Low-flying offense produces wins; that’s what counts
and his potent passing game to help carry them through it. No more.
The Steelers defense ranks No. 2 in yards allowed in the NFL at 258.7 and No. 1 in passing yards at 147.0. They are third in the league in scoring, yielding just 16.6 points per game.
That has allowed them to play more conservatively on offense and virtually scrap that 30-point a game goal.
“I don’t think I ever stated that was my goal,” offensive coordinator Todd Haley said, “and, when that was talked about, I think it was a few years ago. Every year, it’s something different. No. 1, it’s win games. And, as your entire team changes, I think you’re smart as offensive coaches to adjust what you do also.
“We got a great running back, a great line. It leaves a lot less risk out there. I’ll take that any time.”
The shock of their loss against Jacksonville — in whichRoethlisberger threw 55 times with two returned for Jaguars touchdowns, and Le’Veon Bell had only 15 carries for 47 yards — might have turned the philosophical tide for the Steelers. Since then, Roethlisberger has thrown just 49 times combined in the past two games, and Bell has 67 carries for 313 yards as the Steelers won both.
“I can’t say that [is our identity] but I can’t say I’m not pleased with how we played,” Haley said of the past two games against Kansas City and Cincinnati.
“We’re winning games, I’m excited how our defense is playing, and that affects some of the decisions we make.”
That, obviously, has led to a run-heavy philosophy.
“It is good to run the ball when you’re successful at it,” center Maurkice Pouncey said. “It eats up the clock, you get the defense some breaks on the sideline and come back and make plays.”
The Steelers offense ranks outside the top 10 in many areas — No. 11 in total yards at 359.7 per game, No. 16 rushing at 113.7 and No. 10 at 21 points per game.
Back when they needed more production, they scored more. They hit 30 points or more seven times in 2014 and seven more times in 2015. They scored that many in three of their first five games last season, then did it just once more as they probably realized they had the kind of defense that could hold down offenses.
“Our defense is playing good football,’’ Haley said. “That can affect the way we do things and the decisions we make. This is a new year, new team, a bunch of new guys.”
And a new philosophy that seems a lot like an old one.