By Matt Papiernik, @Matt_Papiernik on Twitter
SteelerNation.com
It is no secret that the Pittsburgh Steelers offense was the downfall of the team last season. Anytime you lose a Hall of Fame quarterback for the season, it is rarely going to end well, especially in some key situations.
In 2018 the Steelers led the league in red zone efficiency at a clip of 73.5%, which was the best mark in the NFL since 2004. For those who don't know, that is the percent of drives that resulted in touchdowns when the Steelers entered the red zone.
In 2019 however, the Steelers red zone offense did a complete 180. They went from first in the league to last in the league, as their red zone efficiency fell down to 35%, an absolutely atrocious number for a team with playoff aspirations.
Steelers head coach, Mike Tomlin mentioned that key situations similar to this one above are where the Steelers need to focus on as those situations on offense (and on defense), either lead to points, or with the ball back in your offense's hands.
"A good day for us working some situational ball, short-yardage and goal line. Significant areas of play, areas of play we need to focus on and work to be dominant in those. When you win those situations on offense, you get new sets of downs or you're ringing up the scoreboard by seven. On defense when you win those downs, you get off the field, and that is where good defenses spend a good deal of time (off the field). It was good to sharpen the iron on the iron on those areas of emphasis today."
Tomlin mentioned a couple key situations in addition to the red zone where significant attention to detail is needed. They worked on these in practice on Monday, and as long as they can improve in these areas on offense to return to their 2018 success, both the offense and defense should be able to carry the team any given week if the other unit struggles.
Let us know below what you think of Tomlin's comments in regards to situational football, and if you as well think the Steelers are in a good position to dominate these situations in 2020!
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