1 00:00:01,440 --> 00:00:05,320 Speaker 1: Your tunes about Drive Home of the Black and Goal 2 00:00:05,519 --> 00:00:19,600 Speaker 1: Steelers Nation Radio. Welcome back. I'm Dale Ali. He has 3 00:00:19,720 --> 00:00:23,040 Speaker 1: met Williamson and this is the Drive on Steelers Nation Radio. 4 00:00:23,120 --> 00:00:27,639 Speaker 1: And usually on Tuesday's Matt we go over the the 5 00:00:27,680 --> 00:00:31,720 Speaker 1: power rankings. Uh nobody did power rankings today because nobody 6 00:00:31,800 --> 00:00:34,479 Speaker 1: was sure what was going to go on. Where happened 7 00:00:34,520 --> 00:00:37,960 Speaker 1: with that game last night? Totally understandable, but there were 8 00:00:38,720 --> 00:00:40,800 Speaker 1: very few football articles on the sites I go to 9 00:00:40,920 --> 00:00:44,400 Speaker 1: every yeah, every day and check out, and yeah, I 10 00:00:44,479 --> 00:00:46,120 Speaker 1: had a hard time coming up with content for some 11 00:00:46,159 --> 00:00:48,560 Speaker 1: stuff too. And you know, it's just kind of a 12 00:00:48,640 --> 00:00:51,720 Speaker 1: day of reflection, you know. Yeah. Uh So instead of 13 00:00:51,760 --> 00:00:54,160 Speaker 1: doing power rankings, I thought we would take a look 14 00:00:54,280 --> 00:01:00,400 Speaker 1: at Football Outsiders overall rankings, like we're sixteen and Genna 15 00:01:00,440 --> 00:01:03,240 Speaker 1: this Usually this would be a full season's worth. Right 16 00:01:03,760 --> 00:01:06,160 Speaker 1: up until last year, this would have been a full 17 00:01:06,160 --> 00:01:11,160 Speaker 1: season stands now, Yeah, which is a pretty good look 18 00:01:11,200 --> 00:01:13,839 Speaker 1: at Yeah, Cincinnati and Buffalo are just a game short, 19 00:01:14,240 --> 00:01:16,840 Speaker 1: but that still doesn't mean your v A gets messed up. 20 00:01:17,360 --> 00:01:21,520 Speaker 1: Uh So their number thirty two team at minus thirty 21 00:01:21,560 --> 00:01:24,759 Speaker 1: two point three. And this isn't a power rank I'm 22 00:01:24,760 --> 00:01:26,759 Speaker 1: gonna put them there. I'm gonna put them right. This 23 00:01:26,840 --> 00:01:28,959 Speaker 1: is not this is not their opinion. This is how 24 00:01:29,000 --> 00:01:31,760 Speaker 1: they're their numbers, what they put into their computer, and 25 00:01:31,800 --> 00:01:36,119 Speaker 1: what the numbers spit out. The Indianapolis Colts, yeah, they're 26 00:01:36,120 --> 00:01:40,520 Speaker 1: aren't in a pretty quick They are five points worse 27 00:01:40,600 --> 00:01:43,280 Speaker 1: than the next closest team. And the owner came out 28 00:01:43,280 --> 00:01:46,039 Speaker 1: and said, we're strongly considering keeping Jeff Saturday on. I'm like, 29 00:01:46,880 --> 00:01:49,600 Speaker 1: what has he done to make this the slightest bit better? 30 00:01:50,000 --> 00:01:53,640 Speaker 1: He won his first game, Yeah, okay, the Graders great, 31 00:01:53,760 --> 00:01:56,800 Speaker 1: and it's been an embarrassment since. I think, I'll say this, 32 00:01:57,680 --> 00:02:00,960 Speaker 1: he didn't make this decision the go with Matt Ryan 33 00:02:01,400 --> 00:02:03,920 Speaker 1: at the beginning of the year. He did. He didn't 34 00:02:03,920 --> 00:02:06,720 Speaker 1: make it back. Yeah, he had that. That was he 35 00:02:06,760 --> 00:02:08,680 Speaker 1: looked around that and said our best chance to win 36 00:02:08,720 --> 00:02:10,560 Speaker 1: as Matt Ryan, which I agreed with at the time. 37 00:02:10,680 --> 00:02:12,760 Speaker 1: And now they're just shutting it down. And basically I 38 00:02:12,760 --> 00:02:14,600 Speaker 1: think they're in tank mode too. They have the fifth 39 00:02:14,600 --> 00:02:16,520 Speaker 1: pick overall, they'd probably like to get in the top 40 00:02:16,560 --> 00:02:19,040 Speaker 1: three or four to get and they lose the Houston 41 00:02:19,240 --> 00:02:21,239 Speaker 1: this week and that's there's a chance. I bet they're 42 00:02:21,240 --> 00:02:22,720 Speaker 1: a dog in that game. I haven't even looked at 43 00:02:22,760 --> 00:02:24,840 Speaker 1: the line they are. They should be. Houston should be 44 00:02:24,840 --> 00:02:26,600 Speaker 1: ahead of one. D v O R Power ranks to 45 00:02:26,840 --> 00:02:29,760 Speaker 1: Houston is ahead of them. Houston's next and minus twenty 46 00:02:29,800 --> 00:02:33,880 Speaker 1: nine or twenty seven point nine, so they're five points better. 47 00:02:33,960 --> 00:02:37,680 Speaker 1: So they're a distant thirty two distant thirty two, okay 48 00:02:38,720 --> 00:02:41,040 Speaker 1: at two thirteen and one, because Houston has been more 49 00:02:41,840 --> 00:02:44,520 Speaker 1: even better lately, that's for sure. I mean, this isn't 50 00:02:44,560 --> 00:02:46,440 Speaker 1: the same as like when we do power ranks of 51 00:02:46,520 --> 00:02:48,120 Speaker 1: how good are you playing right now? This is a 52 00:02:48,200 --> 00:02:52,000 Speaker 1: cumulative thing. But I think they do wait recent success 53 00:02:52,280 --> 00:02:54,880 Speaker 1: more than you know, like the Steelers a benefit from 54 00:02:55,040 --> 00:02:57,079 Speaker 1: their last eight games as opposed to first eight games. 