Last Four Games: Steelers Fourth Quarter Defense Almost Untouchable

[Craic]

So - just how much is the defense improving this year? The biggest problem with our defense is the fourth quarter - and has been since 2008, so let's use that as a metric and take a look at the difference between the first five games and the last four on defense in the fourth quarter:

(tl;dr version in chart) In the first five games the Steelers defense had to take the field an average of 2.4 times (not including taking the field for the kneel down in Denver). In those 2.4 drives per game, the Steelers defense allowed an average of 20.4 plays, 6.4 first downs, 8 points, and 120 yards per fourth quarter. In the last four games the Steelers defense had to take the field an average of 3.5 times (not including taking the field for the kneel down in Cincy). In those 3.5 drives per game, the Steelers defense allowed an average of 16 plays, 2.5 first downs, .75 points, and 38 yards per fourth quarter.

That means that even though the last four teams has had (on average) one extra drive against our defense, our defense has allowed 4.4 less plays, 6 less first downs, 7 less points, and 82 less yards per fourth quarter.

An even more important stat: in the first five games, there's been 2 drives for the win, and only two 3-and-outs of the total 12 fourth quarter drives. In the last four games, there's been 0 drives for the win (one for a tie), and eight 3-and-outs in the last 14 fourth quarter drives.

I know there's a bunch of numbers here, so let me simplify and then conclude below:




AVERAGE PER FOURTH QUARTER
FIRST FIVE GAMES
LAST FOUR GAMES
PERCENTAGE
DIFFERENCE IN LAST FOUR GAMES


Ave. Number of drives
2.4
3.5
46% more drives in fourth quarter


# of plays
20.4
16
22% better


First downs
6.4
2.5
61% better


Points
8
.75
91% better


Yards
120
38
68% better


Drive to win/tie allowed
2
1
50% better


Three and outs
2
8
400% better



I've included the raw numbers below:

[*=1]Denver
Drive 1: 10 plays, 5 first downs, 7 points (80 yards).
Drive 2: 12 plays, 4 first downs (1 by penalty), 3 points (51 yards)
Drive 3: Kneeldown.
Total 4th quarter possession: 22 plays, 9 first downs, 10 points (131 yards).
[*=1]Jets
Drive 1: 3 plays, 1 first down (by penalty), 0 points (22 yards).
Drive 2: 3 plays, 0 first downs, 0 points (0 yards).
Drive 3: 6 plays, 3 first downs (2 by penalty, one declined), 0 points (49 yards).
Total 4th quarter possession: 12 plays, 4 first downs (two by penalty), 0 points, (71 yards).
[*=1]Raiders
Drive 1: (continued from third quarter) 11 plays, 2 first downs (one by penalty), 7 points (80 yards).
Drive 2: 9 plays, 2 first downs (one by penalty), 3 points (50 yards).
Drive 3: 9 plays, 2 first downs, 3 points-FTW (49 yards).
Total 4th quarter possession: 29 plays, 6 first downs (2 by penalty), 13 points (179 yards).
[*=1]Eagles
Drive 1: 17 plays, 5 first downs, 7 points (79 yards).
Total 4th quarter possession: 17 plays, 5 first downs, 7 points (79 yards).
[*=1]Titans
Drive 1: (continued from third quarter) 6 plays, 2 first downs, 0 points, INTERCEPTION (27 yards).
Drive 2: 11 plays, 4 first downs (one by penalty), 7 points (80 yards).
Drive 3: 5 plays, 1 first down 33 yards, 3 points-FTW (33 yards).
Total 4th quarter possession, 22 plays, 8 first downs, 10 points, 140 yards.





