Steelers' Russell Wilson Hopeful About Improvement Of Third Down Issues

The Pittsburgh Steelers are focusing on their Week 13 game against the Cincinnati Bengals, hopefully working on fixing some issues from the past two games. Pittsburgh's defense has continued to play efficient and although they let up a late touchdown against the Cleveland Browns in Week 12, they've been pretty consistent throughout the rest of the season. The Steelers' defense ranks fourth in the NFL in average points allowed per game with 16.9. However, on the other side of the ball, the offense has stalled out a little. Every game won't come easy, but it was concerning to see the Steelers' offense not score a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 11. It's somewhat positive that the Steelers have a strong defense and special teams to find a way to win, but the offense will need to fix some woes if Steeler Nation wants to see a strong playoff run.

A notable problem the Steelers had in Weeks 11 and 12 were third or fourth and short situations that failed. One of the biggest eye catchers was the Steelers' 1/3 fourth down efficiency against the Browns in Week 12. Meanwhile, the Browns converted all four of their fourth down attempts. Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith brought in Justin Fields on some of these short down plays and fans saw more of a Fields package in the offense. Fields' only big impact in the game was a 30-yard run on 2nd and 6 midway through the fourth quarter against the Browns. 

Russell Wilson did pass for 270 yards against the Browns, but he also got sacked four times and fumbled the ball. There are multiple factors as to why the Steelers aren't able to convert such short yards. Wilson was asked by a reporter about this problem in his media availability on Wednesday ahead of Week 13 and Wilson said it's a team effort to work on it.

“I think at the end of the day, we got to find a way to convert it," Wilson said. "Maybe it’s break a tackle, maybe it’s just find a way to find a way. I think that’s what it is. Especially on third and one, fourth and one, it’s all of us together and we know that we’re capable of that. I think it’s so tough to look at one week or two weeks, this or that, and judge everything based off of that. I think we just got to look for the next moment.”

The Steelers' third down conversion rate in their last three games is 37.5% and on the season have a 38.9%. Pittsburgh's offense statistically has a shot to fix this problem against the Bengals in Week 13 as the Bengals' third down defense isn't the best. Cincinnati's defense has allowed 44.4% of third downs attempted. 

A big question facing Smith and Head Coach Mike Tomlin is if Fields can still be used effectively in short down situations. In his first attempt in Week 12 against the Browns, Fields got stuffed on a 4th and 2 play. Although the Bengals' defense isn't at the top of the NFL, the Steelers will need to find a way to get the offense going again as they still have to play the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs, both who rank in the top five of total yards allowed throughout the season.

Steelers' Offense Also Struggling In The Red Zone

Yet another offensive struggle the Steelers need to overcome is the lack of touchdowns and success in the red zone. Chris Boswell is 2-0 when being the only point scorer, but that can't always win games. The Steelers went one for two in the red zone against the Browns in Week 12, which dropped them to 30th in the league in red zone conversions at 44.7%. 

The offense is clearly better from last season. There's more big chunk plays to get the ball moving, but there needs to be a solution when the Steelers stall out inside their opponent's 20-yard line. Fields could be more effective in the red zone as his QBR in that area is 92.2 and 50% of his red zone drives ended in touchdowns. Compared to Wilson, 40% of his red zone drives turned into touchdowns.

Do you think the Steelers' offensive struggles will continue or be fixed in the next few weeks? Let us know in the comments below!

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