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Thread: The dumping on Ben Roethlisberger's 2020 is a pretty huge analytics failure.
How do you talk about the value and boost in the play-action passing game and completely ignore that the Steelers use PA on 8.1% of passes while the rest of the NFL is at 23.1%?
How do you talk about the value and boost in the play-action passing game and completely ignore that the Steelers use PA on 8.1% of passes while the rest of the NFL is at 23.1%?
Rams and Steelers have both played 10 games with almost equal number of passes thrown, yet the Rams have 134 play-action passes (36.0%) compared to 31 for the Steelers (8.1%).
Next lowest teams in PA attempts are Colts & Raiders (59), almost double PIT's 31 (source: @pfref).
Next lowest teams in PA attempts are Colts & Raiders (59), almost double PIT's 31 (source: @pfref).
Steelers have one of the least effective rushing offenses in the NFL. You don't need one to run PA well, but maybe that's the reason why they barely try to use it.
So you have a QB in shotgun throwing quick, short passes 38 times a game to a talented WR corps. It's a unique O.
So you have a QB in shotgun throwing quick, short passes 38 times a game to a talented WR corps. It's a unique O.
The quick passes are putting him at a career low 2.6% sack rate, but also a career-low 6.7 YPA. That's two-fold.
1. The lack of PA doesn't lead to any big, easy plays.
2. His deep ball accuracy has been poor this season.
1. The lack of PA doesn't lead to any big, easy plays.
2. His deep ball accuracy has been poor this season.
You can & should criticize him for the deep throws, but again, they might hit a couple more if he could actually use play action the way a Goff or Tannehill gets to.
What they do however is still effective at scoring, putting up 24+ every single game. (PIT only has 2 return TD)
What they do however is still effective at scoring, putting up 24+ every single game. (PIT only has 2 return TD)
Steelers have the 4th-best starting field position this year.
That helps, but it isn't grossly inflating the team's scoring or Roethlisberger's TD passes a la 2015 Cam/Panthers or 2017 Wentz/Eagles.
That helps, but it isn't grossly inflating the team's scoring or Roethlisberger's TD passes a la 2015 Cam/Panthers or 2017 Wentz/Eagles.
Steelers are tied for 6th with 34 TD drives.
Their average TD drive is 62.0 yards, 6th shortest in 2020, but still longer than Bucs (60.9) and Ravens (59.8), and not far off from Saints (63.2) and #10 Seahawks (63.8).
They're not KC (71.4), but who is on O?
Their average TD drive is 62.0 yards, 6th shortest in 2020, but still longer than Bucs (60.9) and Ravens (59.8), and not far off from Saints (63.2) and #10 Seahawks (63.8).
They're not KC (71.4), but who is on O?
Steelers have 6 TD drives starting inside opponent territory, tied with several teams for 5th place.
1. Bucs - 9
1. Seahawks - 9
3. Dolphins - 8
3. Ravens - 8
5. Steelers - 6
5. Titans - 6
5. Saints - 6
5. Lions - 6
1. Bucs - 9
1. Seahawks - 9
3. Dolphins - 8
3. Ravens - 8
5. Steelers - 6
5. Titans - 6
5. Saints - 6
5. Lions - 6
Situational football has been good for PIT's offense.
8th in 3rd down conversion rate, 7th in red zone TD%.
In 2019 without Roethlisberger, the Steelers ranked 27th and 32nd in those areas.
They were 8th and 1st in 2018 w/Ben. This year is a return to norms for PIT offense.
8th in 3rd down conversion rate, 7th in red zone TD%.
In 2019 without Roethlisberger, the Steelers ranked 27th and 32nd in those areas.
They were 8th and 1st in 2018 w/Ben. This year is a return to norms for PIT offense.
Finally, there's the ragging on his TD:INT ratio (24:5) this year.
It is out of character for him, and this is where a soft schedule helps + defenses being generally bad around the league during this pandemic season.
However, it's been earned, and is a more than legit ratio.
It is out of character for him, and this is where a soft schedule helps + defenses being generally bad around the league during this pandemic season.
However, it's been earned, and is a more than legit ratio.
5 INT - Despite playing on 10-0 team, almost 50% of Ben's passes have come from tied or behind. Wins haven't been as easy as last 2 wks.
Leading - 12 TD, 5 INT
Tied - 3 TD, 0 INT
Behind - 9 TD, 0 INT
Ben has as many TD tied/behind as he does leading, and 0 INT w/o lead.
Leading - 12 TD, 5 INT
Tied - 3 TD, 0 INT
Behind - 9 TD, 0 INT
Ben has as many TD tied/behind as he does leading, and 0 INT w/o lead.
His YPA is also a yard higher when behind.
If anything, playing w/lead has led to his 2020 INTs as he forced 3 of them into end zone late in halves. Also on 3rd & 16 vs. DEN, trying to make a play.
Also had deflected at LOS INT vs. TEN. PIT one of 4 offenses w/10+ batted balls.
If anything, playing w/lead has led to his 2020 INTs as he forced 3 of them into end zone late in halves. Also on 3rd & 16 vs. DEN, trying to make a play.
Also had deflected at LOS INT vs. TEN. PIT one of 4 offenses w/10+ batted balls.
TDs - 35 players have thrown a TD pass of 1-4 yards this year. Ben is not one of them. Guys like Allen/Rodgers/Wilson have 10 of these TDs. 9 for Brady, 8 for PM.
All 24 TD passes for Ben have been 5+ yards, the highest total in the league.
All 24 TD passes for Ben have been 5+ yards, the highest total in the league.
PIT has 10 rushing TDs. One from 12 yards, the other nine are all 1-3 yard plays. So he hasn't boosted or padded his total with short tosses at all this year. They run those plays in.
Roethlisberger has 22 TD passes of 8+ yards this year.
He only needs to get to 26 to have the 2nd most in any of the last five seasons (Mahomes had 34 in his 2018 breakout year w/50 total TD passes).
Roethlisberger's TD passes are as legit as anyone in the NFL this year.
He only needs to get to 26 to have the 2nd most in any of the last five seasons (Mahomes had 34 in his 2018 breakout year w/50 total TD passes).
Roethlisberger's TD passes are as legit as anyone in the NFL this year.
End: I cannot honestly say if this is the best I've ever seen Ben play in the NFL. I miss the deep throws. But I know he's doing a great job in carrying this offense despite its flaws, he's been consistent & he's delivered every game w/points and wins.
Still underrated I guess.
Still underrated I guess.