[*=1]Bengals
Drive 1: 5 plays, 1 first down, no points (15 yards).
Drive 2: 3 plays, 0 first downs, no points (7 yards).
Drive 3: 3 Plays, 0 first downs, no points (0 yards).
Total 4th quarter possession: 11 plays, 1 first down, no points (22 yards).
[*=1]Redskins
Drive 1: (continued from third quarter) 9 plays, 2 first downs 3 points (15 yards).
Drive 2: 12 plays, 5 first downs (one by penalty) 0 points (60 yards).
Drive 3: 1 play, kneel down.
Total 4th quarter possession: 22 plays, 6 first downs (plus one for a penalty), three points from a drive starting in the third quarter (75 yards).
[*=1]Giants
Drive 1: 3 plays, 0 first downs, 0 points (-12 yards).
Drive 2: 3 plays, 0 first downs, 0 points (3 yards).
Drive 3: 3 plays, 0 first downs, 0 points (0 yards).
Total 4th quarter possession: 9 plays, 0 first downs, 0 points (-9 yards).
[*=1]Chiefs
Drive 1: 3 plays, 0 first downs, 0 points (-1 yard).
Drive 2: 3 plays, 0 first downs, 0 points (9 yards).
Drive 3: 3 plays, 0 first downs, 0 points (4 yards).
Drive 4: 9 plays, 3 first downs, 3 points (52 yards).
Drive 5 (OT): 1 play, 0 first downs, 0 points, INTERCEPTION (4 yards).
Total 4th quarter (+OT) possession: 19 plays, 3 first downs, 3 points (64 yards).



CONCLUSION - our defense is most definitely trending upward in the most important aspect of the game, fourth quarter stops. I could care less about turnover numbers, sacks, etc. from this defense. As long as they put up these kind of stats in the fourth quarter, there's no reason why we can't win every game Ben is playing in.

[polamalubeast]

The defense will of course be crucial in the coming games

Against the pass, the defense is incredible in the last 4 games....against the run, the defense must improve

In 2010, the Steelers had a 3-1 start because of the defense....I reminds me of the game against the Titans, where the Steelers had only had 21 yards passing, but they won because they create 7 turnovers

I would like the defense began to create turnovers, since the offense is likely to be bad in the coming games without Roethlisberger(and Antonio Brown)

[Count Steeler]

Nice work Preach. This is one case where the numbers match the performance. While we haven't delivered any shut outs, Foote wasn't far off that the D was going to rebound after that fiasco of a start. (Foote was quoted that the D would put up 5 shut outs this season)

[zulater]

All very interesting and they are absolutley playing better late in games. But they got lucky against the Chiefs with that 3rd quarter touchdown that was called back on a very suspect holding call. If the touchdown had stayed on the board we probably lose that game an no one is trumpeting the defense's late game heroics.

One play can change everything.

[Count Steeler]

All very interesting and they are absolutley playing better late in games. But they got lucky against the Chiefs with that 3rd quarter touchdown that was called back on a very suspect holding call. If the touchdown had stayed on the board we probably lose that game an no one is trumpeting the defense's late game heroics.

One play can change everything.

Yes it can. Hindsight is not 20-20, for we do not know all the other possible outcomes. It may have been the week that we finally get a pick 6 and we would be lauding the defense once again that it had found it's turnover magic.

What did happen was a very stellar performance, for the 4th week in a row, by our defense. And Timmons almost had the pick 6.

[HollywoodSteel]

CONCLUSION - our defense is most definitely trending upward in the most important aspect of the game, fourth quarter stops. I could care less about turnover numbers, sacks, etc. from this defense. As long as they put up these kind of stats in the fourth quarter, there's no reason why we can't win every game Ben is playing in.

Those last 4 words are kind of important. :cry02:

[Psycho Ward 86]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VWDekbIaJE

[Steeldude]

It would be nice if the defense and offense were clicking in the same game. It seems to be one or the other

[Craic]

It would be nice if the defense and offense were clicking in the same game. It seems to be one or the other

I know. That's always how it seems to be with this team.

[86WARD]

It would be nice if the defense and offense were clicking in the same game. It seems to be one or the other

It'd be nice not to have to worry about it in the 4th quarter...

[Craic]

It'd be nice not to have to worry about it in the 4th quarter...

Well, when Ben was in, we didn't, as he was posting numerous fourth quarter drives over the last few weeks as well.