We’ve done a comprehensive review of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defensive struggles on first down way back in January. We’ll flip the script today and examine the team’s offense and its remarkable recent improvements.
First down effectiveness is being judged on two levels. Yards per play and first down percentage. We’ll compare the Steelers’ yearly average, dating back to 2007, with the league average in an attempt to account for any potential general upward trend in the NFL. Coming into the study, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the numbers increase as offenses have become more high-powered.