It feels like our defense has always given up a lot of YPG, playing bend don’t break. Usually we’re saved with turnovers and stops in FG range, but it’s not happening as much this year.

I didn’t realize how many yards we’re actually giving up this year until I saw this pic. Almost 400 yards a game, every single game except against the Browns.

13 comments

  1. I feel like this is a common theme for a while now, although having a sieve for run defense is a recent development. Yes they focus on turnovers and trying to hold to field goals. But it clearly doesn’t work against elite QB’s which is why we get our doors blown off vs elite teams.

  2. The Jets, yes the Jets, had a balanced offense. Seattle had a balanced offense. Balanced meaning they could run and pass. The Patriots game was an anomaly, won by TO’s. The Vikings o-line was dealing with injuries, and the defense took advantage of that until the end of the game.

    If the opposing offense has the ability to run or pass, even a skilled defense is going to give up yards. That’s today’s NFL. The rules favor the offense, especially in the passing game. When you watch other teams play it’s the same thing. The offense typically stops itself with a missed open throw, penalties, or a TO

  4. Our secondary is a nursing home, Highsmith and Watt have been nonexistent on the edges, nobody is plugging the middle consistently enough, and our HC is supposed to be defensive minded.. strange he is a former DB coach and that seems to be our worst area of defense.

  7. Our defense has been built around TO and sacks for awhile. This doesn’t bother me as it’s just Tomlin style of defense. Unfortunately it heavily relies on individual skill each game.

    So far the individual skill hasn’t been meshing it is what it is. Hopefully they come together in the second half of the season

  9. I’m so spoiled by those 00’s defenses. They’d have maybe one of those games a year like this. Totally pathetic considering the talent on this defense.

  10. It looks like this could be informed by us being dead last in the league in plays allowed per game, too.

  11. The good ol bend but don’t break Steelers defense that absolutely crumbles against an above average QB.

  12. Here’s how we’ve ranked in Defense YPG in the Tomlin era:

    * 2007-2012: top 6 every single year
    * 2013-2016: 12th or worse every single year
    * 2017-2020: top 6 every single year
    * 2021-2025: 12th or worse every single year

  13. Look at points allowed though. Austin said he doesn’t care about yards per game. He focuses on preventing points. 

    Were like 19th in points allowed (and historically under Austin are top 10 in points allowed). 

    Focusing on what the defense isn’t designed to do isn’t going to show you much. 

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