Steelers 4 Downs: With Saquon Barkley, Eagles call running plays at near-historic rates

1. Ground and pound

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles have a shared history that spans nine decades. Perhaps as a tribute Sunday, they will put on a throwback that evokes those famed, World War II-necessitated 1943 combined-roster “Steagles.”

Though the 2024 editions of the Steelers and Eagles aren’t exactly the proverbial “3 yards and a cloud of dust” of yesteryear, they do rank Nos. 1-2 in the NFL in rate of their plays from scrimmage that are rushing attempts (according to Sharp Football Analysis): 56.5% for Philadelphia and 51.6% for the Steelers.

The Eagles have more rushing yards (2,476) than passing yards (2,348). How rare is that these days? Consider that the team with the most rushing yards last season (the Baltimore Ravens) had fewer yards rushing than the team with the fewest passing yards (Carolina Panthers, 2,741). Over the past 12 seasons, only four teams have finished a season with more rushing yards than passing yards: the 2019 Ravens, 2020 Ravens, 2022 Atlanta Falcons and 2022 Chicago Bears.

Those Falcons had current Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith as their playcaller. The 2024 Steelers join the Eagles as one of only six teams this season that have more rushing attempts than passing attempts.

2. Immovable object/irresistible force

The Steelers, since Russell Wilson took over as starting quarterback in Week 7, are generating big plays at a rate better than any team in the NFL, getting 5.6 plays of 20 or more yards per game. Meanwhile, Philadelphia’s defense, since Week 5, has allowed the lowest rate of such explosive plays (just two per game).

Those big plays are the greatest reason for another significant statistical comparison headed into Sunday’s game: The Steelers, since Wilson took over, are fourth in the NFL in averaging 1.74 points per drive. The Eagles are allowing an NFL-best 1.29 points per drive over that same span.

3. The point is pressure

There is a stark difference in Jalen Hurts’ production this season when under pressure and not.

According to Pro Football Focus, Hurts has the third-best passer rating in the league when “kept clean” at 116.3. But when opponents are pressuring Hurts, his rating drops to 70.0. Hurts’ yards per attempt when he has time is 9.3 (third best in the NFL); when under pressure, he’s 26th at 5.1. Hurts’ completion percentage is 46.1% under pressure and 78.5% when “kept clean.”

Hurts has been under pressure on 39.3% of dropbacks this season, the fifth-highest rate in the league.

4. Plus/minus

The Steelers are tied for the league lead in turnover differential: They and the Buffalo Bills are plus-17. But taking it another step, the Steelers have done an even better job at translating that advantage into points.

The Steelers are a remarkable plus-75 points for the season in regards to turnovers. They are the best in the NFL at points allowed off of turnovers (10) and rank third in the league at generating points off their league-most 28 takeaways (85). Only five teams have fewer giveaways (11: four interceptions and seven lost fumbles).