55 00:02:57,280 --> 00:03:00,600 Speaker 1: Yeah and something, Well we're their formula words. Uh. Then 56 00:03:00,639 --> 00:03:06,280 Speaker 1: you have Chicago their minus point five. If Houston beats 57 00:03:06,360 --> 00:03:11,840 Speaker 1: Indianapolis this weekend, Chicago, Chicago would have the number one 58 00:03:12,160 --> 00:03:14,080 Speaker 1: in Chicago would have then the first pick in the 59 00:03:14,120 --> 00:03:18,400 Speaker 1: second round. Nobody thought when the Steelers made the trade 60 00:03:18,400 --> 00:03:23,240 Speaker 1: for the trade of Chase Claypool, green Bay and Chicago 61 00:03:23,280 --> 00:03:25,680 Speaker 1: were the two teams that were said to be in 62 00:03:25,720 --> 00:03:29,560 Speaker 1: the running for him. Difference the Steelers made have ticked 63 00:03:29,919 --> 00:03:32,960 Speaker 1: the decision to trade into Chicago because Chicago they felt 64 00:03:33,000 --> 00:03:35,520 Speaker 1: was going to have the better pick. Turns out, which 65 00:03:35,520 --> 00:03:37,360 Speaker 1: seemed like an easy decision at the time, but not 66 00:03:37,400 --> 00:03:40,680 Speaker 1: to this drastic I mean, not twenty spots better. I 67 00:03:40,680 --> 00:03:43,040 Speaker 1: mean Green Bay could easily make the playoffs and be 68 00:03:43,160 --> 00:03:45,760 Speaker 1: picking in the twenties, where this could be the thirty 69 00:03:45,800 --> 00:03:50,040 Speaker 1: second pick overall, which is usually a first rounder. Yeah, yeah, absolutely, 70 00:03:50,120 --> 00:03:52,680 Speaker 1: I mean that makes a huge difference. But it looks 71 00:03:52,720 --> 00:03:56,160 Speaker 1: pretty safe that at worst the Steelers are picking thirty three. Yeah, 72 00:03:56,400 --> 00:03:58,240 Speaker 1: so that's not so bad. I mean, the difference between 73 00:03:58,280 --> 00:04:00,560 Speaker 1: thirty two and thirty threes nice but not a big deal. 74 00:04:01,520 --> 00:04:04,320 Speaker 1: Uh yeah, they are minus twenty six point five, then 75 00:04:04,320 --> 00:04:07,240 Speaker 1: there's a little bit of a gap. Those are easily 76 00:04:07,280 --> 00:04:09,400 Speaker 1: the three worst teams. I was wondering where Denver is. 77 00:04:09,440 --> 00:04:11,680 Speaker 1: I thought they might be in that neighborhood. But I'm 78 00:04:11,680 --> 00:04:15,200 Speaker 1: sure their defense over their defense keeps them a little bit, yeah, 79 00:04:15,280 --> 00:04:18,160 Speaker 1: and keeps them afloat as much as it did. I mean, 80 00:04:18,200 --> 00:04:21,920 Speaker 1: they were losing, but they were losing seventeen thirteen. It 81 00:04:22,040 --> 00:04:24,440 Speaker 1: was like week twelve that people came out on Twitter. 82 00:04:24,520 --> 00:04:27,159 Speaker 1: It's like, if the Broncos could have scored eighteen points 83 00:04:27,160 --> 00:04:31,680 Speaker 1: in every game. That would be eleven and one. One 84 00:04:31,880 --> 00:04:35,640 Speaker 1: at twenty nine is Arizona at minus twenty one point four. 85 00:04:35,720 --> 00:04:39,800 Speaker 1: They're really bad to both sides of the ball. Yeah yeah, yeah, 86 00:04:40,920 --> 00:04:43,159 Speaker 1: quarterbacks left and right, like so many of these teams. 87 00:04:43,160 --> 00:04:47,000 Speaker 1: They just gave Cliff Kingsbury a contract extension. And who's 88 00:04:47,040 --> 00:04:50,280 Speaker 1: not in the building right now and right right? I 89 00:04:50,320 --> 00:04:52,440 Speaker 1: mean these three are tied together, but it might be 90 00:04:52,480 --> 00:04:55,680 Speaker 1: time to cut those ties. That's would be expensive, would 91 00:04:55,680 --> 00:04:58,920 Speaker 1: be expensive. Kyler is gonna be back? How about this one? 92 00:04:59,000 --> 00:05:06,479 Speaker 1: At at minus fourteen point two, this is a This 93 00:05:06,520 --> 00:05:11,520 Speaker 1: is a shocker. The Minnesota Vikings. I know the Vikings 94 00:05:11,560 --> 00:05:13,800 Speaker 1: are really really low, but I thought they were gonna 95 00:05:13,800 --> 00:05:17,839 Speaker 1: be like twenty there twelve and four and minus fourteen 96 00:05:17,960 --> 00:05:22,560 Speaker 1: point two in David point differential. I mean they get 97 00:05:22,560 --> 00:05:26,159 Speaker 1: blown out. And I know Football Outsiders has been getting 98 00:05:26,200 --> 00:05:29,520 Speaker 1: heat left and right from the Viking fans, but they 99 00:05:29,560 --> 00:05:32,400 Speaker 1: were twenty ish when they were a one lost team 100 00:05:33,120 --> 00:05:39,960 Speaker 1: on offense, defense and thirty one on special They don't 101 00:05:39,960 --> 00:05:43,400 Speaker 1: do anything well, wow, that's unbelievable. They're lucky as could be, 102 00:05:43,560 --> 00:05:46,200 Speaker 1: or their clutches can be. Howevery whatever you want to believe, 103 00:05:46,440 --> 00:05:49,520 Speaker 1: and they kept with getting blown out by the Packers 104 00:05:49,600 --> 00:05:53,680 Speaker 1: last