Article

Steelers Passing Charts: Week 8 Vs. Giants

By Clayton Eckert

Posted on October 31, 2024 at 12:00 am

The Pittsburgh Steelers are now 6-2, on a three-game winning streak, heading into their bye week atop the AFC North following their 26-18 victory against the New York Giants (2-6).

Couple of notes before we jump in. Thanks to Thomas Mock for his great work that helped me learn much of what I’m using in the series visually. Spikes and clear throwaways are removed due to being the correct situational decision and bats at the line of scrimmage. One spike was removed, and a swing pass counted as a run is added.

In QB Russell Wilson’s second start, we continued to see the passing game positively open up. 250-plus yards in each of his starts, which already matches the number Fields had in six games.

278 passing yards and a sharper 20/28 for a substantially improved 71.4 completion rate compared to his debut (55.2). Though the offense’s point total was enough to win in Pittsburgh’s identity, just one passing TD, securing victory with four Chris Boswell field goals and a Calvin Austin 73-yard punt return TD.

The refreshing part for the pass game was a more regular ability to move down the field, but unfortunately going 0/4 in TDs on red zone trips. Biggest hopeful change after the bye, which could really lead this team over the top of some already encouraging play.

4/5 explosive plays for the offense were passes, including the 29-yard TD pass to Austin for his second score and more than half of Pittsburgh’s points. Successful in totality, with a whopping 17 plays of 10-plus yards, with the pass and run game humming overall.

Wilson’s improved passing performance included throwing on the move, including some impressive dimes on continued heavy play-action usage. Taking four sacks was an unfortunate flipside against the NFL’s best defense in the stat. Hopefully, that cleans up moving forward, along with a nerve-racking late-game Wilson fumble on a scramble.

As a passer, though, Wilson looked spry.

Let’s start with a simple view of the 28 charted passes, with the number of throws at each pass distance for Week 8:

#1. 0-5 air-yards: 28.6-percent. Two examples first drive. This early 2nd and 5 was to WR Van Jefferson, who was more involved, and an out route at four air yards and matching gain. Next was a dire 3rd and 20 following a negated TD to WR George Pickens (T Broderick Jones facemask), just taking the flat at one air yard against off coverage to RB Jaylen Warren with a cut and YAC, but just nine yards for the FG settle.

Two more four-yard gains came one drive three (second quarter). This 1st and 10 was another backfield target, to RB Najee Harris wide open on the check-down and adding YAC for the 13-yard gain. Then a 3rd and 4 arose, where Pickens was freed on an out by a vertical route, making the cut and forcing two missed tackles and nice churn as well for 14 yards.

The other four air yardages were the last two throws before halftime. The first was to Austin on a stop, with two nice WR blocks in front for more YAC and 13 yards. Following the removed spike on 2nd and 10 with seven seconds left, taking another check-down against deep coverage that was tackled immediately for four yards into the locker room.

On the first drive of the 3rd quarter, Pittsburgh faced 3rd and 13 following a sack (C Ryan McCollum/G Mason McCormick). Wilson targeted Freiermuth for the first time (finally) in the flat at two air yards. Despite good YAC effort, the eight-yard gain was stopped well short.

Then, in the early fourth quarter, following a McCormick hold and Wilson’s five-yard designed run, it’s 2nd and 15. Forced to move in the pocket (G Isaac Seumalo initial pressure), Wilson was able to flip it to Harris at three air yards, able to add to that for a seven-yard gain—so, much more success in the first half at this distance.

#2. 5-10 air-yards: 25.0-percent. The first play of the game started things nicely, coming out with a play-action boot, selling run to the defense, and getting it to Austin on the out at six air yards with space and YAC for 12 yards.

Drive three (second quarter) featured two plays. First was another play-action boot but to the left. Hit on the pass (Jefferson) on an inaccurate underthrow to WR Scotty Miller, who sat over the middle near the sticks at nine air yards. The very next 2nd and 10, Wilson hit Jefferson on another sit route, taking the six air yarder with a decisive inside cut for YAC and 12 yards.

Later in the same quarter, it’s 2nd and 13. Wilson bails quickly to his left, eventually finding TE MyCole Pruitt, who sat and worked into his vision at seven air yards, and his YAC gaining ten yards.

