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Steelers need to score points in the 1st quarter against the Packers

By Michelle Kotts

Nov 26, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (9) kicks a game-winning field goal as holder Jordan Berry (4) holds the ball against the Green Bay Packers at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 31-28. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (9) kicks a game-winning field goal as holder Jordan Berry (4) holds the ball against the Green Bay Packers at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 31-28. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Steelers’  play has not looked good in 2021, and there is no sugar-coating it. Sure there are many reasons why, but one specific reason looms large.

A glaring stat came to life during the Bengals game in that Pittsburgh has not scored any points in the first quarter for ten consecutive games.  Sure not scoring in the first quarter is not the be-all-end-all of a football game, and a team can still win in the last three quarters. However, for the Steelers, not scoring in the first quarter has more dire consequences.

Going back to 2018, the Steelers are 12-16-1 when they do not score any points in the first quarter. So in their 2020 season, they scored in the first nine games, and then games 10 and 11; they did not score in the first quarter but won those games.  Then in their last five games, they went 1-4. Then in the playoffs, they did not score in the first quarter and lost yet again.

In the 2021 season, Pittsburgh is 1-2, not having scored in the first quarter. Not a very good prognosis. Now let’s back this up a bit further and go back to 2004 when Big ben came into the league; the Steelers are 30-54-1 when failing to score in the first quarter. That’s a dismal .352 win percentage.

When the Steelers score points in the first quarter going back to 2004, they are 122-40, that’s a .753 winning percentage massive difference between when they do and do not score in the first quarter.

One additional factor to consider is if Pittsburgh failed to score first, then in 88 of 126 games since 2004, they did not score points in the first quarter. If they did score first, then they scored points in the first quarter in 126 of 149 games

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