week. They kept their record intact at eleven and 105 00:05:53,720 --> 00:05:57,800 Speaker 1: oh and one score games. When they lose, they get stomped, 106 00:05:57,920 --> 00:06:00,360 Speaker 1: they get stopped. I mean even the Colts game. I 107 00:06:00,400 --> 00:06:02,600 Speaker 1: mean they were losing thirty something and nothing at the 108 00:06:02,640 --> 00:06:07,360 Speaker 1: half and it came storming back and one one score game. Yeah, 109 00:06:07,440 --> 00:06:10,640 Speaker 1: one score games are unsustainable. And then trust me that 110 00:06:11,200 --> 00:06:13,720 Speaker 1: the analytics folks don't put a lot of faith in 111 00:06:13,720 --> 00:06:16,320 Speaker 1: your ability to win one score games at high percentage 112 00:06:16,360 --> 00:06:20,400 Speaker 1: of the time, you're not gonna. At twenty seven at 113 00:06:20,440 --> 00:06:24,000 Speaker 1: minus twelve point four, so almost two full percentage points 114 00:06:24,040 --> 00:06:28,840 Speaker 1: better than the Vikings are the Carolina Panthers. I mean, 115 00:06:28,880 --> 00:06:31,600 Speaker 1: i'd see why the Panthers are there. I mean, I 116 00:06:31,640 --> 00:06:33,760 Speaker 1: think Minnesota is a better team than probably some of 117 00:06:33,760 --> 00:06:37,000 Speaker 1: these teams were going to talk about. But they could 118 00:06:37,000 --> 00:06:40,880 Speaker 1: be a dog in around one of hosting a playoff game. Yeah, 119 00:06:40,960 --> 00:06:42,679 Speaker 1: and the South team probably will be in the NFC. 120 00:06:43,720 --> 00:06:46,680 Speaker 1: At twenty six at minus eleven point seven is Denver 121 00:06:47,839 --> 00:06:51,720 Speaker 1: andre is the defense like top five seven? Yeah, yeah, 122 00:06:51,760 --> 00:06:54,520 Speaker 1: well that weighs a little bit. The offense is twenty nine. 123 00:06:54,680 --> 00:07:01,680 Speaker 1: Special teams are special teams so bad. At five at 124 00:07:01,680 --> 00:07:07,920 Speaker 1: minus eleven point six, the Los Angeles Rams getting a 125 00:07:07,960 --> 00:07:10,600 Speaker 1: little better though, I mean at least they're showing some life. 126 00:07:11,200 --> 00:07:15,080 Speaker 1: But they're a really bad team in a really bad year. Yeah. Yeah, 127 00:07:15,160 --> 00:07:17,520 Speaker 1: I mean no Donald, no Stafford, no cop you know. 128 00:07:17,520 --> 00:07:22,720 Speaker 1: I mean. At twenty four at minus nine point one, 129 00:07:23,200 --> 00:07:28,920 Speaker 1: the Raiders, that's their neighborhood. Yeah, it really is. At 130 00:07:29,120 --> 00:07:34,720 Speaker 1: twenty three at minus eight point four, the seven and 131 00:07:34,840 --> 00:07:37,640 Speaker 1: nine Tennessee Titans. They have to be dropping like a 132 00:07:37,640 --> 00:07:42,280 Speaker 1: stone to that off where's the offense rank for the year. Yeah, 133 00:07:42,680 --> 00:07:45,160 Speaker 1: and I bet it was ten at one point well, yeah, 134 00:07:45,160 --> 00:07:49,600 Speaker 1: they were running effectively. And yeah, at twenty two at 135 00:07:49,600 --> 00:07:56,200 Speaker 1: minus seven point six, Washington also plummeting. That could be 136 00:07:56,240 --> 00:07:58,240 Speaker 1: an interesting team next year, though, if they could dig 137 00:07:58,320 --> 00:08:00,960 Speaker 1: up a Garoppolo or car something like that. It's gonna 138 00:08:00,960 --> 00:08:02,960 Speaker 1: be a lot of competition for those two guys, A 139 00:08:03,000 --> 00:08:05,400 Speaker 1: lot of competitions. Jets, Indie, I mean, on and on 140 00:08:05,400 --> 00:08:09,040 Speaker 1: and on. It's twenty one. Speaking of teams that have 141 00:08:09,080 --> 00:08:12,880 Speaker 1: played with the lucky charm this year, the the Giants 142 00:08:12,920 --> 00:08:16,680 Speaker 1: at minus five points. No, they them in Minnesota have 143 00:08:16,760 --> 00:08:21,360 Speaker 1: gotten some bounces. Twelve on offense twenty ninth, on defense 144 00:08:21,400 --> 00:08:27,040 Speaker 1: twenty two, and special teams defense bad at twenty minus 145 00:08:27,040 --> 00:08:31,320 Speaker 1: four point seven are the Atlanta Falcons. The Giants might 146 00:08:31,360 --> 00:08:34,560 Speaker 1: be the worst playoff team, Like I know the Vikings 147 00:08:34,559 --> 00:08:36,240 Speaker 1: are the worst one on d v o A, but 148 00:08:36,800 --> 00:08:38,640 Speaker 1: I'll take the Vikes over the Giants. Didn't they just 149 00:08:38,679 --> 00:08:41,720 Speaker 1: play a couple of weeks ago on the Vikings beat them? Yes, yeah, 150 00:08:42,080 --> 00:08:46,120 Speaker 1: one score game, the one score game Bowl. Yeah, Atlanta 151 00:08:46,120 --> 00:08:48,840 Speaker 1: at minus four point seven. Then you've got at nineteen 152 00:08:50,000 --> 00:08:54,160 Speaker 1: at minus two point one, the Saints. This was a 153 00:08:54,160 --> 00:08:58,160 Speaker 1: good game for them, but not a good year for them. 154 00:08:58,280 --> 00:09:02,400 Speaker 1: At eighteen minus point seven, so almost league average. He's 155 00:09:02,440 --> 00:09:06,000 Speaker 1: next two teams are as close to league