Steelers Finish with Lowest Total Defense Since 1991
by ncoolong on Dec 29, 2008 4:00 PM EST
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With Pittsburgh's complete annihilation of the hapless Browns in the final week of the season, they finished the 2008 regular season as the stingiest overall defense (237.2 yards per game) since the 1991 Eagles, who gave up an appaling 221.8 yards per game.
It's the second consecutive year the Steelers have earned the top spot. They allowed 266.4 yards per game last year, besting Tampa Bay's 278.4 in 2007.
The Steelers surrendered a league-low 156.9 passing yards per contest, 23 yards fewer than second place Baltimore (179.7). They finished second against the run, giving up 80.2. Minnesota allowed 76.9.
It's the fourth time since 2001 they've finished the regular season as the league's top-ranked defense. That's more than any other team over that stretch. They finished in the top five in five of those years (2008, 2007, 2005, 2004 and 2001).
The Steelers also led the league in scoring defense, giving up an average of 13.9 points per game. Pittsburgh became the first team since 1971 to go 14 consecutive games without giving up 300 or more yards to its opponent. The only team that achieved that mark was Tennessee - the Titans had 322 total yards in a 34-14 victory in Week 16.
It remains to be seen how much that will help the No. 2-seeded Steelers. The 2005 version of the team was the last in the NFL to be ranked in the top five of total defense and go on to win a Super Bowl. The 2002 Buccaneers were the last to finish first in total defense and win a Super Bowl.
It should be noted that Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was the defensive backs coach of that Tampa Bay team, and one of his players, free safety Dexter Jackson, was named MVP of Super Bowl XXXVIII.
That defense lifted the Steelers to a 12-4 overall record, with their only losses coming to playoff-bound teams - Tennessee, New York Giants (the No. 1 seeds), Indianapolis and Philadelphia. Pittsburgh did not surrender a 100-yard rusher, and finished second in the NFL with 51 sacks.
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good to know
It’s funny that all the playoff teams that we’ve faced we have lost to except B-more and San Diego (close one.) I really hope that B-more gets knocked out and we take on indy.
by SoCalSteelerFan on Dec 29, 2008 6:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
If Bmore loses to Miami
Miami will come to Pittsburgh being the 3 seed.
by _ET_ on Dec 29, 2008 9:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Good defense
I think its amazing what we accomplished. Imagine if we had the pansy pat’s schedule.
Against the toughest sched in 30 years, we matched the best defense in 17.
I think its something worthy of note, and when you consider we never ever got tooled or blown out on defense I think its a good sign for the future. I am convinced our offensive blunders are the only thing that can stop us. That and maybe losing a long snapper.
by Mechem on Dec 29, 2008 6:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
not to mention
more than ever rules favor the offenses, gotta take that into account.
by TheMostViolentTeam on Dec 29, 2008 7:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
very good point
which makes the accomplishments of our defense even more amazing. Especially the secondary which, with the exception of Polamolu, has been maligned in recent years. This year I can actually say, “I like Ike”!
by qwikdoc on Dec 29, 2008 7:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Can't say enough!
Great summary there!
Coach Lebeau and his men are the reason we’re sitting here at 12-4 – they kept all of those games within reach so our often struggling offense could catch up. They deserve all the praise in the world, but I’m afraid the message still has to be, “keep your powder dry”. Can’t wait to see these guys tear into the post season.
by SCSteeler on Dec 29, 2008 7:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
harrison
rom peter king:
“Found another "Family Guy’’ fan: James Harrison of the Steelers, who seems totally disinterested in people telling him what a great football player he is. "I don’t read my press clippings,‘’ he told me in a revealing exclusive. "I just do my work, go home, and flip on the Cartoon Network. I can’t be a football fan.‘’ He said "Family Guy’’ is one of his favorite cartoons. "One thing I can’t figure out though,‘’ he said. "Who hears what Stewie says? Is it just Brian? I don’t think the mother hears him.‘’ Now you’ve discovered the real secret to life, James Harrison.”
by thetackle on Dec 29, 2008 7:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
one correction
I think we have 51 sacks. Not sure where you got the stat, but some of the outlets hadnt updated as of last night. I am pretty sure at least that the 3 we had yesterday gave us 51 for the year.
by Blitzburgh on Dec 29, 2008 7:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
EDIT
Yes, you are correct, I think the NFL went through it again, but this morning it said 48. I changed it.
by ncoolong on Dec 29, 2008 9:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
the fact
we only finished with 51 (fell off pace a bit at end) shows how offenses were doing EVERYTHING they could at the end of the year to avoid our pass rush, they would even take themselves away from their own offensive strengths…ties into teams just running the ball just so their offense wouldn’t be at as much risk with our defense. seriously unbelievable.
by TheMostViolentTeam on Dec 29, 2008 11:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Just look at Gradkowski
He couldn’t have held onto the ball for more than 30 seconds the entire game. He couldn’t WAIT to get rid of that thing. Not gonna get a whole lot of sacks if the QB is reading short slant or nothing on every pass attempt.
by ncoolong on Dec 30, 2008 12:27 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Now, I'm not a rating-ologist
…but I believe that’s pretty much the worst performance of all time. Welcome home, kid!
by ncoolong on Dec 30, 2008 9:52 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Just read something interesting in PPG
Although we finished second in rushing yards allowed, we were actually first in rushing yards alllowed per carry 3.29 to the Vikings 3.32.
by Jonny B. on Dec 30, 2008 12:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
All they needed to do was hold it together for the titans game and they would have been set. Maybe next year.
by steelguy99 on Dec 30, 2008 12:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe next year our offense will actually pull away from teams, forcing teams into the pass the second half of games.
by Jonny B. on Dec 30, 2008 12:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You could make the argument that our offense helped the defense this year by giving them the ball on our half of the field. It’s a lot harder to get yards when you start at the 15 of PIT.
I hope for less “help” next year.
by steelguy99 on Dec 30, 2008 12:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yards per play is key
Overall, the Steelers gave up just 3.9 yards per play, versus 4.5 for the next best defense (Ravens). Because of the Steelers weak offense, our defense was on the field more than it should have been, but still led the league in fewest yards. The Steelers faced 974 plays, versus just 922 for the Ravens, for example. If our offense was a little better, it would have helped the defensive statistics as well.
by Steelin on Dec 30, 2008 1:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Speaking of Time of Possession...
Pittsburgh finished 2008 ranked sixth in the NFL averaging 31:41 of possession per game. I understand what you’re saying about the Steelers offense overall, but the defense was on the field less than most teams in the league.
by ncoolong on Dec 30, 2008 3:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I’d want to get the hell off the field too if I was playing against this defense.
by steelguy99 on Dec 30, 2008 3:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
the defense was on the field less than most teams in the league,
despite the offense, not because of it. Our defense forced a lot of 3 and outs and created a fair share of turnovers (especially lately). The problem is that the offense gave up too many 3 and outs, and coughed up its fair share of turnovers.
In short, hold on to the damn ball! Whichever team does this, wins in January.
by Jonny B. on Dec 31, 2008 1:25 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
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