Admitting the problem is half the battle. For the Pittsburgh Steelers, solving it is the other.<\/p>\n
Thursday, defensive coordinator Teryl Austin acknowledged<\/a> the fact opposing offenses are getting the ball out quick.\u00a0Really quick.\u00a0Here\u2019s the snap-to-throw time (STT) and difference from seasonal average in each game this season. Numbers courtesy of PFF.<\/p>\n QB Justin Fields Sam Darnold Drake Maye Carson Wentz Dillon Gabriel Joe Flacco Jordan Love Daniel Jones Justin Herbert Joe Flacco Caleb Williams Of the 11 quarterbacks (in counting Flacco twice), eight times did he throw quicker than his seasonal average. Carson Wentz tied his while only Justin Fields in Week 1 and Flacco in Week 11 had longer snap-to-throw times.<\/p>\n The pattern is clear. Opposing passing games are countering Pittsburgh\u2019s pass rush, the biggest threat on the entire team, by getting the ball out fast.<\/p>\n Austin diagnosed the issue. He did not and seemingly could not offer a solution.\u00a0Normally, the Steelers\u2019 mantra to counter this is by stopping the run. A tried-and-true value of this defense since the Steel Curtain. Earn the right to rush the passer. Stop the run, create third-and-long, and pin your ears back.<\/p>\n But that\u2019s not working. Pittsburgh\u2019s run defense has been spotty throughout the season. Worse yet, even when it\u2019s been good, the plan hasn\u2019t worked. The Steelers shut down Green Bay Packers RB Josh Jacobs and held the offense to just 3.6 YPC. Last week, the Chicago Bears\u2019 prolific running game, one that just posted 281 on the ground<\/a> Friday against Philadelphia, was held to 99. Starting running back D\u2019Andre Swift had just 15 yards on eight tries.<\/p>\n And yet, their quarterbacks carved the Steelers up. Love threw for 360 yards and three scores. Williams tossed three himself. All while getting the ball out lightning fast.<\/p>\n That\u2019s disrupted the entire structure of Pittsburgh\u2019s defense. Its teeth and biggest impact, the EDGE rushers, muted. Through 11 games, T.J. Watt only has seven sacks. He\u2019s on pace to finish with 10.5, the lowest mark in a non-injury season since his rookie year.<\/p>\n How can Pittsburgh combat it? It\u2019s not easy. Modern NFL offenses are using the quick game, RPOs, screens, and horizontal throws as run game substitutes.<\/p>\n That leaves Pittsburgh with a couple ideas.<\/p>\n
\nSteelers STT
\nSeason STT<\/p>\n
\n3.38
\n3.09<\/p>\n
\n2.59
\n2.68<\/p>\n
\n2.86
\n3.07<\/p>\n
\n2.66
\n2.66<\/p>\n
\n2.51
\n2.74<\/p>\n
\n2.27
\n2.52<\/p>\n
\n2.49
\n2.81<\/p>\n
\n2.71
\n2.77<\/p>\n
\n2.33
\n2.84<\/p>\n
\n2.67
\n2.52<\/p>\n
\n2.66
\n3.24<\/p>\n