average as 156 00:09:06,000 --> 00:09:10,040 Speaker 1: you can get, basically the Los Angeles Chargers. That's rough 157 00:09:10,080 --> 00:09:12,599 Speaker 1: on the Chargers, but they had some down times. I 158 00:09:12,600 --> 00:09:16,640 Speaker 1: think they're playing really well now they're getting healthy here, 159 00:09:16,760 --> 00:09:19,040 Speaker 1: I think they're getting scarier. I guess a better way 160 00:09:19,240 --> 00:09:21,720 Speaker 1: I would have the Patriots as a league average team. 161 00:09:22,080 --> 00:09:25,160 Speaker 1: They're way too high on here. From the defense, they 162 00:09:25,240 --> 00:09:29,199 Speaker 1: scored seven special defense and special teams. I bet they're 163 00:09:29,200 --> 00:09:31,560 Speaker 1: special teams are top five and their defensive top five. 164 00:09:31,880 --> 00:09:35,320 Speaker 1: It's seventeen at point to we're finally into the teams 165 00:09:35,320 --> 00:09:38,480 Speaker 1: and on on the positive side of this, And this 166 00:09:38,520 --> 00:09:40,720 Speaker 1: team was a top ten team for much of the season. 167 00:09:41,600 --> 00:09:45,720 Speaker 1: Tampa Bay. They were way high on Tampa Bay most 168 00:09:45,720 --> 00:09:49,440 Speaker 1: of the season. And they they did have them sleep 169 00:09:49,480 --> 00:09:51,959 Speaker 1: and when they were ugly, Yeah I didn't that didn't 170 00:09:52,040 --> 00:09:55,000 Speaker 1: quite pass a sniff test. Then I can buy them 171 00:09:55,040 --> 00:09:58,640 Speaker 1: being league average. Now. Their thirty second overall in special 172 00:09:58,679 --> 00:10:01,840 Speaker 1: teams this year. I knew that's and they're like the 173 00:10:01,840 --> 00:10:05,600 Speaker 1: worst running team in the league. Other than that, they're great. 174 00:10:04,720 --> 00:10:07,640 Speaker 1: I don't year old quarterback. I don't think they're the worst. 175 00:10:07,640 --> 00:10:10,320 Speaker 1: They're the worst team in the playoffs. You think, I 176 00:10:10,360 --> 00:10:12,800 Speaker 1: think so? Yeah, I mean you can make that argument 177 00:10:13,280 --> 00:10:16,280 Speaker 1: if if somehow Tennessee gets in, they could make that argument. 178 00:10:16,559 --> 00:10:18,520 Speaker 1: They could make that they could have a fight for that. 179 00:10:19,760 --> 00:10:25,400 Speaker 1: At sixteen at point three, the Steelers, Okay, I mean 180 00:10:25,400 --> 00:10:27,760 Speaker 1: I knew at one point they were twenty nine. Now 181 00:10:27,800 --> 00:10:30,120 Speaker 1: if you look at that and since the buy a week, 182 00:10:30,600 --> 00:10:34,080 Speaker 1: the Steelers are like eight. Oh. I know it's really 183 00:10:34,120 --> 00:10:36,680 Speaker 1: good because I was doing EPA stuff today and I 184 00:10:36,679 --> 00:10:39,680 Speaker 1: think the Steelers were ninth. Since the buye I think 185 00:10:39,679 --> 00:10:43,479 Speaker 1: it's the third best defense. I mean, it's impressive stuff. Yeah. 186 00:10:44,160 --> 00:10:52,000 Speaker 1: At fifteen at point five, are the Jets falling fast? Yeah, 187 00:10:54,200 --> 00:10:55,840 Speaker 1: I don't think that's where they're at as a team 188 00:10:55,960 --> 00:11:00,640 Speaker 1: right now, but falling fast at fourteen at one point 189 00:11:00,720 --> 00:11:06,600 Speaker 1: eight there were sixteen the Jaguars. I think that's fair. 190 00:11:08,240 --> 00:11:12,280 Speaker 1: But a decent year. I think that's fair. I'm just curious. 191 00:11:12,360 --> 00:11:16,600 Speaker 1: The Jags defense is seven holding back, but I didn't 192 00:11:16,600 --> 00:11:22,000 Speaker 1: know would be that low. Att At two point oh 193 00:11:22,400 --> 00:11:27,600 Speaker 1: are the Patriots? Somehow the offense is twenty six. There's 194 00:11:27,600 --> 00:11:29,720 Speaker 1: some bad ones. Don't know how the offense is twenty 195 00:11:29,720 --> 00:11:32,000 Speaker 1: sad of the Colts that should be ahead of a 196 00:11:32,080 --> 00:11:39,319 Speaker 1: few teams, not many, not many. Number three special teams 197 00:11:39,320 --> 00:11:43,760 Speaker 1: to special special teams? Is actually the kicker miss kicks 198 00:11:43,760 --> 00:11:45,920 Speaker 1: this yere or they allowed return? If you watch the 199 00:11:45,920 --> 00:11:50,000 Speaker 1: game the other day, there punter, it is not that gay, No, 200 00:11:50,120 --> 00:11:55,520 Speaker 1: he's not good. At twelve at four point eight is 201 00:11:55,600 --> 00:11:59,160 Speaker 1: Green Bay. I'm okay with that. I mean, the defense 202 00:11:59,200 --> 00:12:02,000 Speaker 1: came to life. If I trust it, they got back 203 00:12:02,080 --> 00:12:06,160 Speaker 1: tri back. Rogers might not still be Rogers, but I 204 00:12:06,240 --> 00:12:08,440 Speaker 1: want the Packers to get in the in the in 205 00:12:08,480 --> 00:12:11,520 Speaker 1: the dance because I think there a legitimate playoff team 206 00:12:11,520 --> 00:12:14,000 Speaker 1: that could win a game. There are a lot better 207 00:12:15,040 --> 00:12:17,640 Speaker 1: at eleven, and they've been high on these guys all 208 00:12:17,679 --> 00:12:20,240 Speaker 1: season long, way higher than they probably should have been. 209 00:12:21,720 --> 00:12:24,959 Speaker 1: Cleveland at five point nine, Oh, I'm surprised that they 210 00:12:25,280 --> 00:12:29,880 Speaker 1: didn't come up long ago. They're rough. Yeah, I'll be honest. 