we go Steelers! Here we go!
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