Getting to 5-2 on the season isn’t just a number for the Pittsburgh Steelers, it’s a golden ticket to the postseason, plain and simple. Eighty percent of teams that hit that 5-2 mark have punched their playoff ticket since the league expanded the field to 14 teams, according to Zach Smith. Drop to 4-3, and that number plummets to 57 percent. This Sunday in Paris, against the 2-4 Saints, it’s not just another game: a win puts them in prime position to lead the AFC North heading into their Week 9 bye, especially with the Browns up next at home. But they’ve gotta handle business in France first.
Pound the Rock, Seriously
Here’s the wild part: the Steelers are *good* at running the ball. Since Week 3, they’re fourth in the entire league in EPA per rush, per Sumer Sports. That’s elite production! Yet, despite being this effective, they’re only running on a measly 32.8 percent of snaps. That’s second to last in the league. Think about that for a second: they throw the ball on over 67 percent of snaps, which is the second most. And here’s the kicker: the Saints’ defense is the *worst* unit in the NFL in EPA per rush, and they’re giving up the third-most rushing yards per game. This shouldn’t even be a question. Don’t spread the ball out. Don’t try to get cute. Just pound the rock with Jaylen Warren. Control the clock, wear ’em down. It’s the obvious path to victory.
Unlock the Middle, Win Third Down
Beyond the run game, there are two other massive factors. First, they need to figure out how to beat single-high coverage. The Saints show single-high looks at the second-highest rate in the NFL, only behind the Browns. The source mentions that no quarterback in the league faces more single-high looks than Aaron Rodgers, and no one has a lower EPA per play against it (min. 25 dropbacks). Plays over the middle should be there for the Steelers; they just have to connect. Second, and maybe the most frustrating part of their season so far: third down. They are the NFL’s worst team on third down in a bunch of metrics, last in EPA and success rate, and 28th in conversions. It’s not even like they’re facing impossible distances, their average third-down distance is 6.96 yards, which is 13th in the NFL. Compare that to the Eagles, who average a league-high 8.37 yards. Good news? The Saints’ defense ranks 24th in success rate on third down. If there was ever a week to turn this around, it’s this week.
This Sunday in Paris is massive. A win gets them to 5-2 and sets them up to lead the AFC North heading into their bye. Lose, and suddenly that 4-3 record looks a lot less promising for their postseason dreams. After the Saints, it’s back home to Pittsburgh to face the Cleveland Browns in Week 8. They need to get this done.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Behind the Steel Curtain.
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