211 00:12:29,920 --> 00:12:33,200 Speaker 1: I mean, doing a lot of Cleveland research, they're very 212 00:12:33,320 --> 00:12:36,640 Speaker 1: even Stephen in a lot of categories, Like you look 213 00:12:36,679 --> 00:12:39,559 Speaker 1: at penalties, you look at turnovers, you look at rushing 214 00:12:39,640 --> 00:12:43,160 Speaker 1: yards gained, rushing yards allowed, they're all like equal. But 215 00:12:43,880 --> 00:12:46,040 Speaker 1: I don't think they were real good. No, what do 216 00:12:46,120 --> 00:12:49,079 Speaker 1: they do well? Right? They don't have immense strengths or 217 00:12:49,120 --> 00:12:52,320 Speaker 1: immense weaknesses. Their best strength as they've run the ball 218 00:12:52,360 --> 00:12:56,360 Speaker 1: well but not recently, and their biggest weaknesses a run defense, 219 00:12:56,400 --> 00:12:59,679 Speaker 1: which is still bad. Yeah, the special teams, I've been 220 00:12:59,679 --> 00:13:03,640 Speaker 1: meant to always look at the upcoming upon I think 221 00:13:03,640 --> 00:13:06,960 Speaker 1: the Steelers are like mid to late twenties on special team. Yeah, 222 00:13:06,960 --> 00:13:10,760 Speaker 1: and that's I mean, that's the misfield goals. Yeah. People 223 00:13:10,880 --> 00:13:14,719 Speaker 1: I saw people blaming Danny Smith. Oh that's easy, It's ridiculous. 224 00:13:15,400 --> 00:13:18,360 Speaker 1: I've heard people even worse. To me, is blame Tomlin. 225 00:13:18,880 --> 00:13:21,440 Speaker 1: I get this a lot. Well, Tomlin's ignored special teams 226 00:13:21,440 --> 00:13:23,520 Speaker 1: since he's been here. He doesn't think it's important. I'm like, 227 00:13:24,160 --> 00:13:28,280 Speaker 1: they keep four or five guys every roster. Construction says differently. 228 00:13:29,480 --> 00:13:32,280 Speaker 1: They're not even Benny Snell because he's a dynamic runner, 229 00:13:32,400 --> 00:13:36,320 Speaker 1: or Killer Brew because he's a great safety, or Marcus Allen. 230 00:13:36,520 --> 00:13:39,920 Speaker 1: You know, these guys aren't prospects. They're special teams players 231 00:13:40,200 --> 00:13:43,480 Speaker 1: and what right, so because he's a hammer lead fullback. 232 00:13:43,559 --> 00:13:45,560 Speaker 1: I mean they have like five dudes whose whose whole 233 00:13:45,679 --> 00:13:49,600 Speaker 1: job is special teams and they're paying their kickers. Some 234 00:13:49,600 --> 00:13:55,720 Speaker 1: people don't pay kickers at ten at six point eight Seattle, 235 00:13:56,240 --> 00:14:00,679 Speaker 1: mm hmm, there's about five teams you've lately. I think 236 00:14:00,679 --> 00:14:03,800 Speaker 1: the Steelers are better than including Seattle. But it's been 237 00:14:03,840 --> 00:14:05,840 Speaker 1: a decent year for them. Where is there? Is their 238 00:14:05,840 --> 00:14:11,000 Speaker 1: defense really low? It seems like you should be going backwards. Yeah, 239 00:14:11,200 --> 00:14:13,800 Speaker 1: if you just look at estimated wins here, which is 240 00:14:13,840 --> 00:14:19,600 Speaker 1: a big obviously indicator at nine point one, really the 241 00:14:19,640 --> 00:14:23,000 Speaker 1: Steelers are now dead even basically they have eight wins. 242 00:14:23,000 --> 00:14:24,760 Speaker 1: They have they should have eight point one A quarter 243 00:14:24,840 --> 00:14:27,160 Speaker 1: makes sense. I bet they were low to start the 244 00:14:27,200 --> 00:14:29,480 Speaker 1: year because they get a couple of bounces against them. Yeah, 245 00:14:29,640 --> 00:14:34,760 Speaker 1: real quick, which Minnesota's estimated wins estimated wins five point eight? 246 00:14:35,760 --> 00:14:37,720 Speaker 1: They got twelve wins. So I mean what they're telling 247 00:14:37,760 --> 00:14:40,040 Speaker 1: you is football side has been doing this basically since 248 00:14:40,040 --> 00:14:43,120 Speaker 1: I've done this for a living, if longer, that if 249 00:14:43,120 --> 00:14:45,800 Speaker 1: you play out the season a million times and the 250 00:14:45,880 --> 00:14:49,360 Speaker 1: Vikings play exactly has how they have, they will win 251 00:14:49,400 --> 00:14:52,040 Speaker 1: five point six games. What they're saying is that O'Connell 252 00:14:52,080 --> 00:14:54,400 Speaker 1: should be the coach of the year. Maybe right right, 253 00:14:54,480 --> 00:14:59,720 Speaker 1: right right? Six wins over over expectations. That's pretty good. 254 00:14:59,760 --> 00:15:03,520 Speaker 1: That's are you good? That's better that I'm just looking 255 00:15:03,560 --> 00:15:06,040 Speaker 1: here with the Giants. What the Giants? The Giants are 256 00:15:06,040 --> 00:15:08,600 Speaker 1: supposed to should have six point six wins. They've got nine, 257 00:15:09,600 --> 00:15:17,080 