The 2011 NFL regular season is now over and it is time to look at the week 17 TOX stat results and the final totals for the season for each team. In week 17 the plus 2 TOX number went 6-2 and year to date in head to head games the plus 2 teams went 137-31 and the final regular season winning percentage ends at 82%, 2% higher than the expected 80% number for season. The lone plus 2 losers in week 17 were the Cleveland Browns and the Detroit Lions. Teams with a mere positive TOX stat went 7-7 this week. Teams with a positive turnover differential went 10-3 overall this week and teams with a Read more [...]

The final Adjusted Net Yards Per Passing Attempt Differential Stats are now compiled for the 2011 NFL season and quite a reflective stat it has been this year. The top 10 teams in differential made the playoffs this year. The two stragglers are the Cincinnati Bengals, who finished 18th, and the Denver Broncos, who finished 28th. The top 4 offensive teams using the stat headed into the playoffs are the Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots and the New Orleans Saints. The top 3 defenses for the season are also headed to the playoffs and they are the Houston Texans, Pittsburgh Steelers and the Read more [...]

Week 16 is now in the books and all but three playoff spots remain up for grabs now. Here is our weekly look at the explosive plays and turnovers for the games this past week. The plus 2 number went 10-1 this past week and year to date in head to head games the plus 2 teams are now 131-29 and the winning percentage clicks up to 82%, 2% higher than the expected 80% number with 1 week remaining in the regular season. Teams with a mere positive TOX stat went 11-4 this week. Teams with a positive turnover differential went 9-4 overall this week and teams with a positive explosive play differential Read more [...]

The Pittsburgh Steelers week 17 game next Sunday against the Cleveland Browns in Cleveland has had a time change. The game has been moved from a 1:00 p.m. EST kickoff to 4:15 p.m. EST start time. To add to the drama, the Baltimore Ravens Sunday game in Cincinnati against the Cincinnati Bengals has also been flexed the same way as well and will now start at 4:15 p.m. EST. The NFL utilizes “flexible scheduling” on Sundays in Weeks 10-15 and 17 to ensure quality matchups in all NFL Sunday time slots. Also being flexed, the week 17 Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants game on Sunday, January 1 Read more [...]

The Pittsburgh Steelers head into their Monday night game against the San Francisco 49ers knowing that they now control their own destiny in regards to the number one seed in the AFC and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. The chance to control their own destiny comes after the Baltimore Ravens lost tonight 34-14 on the road to the San Diego Chargers, and that loss now drops them to 10-4 on the season. That loss combined with the Houston Texans loss earlier in the day against the Carolina Panthers now means that the Steelers could have a full game lead on both teams if they can take care Read more [...]

The Pittsburgh Steelers have clinched a spot in the 2011 NFL playoffs thanks to the Indianapolis Colts getting their first win of the season at home against the Tennessee Titans 27-13. The Steelers came into the week with multiple scenarios in place that would have allowed them to clinch a playoff spot. Those scenarios included either them winning Monday night against the San Francisco 49ers, or by the Titans, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders or New York Jets losing today, or a tie by either the Titans or Raiders. The Titans loss did the trick. The Steelers chances at getting the number 1 seed, Read more [...]

The Monday night game is now over and I have the TOX stats from week 13 below. The plus 2 number recovered from the hit it took last week as it went 11-1 this week with the Buffalo Bills being the lone team to lose. Year to date in head to head games the plus 2 teams are now 103-26 and gets the winning percentage back to the expected 80% number. Teams with a mere positive TOX stat went 12-3 this week. Teams with a positive turnover differential went an amazing 14-0 overall this week and teams with a positive explosive play differential went 11-3 this week. The Pittsburgh Steelers continue Read more [...]

