23 hours Ago
TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox. When it comes to what Mike Tomlin likes to call the weighty moments, especially when the offense has a third-and-1 or fourth-and-1, the Pittsburgh Steelers have been coming up short. After struggling in short-yardage situations, the Steelers acknowledge it's an area of emphasis for improvement.
"We've been focusing a lot on that," Steelers running back Jaylen Warren said. "We have a plan for that, and we're excited to get to work." The Steelers lead the NFL in third downs, averaging 14.
3, but rank 15th in conversion rate (38.9%). That number has dipped by more than a percentage point over the last three games, mostly because the Steelers sandwiched a 4-for-16 performance (25%) against the Baltimore Ravens between going 7 for 16 in games at the Washington Commanders and Cleveland Browns.
The Steelers have converted 57.9% (11 of 19) on third-and-1 and 57.1% (8 of 14) on third-and-2 this season.
On fourth downs, the Steelers are converting at a 50% clip that is tied for 21st in the league. By comparison, the Ravens are sixth in fourth-down conversion rate at 70% whereas the Browns and Cincinnati Bengals are tied for 10th at a 64.3%.
The Steelers have converted six of 10 fourth-and-1 chances and are one of two on fourth-and-2. Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith said penalties have been a problem as well as failure of execution at the line of scrimmage even when they have a blocker for every defender. "We've got to be better there.
That's the reality on the ground. We've got to have better answers," Smith..
. Kevin Gorman.