Speaker 1: so yeah, that's yeah. Um, Detroit is nine at seven 258 00:15:17,080 --> 00:15:21,920 Speaker 1: point two. Where's their d their defense is? Yeah? I 259 00:15:22,000 --> 00:15:23,520 Speaker 1: knew it would be low, but there was a stretch 260 00:15:23,560 --> 00:15:27,480 Speaker 1: there was getting better. Miami offens top two or three, 261 00:15:27,520 --> 00:15:31,600 Speaker 1: though the offense is six six. Miami is now at 262 00:15:31,640 --> 00:15:34,360 Speaker 1: eight at seven point eight. You don't think of Miami 263 00:15:34,400 --> 00:15:38,960 Speaker 1: and Detroit as being on the same level offensively. They're 264 00:15:39,000 --> 00:15:42,640 Speaker 1: five and six. Defensively, I'm not sure who the better 265 00:15:42,680 --> 00:15:45,800 Speaker 1: team seventeen and eight and the Lions on special team 266 00:15:45,920 --> 00:15:49,360 Speaker 1: are eight the Dolphins. I mean, on a neutral site 267 00:15:49,360 --> 00:15:52,600 Speaker 1: without two, I would pick the Lions, but somehow the 268 00:15:52,800 --> 00:15:56,000 Speaker 1: if you look at the dollars, uh, the Detroit's win 269 00:15:56,120 --> 00:15:59,120 Speaker 1: total should be nine and Miami's is eight point seven, 270 00:16:00,160 --> 00:16:05,400 Speaker 1: so they're similar. Interesting, Yeah, it's seven. Are the Bengals 271 00:16:05,400 --> 00:16:08,360 Speaker 1: at sixteen point six on the Bengals which means the 272 00:16:08,480 --> 00:16:12,080 Speaker 1: Ravens or ahead of them, But okay, where they are 273 00:16:12,080 --> 00:16:15,120 Speaker 1: across the board, I bet they're all the fourth on offense, 274 00:16:15,240 --> 00:16:18,040 Speaker 1: twelve on defense, twenty one on special team. Special teams 275 00:16:18,040 --> 00:16:22,040 Speaker 1: are an issue. Baltimore is six at eighteen point oh 276 00:16:22,680 --> 00:16:26,840 Speaker 1: tenth on offense, eight on defense, second and special teams. 277 00:16:27,120 --> 00:16:28,920 Speaker 1: I bet if you just did their offense from the 278 00:16:29,000 --> 00:16:34,960 Speaker 1: last months, awful. They don't run. If they don't run 279 00:16:35,000 --> 00:16:37,120 Speaker 1: the ball, they can't throw it. They're they're een like 280 00:16:37,120 --> 00:16:40,400 Speaker 1: a hundred nineteen passing yards of game with their offense. 281 00:16:40,440 --> 00:16:42,840 Speaker 1: Had to go backwards this week heavily. Yeah, at least 282 00:16:42,880 --> 00:16:45,160 Speaker 1: they had some good running games in there. Kansas City 283 00:16:45,240 --> 00:16:50,440 Speaker 1: is fifth at six, the number one on offense. Yes, Uh, 284 00:16:50,880 --> 00:16:56,960 Speaker 1: Dallas is fourth at two point one. Okay, San Francisco 285 00:16:57,200 --> 00:17:04,200 Speaker 1: is third at point is their defense one defense is one? Yes? Uh. 286 00:17:04,320 --> 00:17:09,400 Speaker 1: Philadelphia is number two at point one in Buffaloes number 287 00:17:09,440 --> 00:17:12,600 Speaker 1: one at thirty two point four. So there's there's a gap. 288 00:17:12,600 --> 00:17:15,720 Speaker 1: They're a huge gap there. Wow. I don't look at 289 00:17:15,760 --> 00:17:17,600 Speaker 1: the Bills as clearly the best team. I mean, I 290 00:17:17,640 --> 00:17:20,080 Speaker 1: could make an argument that they're number one. They're two 291 00:17:20,080 --> 00:17:24,040 Speaker 1: on offense, four on defense, six on special teams. Yeah. 292 00:17:24,600 --> 00:17:27,120 Speaker 1: I guess the well rounded nous probably is the best 293 00:17:27,160 --> 00:17:29,119 Speaker 1: in the league in terms of no one else. I 294 00:17:29,160 --> 00:17:31,480 Speaker 1: bets in the top six and three categories where the 295 00:17:31,520 --> 00:17:33,400 Speaker 1: Eagles because I know their defense has to be hot. 296 00:17:33,400 --> 00:17:36,440 Speaker 1: Eagles are fifth or I'm sorry, third on offense, fifth 297 00:17:36,520 --> 00:17:39,920 Speaker 1: on defense, on special teams or any of those top 298 00:17:40,560 --> 00:17:45,640 Speaker 1: eight teams. The contenders really bad on teams, Uh, case 299 00:17:45,880 --> 00:17:48,920 Speaker 1: is four. Yeah, that adds up. But I think they 300 00:17:48,920 --> 00:17:51,800 Speaker 1: were really low and have gotten better. Yeah, they've missed 301 00:17:51,840 --> 00:17:55,200 Speaker 1: some kicks this year too. Uh. You got the Dolphins 302 00:17:55,200 --> 00:17:59,320 Speaker 1: att The Bengals are twenty one. Special teams have been 303 00:17:59,400 --> 00:18:02,800 Speaker 1: hit or missed with Taylor Cincinnati yea New England at 304 00:18:02,840 --> 00:18:06,560 Speaker 1: twenty seven. Yeah, it's one you can always pencil in 305 00:18:06,640 --> 00:18:08,960 Speaker 1: as the top five. So it's interesting there. If you 306 00:18:09,040 --> 00:18:13,840 Speaker 1: just look at estimated wins, Uh, Buffalo should have thirteen 307 00:18:13,880 --> 00:18:17,760 Speaker 1: point four. Philadelphia they think they should have won the 308 00:18:17,760 --> 00:18:22,840 Speaker 1: Miami game and they ran a hundred plays, and