Film studies of Pittsburgh's dominant Offensive Line in the Running Game + How does NE match up?

[Soul_Survivor88]

Pittsburgh's offensive line hasn't received a whole lot of attention. For much of the 2016 season, Pittsburgh had arguably the 2nd best offensive line in the NFL. And it is easily the best unit left in the playoff tournament.

As part of the larger question of "How do the Patriots stop Le'Veon Bell," Geoff Schwartz of SB Nation and Jared Dubin of CBS Sports takes a look into what makes Pittsburgh so effective in the running game, and how New England can address it.Both writers analyze film and explain why Pittsburgh has had so much success running the ball, and why Le'Veon Bell is such a dangerous weapon.

To read their findings in full and watch film clips, click on the links below

Steelers-Patriots key matchup: How do you solve a problem like Le'Veon Bell?

How do the Patriots stop Le'Veon Bell?

A few takeaways

• Pittsburgh yielded only 21 sacks this season while posting a 4.1 percent Adjusted Sack Rate, per Football Outsiders, the fourth-best figure in the NFL. They even better as a run-blocking unit: they ranked fifth in Pro Football Focus' run-blocking grades and second in Football Outsiders' Adjusted Line Yards, which assigns credit to the offensive line based on a percentage of yards gained per carry.

• In power situations (third or fourth down, two or fewer yards to go, or any goal-to-go situation inside the two-yard line), the Steelers converted for a first down or touchdown 71 percent of the time, seventh in the NFL. Their rush attempts were stuffed behind the line of scrimmage only 15 percent of the time, fourth-best in the NFL.

• While the Cowboys offensive line is the most complete and the Packers have the best pair of pass blocking tackles, the Steelers offensive line is the best at double teams. It has big physical guards in Ramon Foster on the left and David DeCastro on the right. Their blocking style is a perfect fit for an explosive running back. It's their presence and their push that allows Bell to weaponize his unique running style.

• Defenders are barely able to get their hands on Bell before he gains a couple yards, and even once they do, it's incredibly difficult to bring him down before he gains even more. The line's blocking combined with Bell's backfield dancing led to his averaging 1.8 yards before contact per carry this season, per Pro Football Focus, the 10th-highest average among 41 running backs with at least 100 carries. His power, speed, and explosiveness all contributed to his 3.0 yards after contact per carry average, which ranked seventh among the same group of players. The only other players with a comparable amount of carries that ranked in the top 10 in both categories were Ezekiel Elliott , Jordan Howard , and Mark Ingram .

• Bell is arguably the best pass-catching back in the league as well. He averaged 6.3 receptions per game in 2016, giving him the second-highest single-season average for a running back in the history of the NFL ( Matt Forte , 6.4 in 2014). The Steelers throw him the ball out of the backfield on screens, swings, flats, circle routes, and more. He also lined up as a true receiver on 15.3 percent of his snaps this season, per Pro Football Focus. The Steelers throw it to him when he's lined out wide on smoke screens, slants, fade routes -- he works the entire route tree like he's one of their regular receivers; at 6-foot-2 and 230 pounds, he's basically the size of a guy like Dez Bryant anyway.

• You can't cover him with a linebacker or a safety because most of them are no match for his speed. Corners stand a better chance in coverage, but if you're using your best on Antonio Brown , it's likely that you're leaving Bell with a mismatch. Slide the best cover corner onto Bell and you risk letting the best receiver in football go to work on an inferior player.

• The only defensive unit to effectively negate Bell was the Baltimore Ravens -- Bell's 70 total yards against Baltimore in Week 9 represented his lowest total of the season. The Ravens shot the very small gaps in Pittsburgh's offensive line and held Bell to only 1.0 yard per carry before contact, tackling him at or behind the line of scrimmage on three of his 14 carries (a rate that's equal to Baltimore's 21 percent stuff rate on the season) while allowing him to gain more than three yards on only one. Their linebackers, C.J. Mosley and Zachary Orr in particular, were all over the field all game. That duo combined for 16 tackles and eight run stops. Bell found a degree of success catching the ball out of the backfield (he caught three of four targets for 24 yards against Orr), but the Baltimore corners were able to hold him in check when he lined up out wide.

• Defensive tackles Alan Branch and Malcom Brown need to generate push up the middle. Defensive ends Chris Long , Trey Flowers , Rob Ninkovich , and Jabaal Sheard need to crash down and tackle the dive while still maintaining the edge in order to prevent Bell from bouncing his runs to the outside. Linebackers Donta' Hightower, Elandon Roberts , and Kyle Van Noy may have the biggest responsibility, as they have to come up and play the run while making sure not to get beat by screens or play-action passes.

• The Pats might be better equipped to deal with Bell if and when he splits out wide. They have players like Devin McCourty and Eric Rowe that have experience as both corners and safeties. Because Malcolm Butler is likely to shadow Antonio Brown all game and because the Steelers' No. 2 and 3 wideouts are of such inferior quality to Brown, the Pats could even swing Logan Ryan (who has been incredible of late) onto Le'Veon when he splits out. None of them are likely to win every time when lined up across from Bell, but the ability to throw several different looks at him should help.

 

[Joker]

Your "DOMINANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" offensive line produced SIX field goals and ZERO touchdowns with a LeVeon Bell running the ball in KC. Perhaps you should re-evalaute your definition of "DOMINANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!".

