Red-zone offense has been efficient — but Steelers strive to get to it more often
So far, so good, with the Pittsburgh Steelers’ red-zone offense.
Through two weeks of the NFL season, only three teams have had a higher rate of conversions of offensive possessions inside the opponents’ 20 yard-line that result in touchdowns.
As quarterback Aaron Rodgers put it this week, “Anything above 70 (percent) is really good.”
The problem, though — with the small sample size noted — is that the Steelers offense has had its issuesn getting to the 20.
Through two games, the Steelers have had a mere five red-zone opportunities.
“That’s not enough,” Rodgers said. “We need to be down there four times a game, I think, on minimum. Then, you’re (striving to be) cashing in at least three of those with touchdowns.
“I think 25 points a game was top 10 last year. Our best year in Green Bay, we were 80% in the red zone. … So we’ve just got to get down there more often. Five times in two games is not enough.”
Only six of the other 31 NFL teams have fewer red-zone trips. The Steelers went a perfect 3 for 3 in the season-opening win at the New York Jets, and they nearly went 4 for 4 when a 22-yard touchdown reception by Ben Skowronek is taken into account.
During this past Sunday’s loss to the Seahawks, the Steelers only twice drove deep into Seattle territory. On the first occasion, they took over at the Seattle 22 after an interception return and scored six plays later after a pair of third-down conversions.
The second opportunity was set up by Jaylen Warren’s 65-yard catch-and-run to the 5. Three plays later, Calvin Austin III flubbed a “scramble drill” and deflected a pass intended for Pat Freiermuth into the hands of Seattle’s Derion Kendrick for an interception.
That play aside, the Steelers had been perfect in what coach Mike Tomlin calls “the red area.”
“I thought, largely, we’ve been really good in the red area,” Tomlin said. “Obviously, until that turnover. Being good in the red area is a major component of good offensive football.”
Chris Adamski is a TribLive reporter who has covered primarily the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2014 following two seasons on the Penn State football beat. A Western Pennsylvania native, he joined the Trib in 2012 after spending a decade covering Pittsburgh sports for other outlets. He can be reached at cadamski@triblive.com.
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