Philadelphia 309 00:18:22,880 --> 00:18:25,040 Speaker 1: is at eleven point nine, so one point one and 310 00:18:25,080 --> 00:18:27,480 Speaker 1: a half more wins for the Bills. I guess it 311 00:18:27,480 --> 00:18:29,040 Speaker 1: slipped my mind that the Eagles have lost two in 312 00:18:29,040 --> 00:18:31,040 Speaker 1: a row. Yeah, I mean maybe they were one or 313 00:18:31,080 --> 00:18:34,960 Speaker 1: the gap was different. Yeah, Dallas is at eleven point three, 314 00:18:35,000 --> 00:18:39,160 Speaker 1: San Francisco eleven point two, k C eleven, Cincinnati ten 315 00:18:39,200 --> 00:18:43,600 Speaker 1: point eight, Baltimore ten point seven. Uh, Cleveland at nine 316 00:18:43,640 --> 00:18:46,639 Speaker 1: point one. They like Cleveland. I don't want that. That's 317 00:18:46,840 --> 00:18:50,399 Speaker 1: there's a big gap there between those top teams. Stop 318 00:18:50,440 --> 00:18:54,399 Speaker 1: seven teams. Then you got Detroit at nine, Seattle at 319 00:18:54,440 --> 00:18:57,880 Speaker 1: eight point eight, Miami at eight point seven, New England 320 00:18:57,880 --> 00:19:01,000 Speaker 1: at eight point seven, Pittsburgh at eight point one. So 321 00:19:01,080 --> 00:19:05,400 Speaker 1: what number were they? Like? Fourteen issues and estimated wins? Yeah, 322 00:19:05,600 --> 00:19:07,760 Speaker 1: I get that, I get that. I mean there's a 323 00:19:07,760 --> 00:19:09,479 Speaker 1: couple of bounces that didn't go their way early on 324 00:19:09,600 --> 00:19:12,359 Speaker 1: or whatever. The really interesting thing here is if you 325 00:19:12,400 --> 00:19:14,720 Speaker 1: look at the line stats. I mentioned this yesterday. I 326 00:19:15,080 --> 00:19:17,880 Speaker 1: wrote an article about it today. The offensive line stats, 327 00:19:19,000 --> 00:19:21,720 Speaker 1: the Steelers are not off the tenth an offensive line 328 00:19:21,720 --> 00:19:25,159 Speaker 1: play is that run metric that's overall, that's run blocking 329 00:19:25,160 --> 00:19:30,359 Speaker 1: and pass protection from mined. They are number one in 330 00:19:30,760 --> 00:19:34,840 Speaker 1: power short yardage and there was another stat that was 331 00:19:35,000 --> 00:19:39,080 Speaker 1: number six and stuffed and stuff. They don't get tackled 332 00:19:39,080 --> 00:19:42,000 Speaker 1: behind the line of scrimage. Stuff is the is is 333 00:19:42,200 --> 00:19:47,800 Speaker 1: described as any negative or zero yard right, and they're 334 00:19:48,040 --> 00:19:49,840 Speaker 1: they's been really good and that's really good about that. 335 00:19:50,320 --> 00:19:53,320 Speaker 1: And the short yard of stuff is big pick. It helps, 336 00:19:53,400 --> 00:19:57,000 Speaker 1: but it's kind of there. It's a line stat. Yeah, 337 00:19:57,000 --> 00:20:00,320 Speaker 1: I mean they're getting you know, even if you look 338 00:20:00,359 --> 00:20:05,359 Speaker 1: at the you know the rankings, uh sacks. Yeah, I 339 00:20:05,400 --> 00:20:08,399 Speaker 1: mean with the rookie quarterback, that's that's significant. Yeah. The 340 00:20:08,760 --> 00:20:12,480 Speaker 1: article I wrote today was is the Steelers run games sustainable? 341 00:20:12,720 --> 00:20:16,280 Speaker 1: And not can they run on the Browns or if 342 00:20:16,280 --> 00:20:17,600 Speaker 1: they get in the playoffs, can they run in the 343 00:20:17,640 --> 00:20:20,680 Speaker 1: first round? But can this be a foundation for next 344 00:20:20,760 --> 00:20:24,119 Speaker 1: year and or years to come? And I bet the 345 00:20:24,160 --> 00:20:27,280 Speaker 1: listeners from the comments are gonna be Wow. I didn't 346 00:20:27,280 --> 00:20:28,800 Speaker 1: think the line was as good as it was, you know, 347 00:20:28,960 --> 00:20:31,679 Speaker 1: Like I mean, I described it as a mediocre or 348 00:20:31,720 --> 00:20:34,320 Speaker 1: above average line and I used these stats to back 349 00:20:34,359 --> 00:20:35,920 Speaker 1: it up. But I still don't think it's a top 350 00:20:36,280 --> 00:20:39,320 Speaker 1: eight group, you know, despite these numbers. So I think 351 00:20:39,359 --> 00:20:41,919 Speaker 1: it's very sustainable. Was the crux of the article is 352 00:20:42,080 --> 00:20:43,560 Speaker 1: this can be a run game that you can count 353 00:20:43,600 --> 00:20:45,439 Speaker 1: on for quite some time. If you look at the 354 00:20:45,480 --> 00:20:49,280 Speaker 1: adjusted line yards, this is what the there per play. 355 00:20:49,400 --> 00:20:51,000 Speaker 1: This is what they feel like the lines should get 356 00:20:51,040 --> 00:20:54,119 Speaker 1: you every play. Vegas is number one at five point two. 357 00:20:54,440 --> 00:20:57,240 Speaker 1: They get the leading rusher in the league. Yeah. Green 358 00:20:57,280 --> 00:21:00,199 Speaker 1: Bay second at four point nine. This just run. This 359 00:21:00,280 --> 00:21:05,160 Speaker 1: is adjusted line yards. Yeah yeah. Casey is third at 360 00:21:05,160 --> 00:21:08,359 Speaker 1: eight four point eight. San Francisco fourth at four point 361 00:21:08,400 --> 