Last year, we talked about the Pittsburgh Steelers’ play-action struggles. Especially under Justin Fields, who struggled to sell it. Aaron Rodgers has one of the NFL’s all-time great fakes, and yet the Steelers’ play-action has been weak. It’s not fooling anyone.
And it’s one reason why Pittsburgh’s passing game is struggling to create big plays. Play-action is a great way to generate them, especially for offenses like Pittsburgh that isn’t naturally teeming with talent like the Cincinnati Bengals. Get the defense to bite, step up, and throw behind.
That’s not happening.
Per info provided by our Clayton Eckert, the Steelers have just a 5.3 Adjusted Net Yards Per Passing Attempt (ANY/A) when using play-action. That’s tied for 28th in the NFL. The only teams worse? The Las Vegas Raiders, Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets and San Francisco 49ers.
Play-action is doing Pittsburgh more harm than good. Last week against Chicago, Mason Rudolph was sacked and fumbled attempting it. A critical turnover in Bears’ territory that likely cost the Steelers three points in a three-point loss.
It’s one reason why the middle of the field hasn’t been used, a common and fair complaint about the offense. Chicago’s backups might’ve been backups, but if they’re covering the space that’s supposed to be vacant by play-action, the quarterback isn’t going to throw it. It’s supposed to be open.
Look at these two plays. A boot and drop-back. Nothing is opened downfield. The defense doesn’t respect the threat and gains depth. Mason Rudolph has nothing here except a missed checkdown on the second clip, which isn’t what these plays are drawn up to gain.
This has been a theme of the season. Play-action has simply been ineffective and hurting the Steelers more than helping.
It’s hard to know why. Pittsburgh is running the ball well. Increasingly so throughout the season. But what matters most, even for teams who don’t “set up” play-action with the run game, is selling the fake. The Steelers aren’t doing that well enough. That could fall on multiple units. The offensive line, the quarterback, the running back and even the offensive coordinator, depending on when he calls it (if tendencies are high to certain situations, defenses will be more prepared).
No matter the reason, it’s a core problem to Pittsburgh’s passing attack. One in need of a boost. Even one or two more successful play-action passes can change the game. Unlock tight ends down the field who have been otherwise bottled up to underneath receptions. For the receivers to gain a step and win downfield. A chance to chart a new path on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills, a stingy pass defense, in the hopes of getting a lot more.