Two more on the next-to-last drive. 2nd and 13 is the situation again, going to Pickens on the stop at six air yards, where he’s tackled immediately. The following 3rd and 7 was a nice slot out route to Freiermuth just past the sticks (eight air yards), with a couple in YAC for the 11-yard conversion.

Last example was a play-action boot left, with Jefferson running a corner route, flattening smartly to an out to open space, adding some YAC for another chain mover. Largely successful pass distance.

T-3rd. Behind-the-Line: 14.3-percent. Four passes. First was the lone drop of the game, a play-action check-down to Harris, scoping out the blades of grass in front a bit too early.

Then two consecutive examples, drive four second quarter. 3rd and a long 12, Wilson hits Warren on the swing pass, displaying plus vision for YAC along with a nice churn and pickup of 18 yards for an improbable conversion. Next prerogative was to get is to Pickens quick on the WR screen, with a nice block from T Dan Moore in front aiding nice YAC and the 11-yard gain.

Late third quarter, Wilson dumps it to Harris, but defenders are paid to play too. The LB came in hot and free to light him up quickly for the TFL at the catch point (-3). Hit or miss results.

T-3rd. Explosive (20-plus air-yards): 14.3-percent. Also four plays, interestingly from the waning moments of the third quarter on. Go ball from Wilson to Miller that matches a season-high 42 air yards (also from Wilson), but he underthrows his speed a bit and is unable to reel in this contested chance or either target this game.

Next was a big 3rd and 11, a 36-yarder to Jefferson, who made a fantastic catch and adjustment on the underthrown back shoulder right along the sideline. Wow.

Then, a swish of a throw from Wilson on 3rd and 8 to Austin, who got free on a great corner route, turning on the jets for separation. Great placement on Wilson’s throws, dropping it in at 26 air yards and waltz in for the 29-yard TD for the comfortable 23-9 lead.

The final pass was also a great thing of beauty. Play-action roll left, with Wilson delivering a 43-yard accurate bomb at 35 air yards to Pickens, who made a plus catch as well, nearly staying inbounds for the potential YAC for a house call. Good things come to those who wait, which was true for Wilson’s moonballs all late in the game.

T-5th. 10-15 air-yards: 10.7-percent. A 2nd and goal, second drive, was a missed opportunity. Wilson expected Jefferson to sit in the open area of the end zone (14 air yards), if so a likely TD. The following 3rd and goal also failed, an extended play where Wilson triggered late in hopes for Austin in the back of the end zone (11 air yards), but unfortunately, tipped and also incomplete.

The other was mid-second-quarter drive three. This was the flukiest miscue: Wilson found Pickens in the back of the endzone for the red zone TD at 15 air yards, but upon review, it was overturned as he clicked the same foot twice instead of getting both feet in. Frustrating results on all three passes and potential touchdowns, ugh.

T-5th. 15-20 air-yards: 10.7-percent. Yet to be mentioned was 2nd and 3 on drive two. Another play-action roll right, with Wilson finding TE Darnell Washington for his lone target, a 16-air yard corner route with the trailing defender tripping. Led to healthy YAC down the sideline, including a stiff-arm and nearly staying in bounds after beating another defender on the 29-yard gain.

Last came on the third drive. Wilson surveys in the red zone on second and goal, but good coverage, extending the scramble drill right, waiting for something to free up. Finally launches toward the sideline to Warren as he takes a QB hit, who corralled it (16 air yards) but was out of bounds.

Another potential six points off the board, but encouraging moving forward. Seeing the potential of a potent offense has been a rarity, and an ability to light up the scoreboard is so refreshing. Knock on wood, they maximize it post-bye in a gauntlet remaining schedule.

Here are the dots of completions/incompletions for the game:

Short area connection obviously jumps out positively, getting it to playmakers for YAC most of the game. 1/6 from nine to 16 air yards was clearly a negative, with more intermediate issues than his debut. 3/4 explosive plays saved towards the end of the game, displaying nice deep ball accuracy and connection overall.

Completion Rates By Distance:

WILSON:

Behind-the-line: 3/4 (75-percent).

