On Monday night the Pittsburgh Steelers took their first loss of the season, 23-17 to the Washington Football Team. Ben Roethlisberger went 33-for-53 for 305 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Pittsburgh scored just three points in the second half.
The Steelers dropped seven passes in the game. That led to head coach Mike Tomlin threatening lineup changes if the drops continue. Due to drops or other factors, Roethlisberger has averaged less than 6.0 yards per attempt in three straight games (five of the last seven). For some context, only Sam Darnold has averaged less than six yards per attempt on the season among quarterbacks that qualify.
Roethlisberger acknowledged his need to be better after the loss to Washington.
“I just need to give them more catchable balls, put them in position to catch balls where they’re not gonna get hit,” Roethlisberger said. “I’m not gonna worry too much about pulling them aside and having heart-to-heart, like ‘You need to catch the ball.’ I need to give them balls that are more catchable and I need to be my best so they can be at their best. When they’re at their best, we’re pretty good.”
Ben Roethlisberger Has Been A Problem
According to Next Gen Stats, 36 percent of Roethlisberger’s passes have been to the short area of the field between the numbers. Not surprisingly, since defenders are in the box and it’s a congested area, the league average drop rate is highest there (5.7 percent). Roethlisberger has had 8.6 percent of his passes dropped this season, the highest rate in the league.
Roethlisberger’s best two games this season came back-to-back-Week 9 against the Dallas Cowboys (306 yards, 3 TD) and Week 10 against the Cincinnati Bengals (333 yards, 4 TD). Those are the league’s 24th and 26th-ranked defenses in the league based on total yardage allowed. The Bengals are 25th in the league against the pass.
Through Week 11, the Steelers had the third-highest neutral passing rate in the league.
Roethlisberger has 104 attempts over the last two games, with final margins of five and six points. So it’s no surprise the Steelers have the league’s highest neutral pass rate over the last month. It’s by a good margin too, at 68 percent ahead of a three-way tie for second at 61 percent.
As a nod there being no real threat to worry about downfield, due to Roethlisberger’s unwillingness or inability to cut it loose, the Steelers’ run game has struggled. Against Washington they only ran the ball 14 times for 21 yards. That dropped them to the league’s 29th-ranked rush offense (92.6 yards per game). The return of James Conner from the COVID-19 list will be helpful, but it’s not as if he’s been that good this season (4.4 yards per carry; one touchdown in his last five games).
An elbow injury cost Roethlisberger most of the 2019 season, and he popped up on the injury report with a knee issue ahead of the game against Washington.
The Bottom Line
A better commitment to the running game and more production on the ground would be helpful. As would the Steelers pass catchers not dropping passes in bunches. But Roethlisberger has to be better, and that’s the lead storyline for the last undefeated team in the league this season from here on out.