00:21:11,920 Speaker 1: seven three, Atlanta four point seven, to Detroit at four 362 00:21:11,920 --> 00:21:15,840 Speaker 1: point six six, Philadelphia four point six three, Carolina four 363 00:21:16,000 --> 00:21:19,720 Speaker 1: five nine, Miami four five five, And then you get 364 00:21:19,760 --> 00:21:21,800 Speaker 1: the Steelers at four five two, a head of Chicago, 365 00:21:22,160 --> 00:21:26,080 Speaker 1: head in New Orleans, headed Dallas, Cincinnati. Something like Chicago 366 00:21:26,160 --> 00:21:29,240 Speaker 1: has a huge benefit of fields busted eighty yarders. Yeah, 367 00:21:29,240 --> 00:21:31,600 Speaker 1: I mean he's averaging like nine yards of carry. Steelers 368 00:21:31,640 --> 00:21:34,200 Speaker 1: don't have the explosive back that you know would skew 369 00:21:34,280 --> 00:21:37,359 Speaker 1: that in their favor. But the majority of those lines 370 00:21:37,400 --> 00:21:40,879 Speaker 1: you mentioned pre Steelers, top eight or whatever, have a 371 00:21:41,000 --> 00:21:43,440 Speaker 1: lot of money invested in their own line to I 372 00:21:43,480 --> 00:21:47,600 Speaker 1: mean Kansas City, Philly first kind of put a ton 373 00:21:47,640 --> 00:21:50,840 Speaker 1: in and if you include draft capital, the Dolphins went 374 00:21:50,880 --> 00:21:53,480 Speaker 1: on got two expensive starters this offseason, you know, like 375 00:21:54,000 --> 00:21:56,080 Speaker 1: I know that the Steelers have invested a little, but 376 00:21:56,160 --> 00:21:58,119 Speaker 1: not like those teams. You know, in turn, none of 377 00:21:58,119 --> 00:22:00,399 Speaker 1: those guys are first round picks or making you know, 378 00:22:00,480 --> 00:22:04,160 Speaker 1: top of month, top of the money type of contracts either. Yeah. 379 00:22:04,200 --> 00:22:10,560 Speaker 1: You look at that success rate on power runs. Wow. Stuff. 380 00:22:10,680 --> 00:22:14,160 Speaker 1: The next the next closest teams Chicago, Chicago and Dallas 381 00:22:14,200 --> 00:22:17,360 Speaker 1: are at seventy. That's a big gap. That's a four 382 00:22:17,400 --> 00:22:19,640 Speaker 1: point and there's not a four point gap there anywhere 383 00:22:19,640 --> 00:22:21,680 Speaker 1: else on the on here until you get to the 384 00:22:21,720 --> 00:22:27,440 Speaker 1: bottom three and seventy nine. Number two is a sevent 385 00:22:28,400 --> 00:22:33,400 Speaker 1: to Yeah, okay, so who's it's seventy seventy five? Is Philadelphia? 386 00:22:33,560 --> 00:22:37,680 Speaker 1: What number of day they are seventh? So the gap 387 00:22:37,720 --> 00:22:41,360 Speaker 1: from one to two, the gap from one to two 388 00:22:41,640 --> 00:22:44,119 Speaker 1: is the same as the gap from two to eight. Yeah, 389 00:22:44,320 --> 00:22:47,240 Speaker 1: that's how big. The Steelers are really good at that. Yeah, 390 00:22:47,280 --> 00:22:51,919 Speaker 1: it's huge, really good at that. Um. And you know, again, 391 00:22:51,960 --> 00:22:53,720 Speaker 1: I I don't know that you need to you're not 392 00:22:53,800 --> 00:22:57,600 Speaker 1: blowing this lineup. I've said this a million times lately, 393 00:22:57,720 --> 00:22:59,800 Speaker 1: and I didn't say at the begin the year. I 394 00:23:00,000 --> 00:23:01,680 Speaker 1: would love to add and I said in the article, 395 00:23:01,680 --> 00:23:03,000 Speaker 1: I'd love to get a center, and I'd love to 396 00:23:03,000 --> 00:23:06,840 Speaker 1: get a left tackle. But as much for depth is 397 00:23:07,359 --> 00:23:09,200 Speaker 1: they don't need to come in and play right away. No. 398 00:23:09,320 --> 00:23:11,520 Speaker 1: I mean they could be projects, or they could be 399 00:23:12,160 --> 00:23:15,480 Speaker 1: you know, high upside guys and they could replace Cole 400 00:23:15,720 --> 00:23:18,920 Speaker 1: or more great. They could be third and fourth round 401 00:23:18,920 --> 00:23:21,520 Speaker 1: picks that you exactly know exactly. It's not a must. 402 00:23:21,720 --> 00:23:23,679 Speaker 1: I mean, yeah, I want new bodies. I'm not saying that, 403 00:23:23,840 --> 00:23:26,480 Speaker 1: nor the line. You'll be fine because they're not gonna 404 00:23:26,520 --> 00:23:34,359 Speaker 1: go you know, eighteen games without any injuries there again. Yeah. Um. 405 00:23:34,440 --> 00:23:36,800 Speaker 1: You can subscribe to the Mike Tomlin Game Day podcast, 406 00:23:36,840 --> 00:23:40,600 Speaker 1: Steelers Digest editor Bob Labriola talks with head coach Mike 407 00:23:40,640 --> 00:23:43,919 Speaker 1: Tomlin about the upcoming game. New episodes drop every game day. 408 00:23:43,960 --> 00:23:46,600 Speaker 1: They're available on the Steelers mobile app, the I Heart 409 00:23:46,680 --> 00:23:50,199 Speaker 1: radio app, and wherever you get your podcasts. He is 410 00:23:50,240 --> 00:23:52,800 Speaker 1: Matt Williamson. I am Dale Lally. You're listening to the 411 00:23:52,880 --> 00:23:55,359 Speaker 1: Drive here on Steelers Nation Radio. We'll be back to 412 00:23:55,359 --> 00:23:57,199 Speaker 1: finish up the show right after this