I received an email asking about how the Steelers performed against 4-3 defenses last year and I thought I would pop up some quick stats on it. In the 1st table, I listed the 8 games in which the Steelers faced a true 4-3 defense or in the case of the 1st game against the Ravens, a predominate 4-3 look through most of the game. The 2nd table are the stats against 3-4 defenses.
Firstly, the 6-2 record against 3-4 defenses jumps out versus the 3-5 record versus 4-3 teams. Next, the Steelers rushed for almost 25 yards more a game and passed for almost 85 yards more a game on average against 3-4 teams in 2009. In addition, they averaged 8 more offensive points a game against 3-4 defensive fronts. Judging by these surface numbers, you can see why they are giving the offense 4-3 defensive looks in practice already in camp. The Steelers get to face 3 such 4-3 fronts in preseason and that will help give the coaching staff more tape on individual performances heading into the season as well. Just some stats to chew on headed into the 2010 preseason.
2009 Stats Versus 4-3 Defenses
| Week | Team | Rush | Pass | Sacks/Yds | Off Pts | W/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Titans | 36 | 363 | 4 – 42 | 13 | W |
| 2 | Bears | 105 | 221 | 2 – 18 | 14 | L |
| 3 | Bengals | 102 | 276 | 1 – 5 | 20 | L |
| 5 | Lions | 82 | 277 | 3 – 15 | 28 | W |
| 7 | Vikings | 107 | 175 | 4 – 23 | 13 | W |
| 10 | Bengals | 80 | 174 | 4 – 28 | 12 | L |
| 12 | Ravens | 153 | 145 | 0 – 0 | 17 | L |
| 13 | Raiders | 132 | 278 | 1 – 9 | 24 | L |
| * | Totals | 797 | 1909 | 19 – 140 | 141 | 3-5 |
| * | Avg | 99.6 | 238.6 | 2.4 – 17.5 | 17.6 | * |
2009 Stats Versus 3-4 Defenses
| Week | Team | Rush | Pass | Sacks/Yds | Off Pts | W/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Chargers | 177 | 339 | 3 – 19 | 38 | W |
| 6 | Browns | 140 | 417 | 3 – 14 | 27 | W |
| 9 | Broncos | 173 | 233 | 3 – 31 | 21 | W |
| 11 | Chiefs | 114 | 415 | 2 – 13 | 24 | L |
| 14 | Browns | 77 | 201 | 8 – 60 | 6 | L |
| 15 | Packers | 65 | 503 | 5 – 31 | 37 | W |
| 16 | Ravens | 48 | 259 | 4 – 21 | 23 | W |
| 17 | Dolphins | 202 | 220 | 3 – 19 | 30 | W |
| * | Totals | 996 | 2587 | 31 – 208 | 206 | 6-2 |
| * | Avg | 124.5 | 323.4 | 3.9 – 26 | 25.8 | * |
