Steelers 4 Downs: Run game excelling in ‘power,’ short-yardage situations

1. ‘Power’ up

When Derek Watt was stuffed on a third-and-1 play late in the second quarter of last week’s Christmas Eve game, it was jarring for Pittsburgh Steelers fans. Watt had been perfect on fullback dives on short yardage this season — and so had just about everybody else on the team on third- or fourth-and-1 rushes.

Footballoutsiders.com ranks teams in a metric they call “power success.” What it measures is simple: Percentage of runs on third or fourth down with 2 or fewer yards to go that achieve a first down or touchdown. (It also includes first- or second-and-goal running plays from the 1- or 2-yard line).

The Steelers rank atop the NFL in it.

The Steelers are converting 81% of such plays. If you take away the first- and second-down runs near the goal line, the Steelers’ conversion rate pops even better at 85.7% (30 for 35). The Steelers are 19 for 23 in getting a first down on third-and-1 runs. They’re 5 for 6 on third-and-2 runs and 6 for 6 on fourth-and-1 runs. (The Steelers have not had a rush on a fourth-and-2 play this season).

What’s interesting about the Steelers excelling in the “power success” rankings this year is that it was far from the case in recent past seasons. The Steelers were 27th in the league last season, 30th during 2020 and 27th in 2019.

Pickett QB sneak TD!

????: #NOvsPIT on FOX
????: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/L6Q6sHvUpI pic.twitter.com/22rqwvHQH3

— NFL (@NFL) November 13, 2022

2. Higher on Highsmith

That Alex Highsmith was not named to the Pro Bowl roster caught the attention of some Steelers and their fans. Only three AFC players — and six players in the league — have more sacks than Highsmith’s 12. He also leads the NFL with five forced fumbles.

But how does Pro Football Focus grade Highsmith? Among the 54 edge defenders who have played the most snaps this season, PFF has Highsmith at 14th overall and seventh in the AFC. But what’s interesting is despite the sack total, Highsmith doesn’t grade as well in pass-rushing as he does against the run and in coverage.

Highsmith is graded No. 7 overall (No. 3 in the AFC) among edge defenders versus the run and No. 3 overall (No. 2 in the AFC) in coverage. In 46 coverage snaps this season, Highsmith has allowed 18 receiving yards to players he is covering (on four catches and six targets).

Only 18 outside linebackers in the league have been asked to drop in coverage more than Highsmith, which makes his high sack total even more impressive (other players are getting more opportunities to rush the passer) and emphasizes that Highsmith is a complete player. Consider, for example, perennial All Pro Cleveland Browns edge defender Myles Garrett has been asked to play in coverage for three snaps this season.

“Alex is legit,” coach Mike Tomlin said after Highsmith helped the #Steelers preserve a 24-17 victory Monday night against the #Colts. “I think everybody knows that.”

If they didn’t, it’s safe to say they do now.https://t.co/jnrDllJvOg

— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) December 3, 2022

3. No TDs for DJ

Diontae Johnson largely has been a productive wide receiver for the Steelers this season and increasingly so in recent weeks. But while the receptions — in particular, clutch catches — have piled up over the second half of the season, Johnson’s scoring drought is beginning to border on ridiculous.

Johnson remains without a touchdown in 2022 on any of his 89 touches (82 receptions, seven rushes). That by far is the most touches (rushes/catches) by any wide receiver in the NFL this season without a score. Johnson has the 12th-most receptions in the NFL, and no other player among the top 45 in catches is without a touchdown. The wide receiver with the second-most catches who does not have a TD is the Detroit Lions’ Kalif Raymond, who has 40 receptions.

Only seven players in the league have been targeted more than Johnson (130 balls thrown his way). He is one of only four players in the league who have been thrown to at least 33 times and have not scored.

4. Pacing themselves

The Steelers rate in the middle of the NFL in the pace of play of both their offense and their opponents’ offenses this season. The Steelers’ average of 27.97 seconds per snap is 16th in the 32-team league. Opponents of the Steelers this season are averaging 27.83 seconds per play, which is 15th-fastest.

But while most of the breakdowns of that stat (courtesy footballoutsiders.com) also end up at or near the middle of the league pack, there was one split that stood out. Steelers opponents during the first halves of games are operating at the fastest pace of any teams’ opponents in the NFL. The average time per snap against the Steelers defense before halftime this season is 26.52 seconds.

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