Below is the defensive participation chart for the Steelers fourth and final preseason game Thursday night versus the Panthers. The final preseason game is usually used to look at the bottom end of the roster and this game was no different for the Steelers as they rested several veteran starters like Aaron Smith, James Harrison, James Farrior and Troy Polamalu. Injured cornerback Ike Taylor sat out again as did Bryant McFadden. Jason Worilds saw extensive work at both right and left outside linebacker spots as he logged a team high 59 plays on defense. Mortty Ivy saw 47 snaps and Ryan Munday played Read more [...]

Below are the offensive personnel packages, play counts and participation chart for the Steelers fourth and final preseason game Thursday night versus the Panthers. The fourth game is usually used to take a long look at the bottom end of the roster to gives players one last shot to make the roster. The starters only saw limited action and several veteran starters sat out all together. Nothing stuck out as far as the rotation went, but the most noticeable thing was the amount of plays that Emmanuel Sanders played. 26 plays is proof positive his feet have healed and he looked good while on the field. Read more [...]

Below are the individual coverage stats and totals from the Thursday night preseason game against the Carolina Panthers. The top table is by play and consist of which Panthers player was targeted with the pass, the yards gained on the play and the yards after the catch the receiver had on the play. Also included is the number of pass rushers the Steelers used on the play and if they blitzed or not on the play. I have included the down and distance as well as well as the direction of the pass. There were three plays not included as they were running back screens behind the line of scrimmage. Coverage Read more [...]

The Steelers beat the Carolina Panthers 33-17 in their final 2011 preseason game on the road in Charlotte. Charlie Batch got things started with a 10 play, 80 yard drive that used 5:06 of the clock. Batch was 4 of 5 on the drive that culminated with a 10-yard pass to Mike Wallace that he fumbled into the endzone from the 1-yard and it was recovered by tight end David Johnson for a touchdown. Running back Isaac Redman rushed for 29 yards on the drive. The Panthers answered with a 9 play, 71 yard drive of their own that was fueled by a 19 yard run by Panthers quarterback Cam Newton on a 3rd and Read more [...]

Mike Tomlin held his post-game press conference following the Steelers 33-17 win over the Carolina Panthers Thursday night on the road in Charlotte. Tomlin said in 47 seconds that he was impressed by the effort tonight and virtually came out of the game injury free. Tomlin said he exercised caution with all of the players that were nicked up with minor injuries as he wanted to take a look at unproven players tonight anyways. Tomlin said he acknowledges that they go to Baltimore next week. This was the shortest Steelers post game presser ever. Enjoy! Below is the audio of the press conference. [audio:http://www.steelersdepot.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/tomlin-panthers-post-game-press-conference.mp3] Read more [...]

Below are the players that will not dress for tonight's fourth and final preseason game as the Steelers take on the Carolina Panthers on the road in Charlotte. Head coach Mike Tomlin ruled out only Ike Taylor, Chris Carter and Jerricho Cotchery just a few days ago and a few more could sit out as well. Tomlin also said that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will not play. Keep checking back up until game-time as I will be updating this list if more names are announced as being inactive. Check back after the game for a full recap of the game and my post-game notes and observations along with the Tomlin Read more [...]

The Steelers close out their 2011 preseason tonight as they take on the Panthers on the road in Charlotte. The Steelers had another strong showing last week against the Falcons and tonight is the last chance for a few players to make a big enough impression to make the team or the practice squad. Do not look for many of the starters to play tonight as this game will be used to look at the bubble players mostly. There still will be a few things to watch for though in the most meaningless game of the preseason. As I do every week, here are my 7 things to watch for tonight against the Panthers. Bronco Read more [...]

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin held his pregame press conference today prior to the Thursday night game against the Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. Audio is below: [audio:http://www.steelersdepot.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/mike-tomlin-panthers-pre-game-press-conference.mp3] Tomlin opened by saying this is the last opportunity for a few players to make their case to make the 53 man roster. Ike Taylor, Chris Carter and Jerricho Cotchery will not play Thursday night and several players like James Farrior, Troy Polamalu, Casey Hampton, Bryant McFadden, Maurkice Pouncey Read more [...]