Unusual stats from the Steelers Week 6 overtime win

The Steelers came away with a last-minute win in overtime thanks to T.J.Watt’s strip fumble in overtime, allowing them to kick the game-winning field goal.

While the game was much closer than many fans wanted to see, they still won it in a dramatic fashion, which always seems to thrill fans regardless of how close the game is. However, in this case,  games going to overtime sometimes generate odd statistical quirks.   So let’s look at a few from the Steelers’ week six victory.

Steelers Win Streak Continues

Pittsburgh handily rolled to a 14-0 halftime lead in their game against the Seahawks. It was their first game with a 14-0 halftime lead since 12/4/2016 when they played the Giants. Yet when starting a game 14-0 at halftime, the Steelers are still perfect at 12-0. This game is their only one, though, with a 14-0 lead to ever go to overtime.

Most Points allowed though

Despite jumping out to a 14-0 halftime lead, Pittsburgh allowed the Seahawks to score 20 points in the second half, the most points ever they have allowed in a game in which they lead by 14 at the half.

The most they had ever allowed before that was 17, which they gave up in a game dating back to September 3, 1978, against the Buffalo Bills on the road. The most they ever allowed in a home game? That would be 14  in the 2016 game against the Giants.

Ground Chuck

Seattle rushed for a total of 144 yards. It seemed Pittsburgh had difficulty stopping them in the second half, which did not prove enough to bring them victory. Seattle’s 144 is the most rushing yards they have rushed for that resulted in a loss to the black and gold since 1987 when they ran for 135 yet lost 13-9.

This game is also Pittsburgh’s first victory against Seattle since 1987, in which the Seahawks have rushed the ball for at least 96 yards.

Kicking or Sticking?

Between both teams, they had a total of 15 punts in Sunday’s overtime win.  The Steelers seven is the most against Seattle since October 20, 1999, when they had seven in that game as well. Conversely, it was the most ever punts, nine,  by Seattle in a game against the Steelers since their 24-0 loss to Pittsburgh on 10/20/1991.

Considering this game went to overtime, it was the most Punts by the Steelers in an overtime game since their overtime game with Cleveland on 9/9/2018.

Freaky firsts and even odder stats

The Steelers used a little razzle-dazzle by getting Eric Ebron involved in the rushing game. They faked to Najee Harris handing off to Ebron on a sweep left into the endzone. Since 2011 the Steelers have only had a tight end rush the ball three times, not including Sunday’s game. Since 1970 a tight end has rushed the ball nine times. Ebron is the first Steelers tight end to score a touchdown rushing the ball.

This game marked the very first overtime game between the Seahawks and the Steelers. Also, this is the Steelers’ first game since 2008 and only the second one in team history that they won 23-20 against the Ravens. But what are the even odder stats, you ask?

Seattle has had two games against the Steelers in which they had eight-plus punts, the first was an October 20, 1991 loss of 24-0, and their second game came in 2007 at Pittsburgh when they had nine punts and the score of that game 21-0.

With that, the last 23-20 win against Baltimore in 2008 also went to overtime, as did the Steelers Seahawks game. Pittsburgh scored a 46-yard Jeff Reed field goal in overtime to knock off the Ravens. However, even freakier, the last overtime the Steelers played before Sunday’s game was in 2019. And the opponent in that game was, of course, the Baltimore Ravens.

The Steelers have an off week this week. When they return in week eight, they play the Browns, and fans can expect any number of unusually odd stats in that game.