The Pittsburgh Steelers have enough issues offensively and defensively to have fans excited for what solutions the trade market might bring. Unfortunately, not every issue is solvable with a mid-season trade.
All things considered, the Steelers’ offense is playing the best it has in years. Part of that is the natural growth among young players, particularly on the offensive line, coupled with the familiarity of Arthur Smith’s scheme. The rest is thanks to Aaron Rodgers.
The Steelers rank seventh in the NFL for percentage of drives that end in a score. Considering they rank in the bottom half of every cumulative calculation in yardage, that’s not awful. The Steelers also rank 3rd in red zone efficiency, quite a favorable ranking for a team pulling itself out of the mud offensively.
But that sort of highlights the issue. The Steelers are one of the best red zone teams in the NFL - if they can get to the red zone.
Arthur Smith wants the Pittsburgh Steelers to stop beating themselves
Pittsburgh ranks 16th in third-down conversions, with just 39% of third downs converted. To satisfy your curiosity, the defense ranks 24th in third-down conversions, allowing 41.8% to be converted. Offensively, Arthur Smith sees one obvious reason this particular issue is plaguing the offense.
"We were in way too many third-and-longs,” Smith said Thursday of the offense against the Green Bay Packers. “We have to do a better job there."
Steelers fans likely have one third and long that comes to mind. The Steelers were set to face a 3rd and 2 down 10 early in the fourth quarter. DK Metcalf drew a personal foul penalty after the play, creating a 3rd and 17. Rodgers was sacked on the next play, all but washing away the Steelers' hopes of a victory.
"Some of those penalties we got, we can control,” Smith said. “We have to do a better job. We have to stay on track so we get in the red zone more."
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Pittsburgh has faced 3rd and 7+ 37 times this season, compared to 40 attempts at 3rd and 6 or shorter. It’s tough to be efficient when the offense is so often behind the chains.
Luckily, this is one area where Pittsburgh might be able to find some life this week against the Indianapolis Colts. Their defense is the 30th-ranked unit in the NFL at stopping third-down conversions, allowing 47.1% of attempts to be picked up. They also have the 18th-ranked red zone defense.
If the Steelers can stay out of their own way offensively, they may be able to get into a shootout with the Colts’ high-powered offense, and that might just be their best hope at pulling off the upset.