Pittsburgh Steelers Wild Card Week Preview

Introduction

The Pittsburgh Steelers have officially made their way into the Wild Card round of the 2023 NFL playoffs after a hard-fought victory over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18. With a score of 17-10, the Steelers showcased their grit and determination, but as we dive into the stats, we see that there’s a lot of room for improvement. As we gear up for the Wild Card matchup, let’s take a closer look at how our performance stacks up against the league and what we can expect moving forward.

Power Ranking

Currently, the Steelers sit at a power ranking of 25, which is not exactly the kind of number that gets fans jumping out of their seats. With a win rate against a median opponent of just 38.0%, it’s clear that we’ve had our struggles this season. However, the playoffs are a different beast altogether. The power rankings may not be in our favor, but history has shown that anything can happen in the postseason, and we’re ready to prove the doubters wrong.

Overall Drive Efficiency

In terms of overall drive efficiency, we find ourselves languishing at 30th in the league. This statistic reflects our ability to sustain drives and convert opportunities into points. While we managed to secure the win against the Ravens, our offensive drive efficiency ranked 29th, which means we’re not exactly lighting up the scoreboard. We need to find a way to convert those crucial third downs and keep the chains moving if we want to make a deep playoff run.

Defensive Drive Efficiency

On the defensive side of the ball, we’ve fared a bit better, ranking 16th in defensive drive efficiency. This means that while we’re not the best at stopping opposing offenses, we’re certainly not the worst. Our ability to limit the Ravens to just 224 yards in Week 18 is a testament to our defensive resilience. As we prepare for the Wild Card matchup, we’ll need to build on this foundation and tighten up our coverage to stifle our next opponent’s offensive efforts.

Offensive Drive Efficiency

As mentioned earlier, our offensive drive efficiency is a glaring concern. Ranked 29th in the league, we’ve struggled to maintain momentum on drives. In the game against the Ravens, we gained 289 yards but still managed to turn the ball over twice. This inconsistency is a recipe for disaster in the playoffs. We need to find a rhythm, establish a run game, and make smart decisions with the football to ensure we’re putting points on the board rather than giving them away.

Defensive Turnover Efficiency

On a brighter note, our defensive turnover efficiency ranks 13th in the league. This means we have a decent chance of generating turnovers, which can be a game-changer in tight playoff matchups. The Ravens’ two turnovers in Week 18 were crucial to our victory, and we’ll need to replicate that success against our next opponent. Creating turnovers not only gives our offense more opportunities but also shifts momentum in our favor.

Offensive Turnover Efficiency

Unfortunately, our offensive turnover efficiency isn’t as rosy, sitting at 15th in the league. While we’re not the worst offenders, turning the ball over twice against the Ravens is a reminder that we need to tighten our grip on the football. In the playoffs, every possession counts, and we can’t afford to give our opponents free chances to score. Protecting the ball will be paramount if we want to advance beyond the Wild Card round.

Drive Time

Our drive time ranks 27th in the league, indicating that we’re taking longer than average to move the ball down the field. While some may argue that taking time off the clock can be beneficial, it’s clear that we need to strike a balance between efficiency and time management. We need to find ways to speed up our drives, especially in the playoffs, where quick scoring can be the difference between winning and going home.

Preview For Next Week

Looking ahead to our Wild Card matchup, we’ll be facing the Buffalo Bills, who come in as 10-point favorites. The Bills have a potent offense, and their ability to score quickly could test our defensive mettle. According to advancedfootballstats.com simulations, they have a 58.55% chance of winning, but we have a 69.35% chance of covering the spread. This suggests that while we may be the underdogs, we can keep the game competitive. The over/under is set at 35.5 points, and with both teams capable of explosive plays, it wouldn’t be surprising to see that number exceeded. We’ll need to harness our defensive strengths while finding ways to exploit the Bills’ weaknesses if we want to pull off the upset.

Conclusion

As we prepare for the Wild Card round, the Steelers have a mountain to climb, but we’ve never shied away from a challenge. Our stats may not paint the rosiest picture, but the playoffs are a new season filled with possibilities. With a bit of luck, some strategic adjustments, and a healthy dose of determination, we can make our mark in the postseason. Let’s go out there and show everyone what Steelers football is all about!

Stay tuned to advancedfootballstats.com for more data-driven insights and analysis as we continue to follow the Pittsburgh Steelers' journey throughout the 2023 NFL season.