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Breaking down the stats: Why the Steelers defense has allowed so many 3rd down conversions

By Casey Sadekoski

Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Devin Bush (55) and defensive end Cameron Heyward (97) Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Devin Bush (55) and defensive end Cameron Heyward (97) Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) /

It is all about the numbers

It is all about the numbers. Seeing as how the Pittsburgh Steelers are currently ranked 5th in the NFL in defense I compared them to the other top 5 defenses in the league. I was shocked to see that the Steelers are actually #3 in the league in total first downs allowed per game. So I decided to look at any mathematical reasons as to why the Steelers were allowing so many 3rd down conversions. After all, they are a great situational defense ranking 4th in the league in red-zone touchdown percentage.

What I found is that the Pittsburgh Steelers actually force their opponents into 3rd down situations at a rate that has them tied for 5th in the league. None of the other top 5 defenses in the league have dealt with as many 3rd situations in 2020 as the Steelers. Part of that is because of the difference in takeaways. San Francisco is still ranked 3rd right now and they are the only top 5 defense in the NFL generating takeaways at a slower rate than Pittsburgh. The other reason is because of the difference in first downs allowed per play.

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