0-5 air-yards: 8/8 (100-percent).

5-10 air-yards: 6/7 (85.7-percent).

10-15 air-yards: 0/3 (0-percent).

15-20 air-yards: 1/3 (33.3-percent).

Explosive: 3/4 (75-percent).

The intermediate range was the bugaboo, otherwise very solid rates.

Completion Rates By Location:

WILSON:

Outside left numbers: 8/8 (100-percent).

Left numbers-left hash: 4/4 (100-percent).

Inside hashes: 0/1 (0-percent).

Right hash-right numbers: 5/7 (71.4-percent).

Outside right numbers: 4/8 (50-percent).

Wilson was interestingly perfect outside the left hashes, but much less successful to the right, and only one pass (incomplete) between the hashes.

Now for the heat maps for charted passes, then completions only:

The two visuals may surprise considering the yardage output, but the strategy was largely to get it to your playmakers in space, and the receivers delivered with over 100 YAC yards. That’s been the case in both of Wilson’s starts, compared to two for Fields (six games). Russ cooked from the recipe of lulling the defense with short passing and great connection on late-game moon balls.

Next, here’s Wilson and Fields’ 204 charted throws of the 2024 regular season:

#1. 0-5 air yards: 41.7-percent. Previously 43.8-percent. 2023 35.0-percent.

#2. 5-10 air yards: 24.5-percent. Previously 27.8-percent. 2023 23.8-percent.

#3. Explosive: 13.2-percent. Previously 13.1-percent. 2023 12.4-percent.

#4. Behind-the-line: 12.7-percent. Previously 12.5-percent. 2023 18.5-percent.

#5. 10-15 air yards: 9.8-percent. Previously 9.7-percent. 2023 13.0-percent.

#6. 15-20 air yards: 7.4-percent. Previously 6.8-percent. 2023 10.8-percent.

In another week with Wilson as the starter, explosives moved up to the sole third rank after tying with behind the line last week. Downticks in 0-10 air yard passes compared to Fields, with increases elsewhere and 15-20 being the biggest increase, encouragingly.

WILSON:

Behind-the-line: 4/6 (66.7-percent).

0-5 air-yards: 17/20 (85.0-percent).

5-10 air-yards: 8/14 (57.1-percent).

10-15 air-yards: 0/4 (0-percent).

15-20 air-yards: 4/6 (66.7-percent).

Explosive: 5/7 (71.4-percent).

FIELDS:

Behind-the-line: 15/20 (75.0-percent).

0-5 air-yards: 57/65 (87.7-percent).

5-10 air-yards: 30/42 (71.4-percent).

10-15 air-yards: 8/16 (50.0-percent).

15-20 air-yards: 5/9 (55.6-percent).

Explosive: 6/20 (30.0-percent).

The only distance Wilson didn’t improve on from his debut was intermediate, which will hopefully be the case after the bye. Wilson has clearly been more successful past 15 air yards, while Fields has the stronger marks at ten air yards or less.

Completion Rates By Location:

WILSON:

Outside left numbers: 12/17 (70.6-percent).

Left numbers-left hash: 7/10 (70.0-percent).

Inside hashes: 0/1 (0.0-percent).

Right hash-right numbers: 7/10 (70.0-percent).

Outside right numbers: 11/16 (68.8-percent).

FIELDS:

Outside left numbers: 35/53 (66.0-percent).

Left numbers-left hash: 14/20 (70.0-percent).

Inside hashes: 11/13 (84.6-percent).

Right hash-right numbers: 26/33 (78.8-percent).

Outside right numbers: 20/31 (64.5-percent).

Wilson’s rates are largely better, with the exception being inside the hashes and to the right numbers. Possibly avoiding batted passes as a shorter QB? Will be interesting to see if he targets the extreme middle of the field more moving forward.

To close, here are the dots and heat maps for all charted attempts. NOTE: heat maps are wider for Wilson since he has fewer passes than Fields, basically an extrapolation. Completions-only views will come, assuming Wilson continues to start, making their future comparisons fair. I’ll link all the weekly articles at the end so you can compare the QBs performances if you’d like: