Bruce Arians' formula for success as offensive coordinator with Cleveland and the Steelers has been simple: Excel at situational football.
Arians believes that putting up points in the red zone, scoring touchdowns around the goal line and being efficient on short-yardage plays makes his team tough to beat.
"Situational football," he said, "is the major focus of everything we do. You have to be good at it in this league."
It all hinges on third down, though.
"Converting on third down is just as big a play as throwing the ball deep and scoring 60-yard touchdowns," receiver Hines Ward said.
No team over the final seven games last year did a better job of converting than the Steelers, who were successful about 53 percent of the time. For the season, the Steelers ranked sixth-best at 43 percent -- up nearly 4 percent from the previous year.
It doesn't come without an investment. The Steelers devote practice time daily to third-down situations.
"When you invest time, you want to see the results in that investment," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said.
"Our mentality on third down is always execution," tight end Heath Miller said. "If you win those situations, you are going to likely win the ball games."
That was proved last year.
When the Steelers won the third-down conversion battle, they were 10-2. When the opposition converted better on third downs, the Steelers were 4-4.
Read more: Third down is first priority for Steeler offense - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pitt...#ixzz1X4g8cAoJ
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Originally Posted by ALLD
