Steelers 4 Downs: 'Explosive' runs on both sides of ball has been area of gradual improvement

1. Big runs up/down

For a franchise whose ethos has long been embodied by running the ball well and stopping opponents from doing so, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ NFL ranks at each through four weeks could not have been heartening. Headed into their bye this weekend, the Steelers ranked 31st in rushing offense and 19th in rushing defense.

But here’s the thing — the proverbial arrow has been pointing up. The Steelers allowed a season high in rushing yards during their first game (182 from the New York Jets on Sept. 7); they allowed a season best in their most recent game (70 to the Minnesota Vikings on Sept. 28). Similarly, the Steelers’ most rushing yards produced in a game came against the Vikings (131) and their worst output was in the opener (53).

And the biggest reason for each trend is a vast improvement in so-called “explosive” plays. Though defining a parameter can be ambiguous, the league tracks rushing plays of 10 or more yards. For both the Steelers’ offense and defense, the trend in that area is obvious.

Gains of 10-plus rushing yards for the Steelers, by game this season: zero, one, two, six.

Gains of 10-plus rushing yards for Steelers opponents, by game this season: six, four, four, one.

2. Hustle play

Payton Wilson was given appropriate props for his tackle of Minnesota’s Jordan Addison at the Steelers’ 1 yard-line during the fourth quarter of last week’s game. Addison was stopped just short of an 82-yard touchdown — and though the Vikings scored four plays later, more than a minute ran off the clock, which proved valuable as Minnesota started its final possession with 1 minute, 2 seconds on the clock.

Wilson is being lauded for his hustle. He showed speed, too. According to Next Gen Stats, Wilson’s top speed of 22.48 mph is the fastest measured by a linebacker in a game since such data started being collected in 2018.

Wilson covered 74.9 yards of running during the play, the third-most of any inside linebacker making a tackle over the past three NFL seasons.

3. Slot machine

With the likely absence of Jalen Ramsey because of a hamstring injury, it will be interesting to see how the Steelers adjust their secondary. Particularly, who will play the nickel/slot? Because so far this season, that’s largely been Ramsey’s domain.

According to Pro Football Focus, Ramsey by far is the Steelers player who has most often lined up on defense opposite an opponent’s slot receiver. All the Steelers’ other defensive backs combined for the same number of snaps from the slot (65). No. 2 in that category on the team is cornerback Brandin Echols (26).

The Steelers have deployed inside linebackers in the slot for 28 snaps this season — 14 by Wilson, eight from Patrick Queen and six from Cole Holcomb.

4. Field position

A variety of factors contribute, but the Steelers through Week 4 had the third-best average opponent starting field position in the NFL. The average drive against the Steelers’ defense this season has begun at the 27.5-yard line; only the Houston Texans and New York Giants have had their opponents on average start backed up deeper in their own territory.

Perhaps that, in part, explains why the Steelers are allowing on average some of the longest drives this season. By time, only the Miami Dolphins have allowed longer drives than the Steelers’ average of 3 minutes, 19 seconds. By distance, the Steelers concede 38.4 yards per opponent possession — third-most in the league behind Miami and the Dallas Cowboys.

Only five teams have faced fewer opponent possessions than the Steelers (40).