Aug 16, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley (L) talks to quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) against the Buffalo Bills during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Offensive Explosion
Todd Haley sucks. Right? While he might make us annoyed to the point of wanting to jump off the Clemente Bridge with some of the calls he makes, he appears to be “coming ’round” on recognizing what works vs what doesn’t work for his offensive personnel. That’s not to say he calls a perfect game. Far from it, my friends. He is, however, giving this offense opportunities to make big plays and move the ball consistently down field.
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Red Zone efficiency between the two halves of the game are a different story – around 40% in the first half and above 60% in the second half. What is surprising amongst the sporadic bad play calls, poor personnel management that leads to delay of game penalties, and WR bubble screens that even my four year old can predict is the massive amount of points the Steelers score.
The surprising stat? In their last eight games, the Steelers have scored 27 or more points in seven of them. They average almost 28 per game, which ranks 6th in the league (how about a slow clap for Rodger Goodell, eh?)
The “Killer B’s” as they are now being referred to as – Ben, Brown, Bell, and Bryant. All of them have explosiveness within their respective position. Ben being Ben, Brown and his incredible route running and hands, Bell’s do-it-all ability, and Bryant’s speed have defensive coordinators reeling at times. If the Chiefs cannot contain this explosiveness and keep them under that 28 point average, it’s lights out for the Chiefs.
One last fact on this: The Steelers offense has scored 142 points in the fourth quarter, which ranks as the best in the NFL. The Chiefs defense has only allowed 48 points in the fourth quarter this season, which ranks second in the NFL. Something will give. Guaranteed.
Last surprise: The last time the Steelers ranked #1 in passing yards? 1979, a Super Bowl winning year.