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

This thread should really be named the dominance of the Steelers Oline. They've played unbelievable for a number of reasons.

Some 1st rd picks and ud guys. They have a nice mix that complements each other really in terms of style and chemistry.

This isn't Buffalo Bills who have a very good run game and want to bully you. They cant just gets away with that.

Like most teams they ask a lot of their line but in recent weeks Pitts line has played extremely well.

Its a zone/gap scheme that requires a lot movement up front to distort the los in their favor and stick to their block to create space/lanes for Bell.

In Jumbo expect the Gilbert pulling and the inside guys, who really are the star of the line. To slam our DT's and help createa wall on each side.

This is a great package bc it really illustrates why the line is so effective. The T's have improved a lot which allows the play to be so effective.

Bell is the biggest mis match on the field, particularly in a rec threat. Its not even close when you consider our guys aren't the best in coverage.
Not only that but Bell can be a bull and just bang his way to 3-4 yards. Very savy runner inside the tackles. Something Joe Mixon, a often compared college player, hasnt quite mastered yet.

Bell is the key above all else imo.


Our DT's have to anchor down and clog the A/B all day. Branch has been so underrated this year and I expect him to have a big day. Hes such a beast when he gets underneath the guy across from him.

Gap control to key but simply not enough here. Bell is usedto waiting for lanes to open and making something out of nothing. We have to get push up front. TFL's would be great but Im simply talking about moving the los back some to closethe distance between us and Bell.

Biggest key for our backers is not to over shoot Bell. It's a killer when we only have a few guys back there and Bell in space.

McCourty is a great tackler but lets not have to hope for him to make a great play that often.


GO PATS


(From the Bell thread)

 

[Joker]

"

Gap control to key but simply not enough here. Bell is used to waiting for lanes to open and making something out of nothing. We have to get push up front. TFL's would be great but Im simply talking about moving the los back some to closethe distance between us and Bell."

This SOUNDS like a real goo gee gaa gaa "I'm smart!" Knower of Things post but it makes zero sense in REAL football terms. Gap control IS key...the rest of this crap is B.S.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

"

Gap control to key but simply not enough here. Bell is used to waiting for lanes to open and making something out of nothing. We have to get push up front. TFL's would be great but Im simply talking about moving the los back some to closethe distance between us and Bell."

This SOUNDS like a real goo gee gaa gaa "I'm smart!" Knower of Things post but it makes zero sense in REAL football terms. Gap control IS key...the rest of this crap is B.S.

Makes perfect sense. Another wanna be tough guy forum hero. No worries.

Bell more than any other back in the league stays patient behind los. Giving him his usual space and time back there is not a good way to go about stopping him.

You can create push and maintain gap integrity at the same time. Not mutually exclusive.

He isn't a one cut back where you know he's coming 2 seconds after the hand off.

 

[Soul_Survivor88]

Makes perfect sense. Another wanna be tough guy forum hero. No worries.

Bell more than any other back in the league stays patient behind los. Giving him his usual space and time back there is not a good way to go about stopping him.

You can create push and maintain gap integrity at the same time. Not mutually exclusive.

He isn't a one cut back where you know he's coming 2 seconds after the hand off.

Thank you for making a positive, informative contribution to the thread

I could've sworn the suggested method to contain Bell was to fight patience with patience, not overpursue, and keep to your gap assignment, right?

Bill Belichick, Matt Patricia stress patience, discipline in containing Le'Veon Bell

"Well, I think defensively he really forces you to be disciplined," coach Bill Belichick said during today's conference call. "You jump out of there too quickly then you open up gaps and open up space. Le’Veon has a great burst through the hole. He doesn’t really need long to get through there, (and he) runs with good pad level. He’s hard to tackle so if you don’t get a full body on him then he’ll run right through those arm tackles. (He) really forces everybody to be sound in their gaps.

"Like I said, getting off and jumping around blocks or trying to get to the hole too quickly just opens up cutback lanes or stays in the front somewhere, and he does a great job of finding it. I mean team defense is the only way to stop it. There’s no one guy that can stop him. You’re going to have to have everybody doing a good job in a number of different areas all the way across the front and then do a good job of tackling."​

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

No problem man good work.

Fighting patience w/ patience is a perfect way to nail it!

Over pursuing or having a DT trying to be a hero is no bueno. First off very few DT's could make a play in close quarters and like the piece said that only opens up another lane.

Thats exactly what the Steelers are all about. Opening what lanes. Even in jumbo, their trying to create another lane as opposed to ramming the ball straight forward.

Honestly the last few games/weeks their line has played excellent and has been fun to watch. Throw back football. Esp the Miami game.

 

[patfanken]

Your "DOMINANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" offensive line produced SIX field goals and ZERO touchdowns with a LeVeon Bell running the ball in KC. Perhaps you should re-evalaute your definition of "DOMINANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!".

After reading all that I was amazed to discover that the Steelers didn't win every game, score everytime they had the ball, or ever bothered to waste a roster spot on a punter.

BTW- I was interested to note that in NONE of the analysis posted was there ever commented or took into effect the Pats successful run defense and all the great running attacks, and OL's they faced this season.

All the OP proves beyond the fact the Steelers have a good run game and fine OL (which is obvious with anyone with eyes), is that in a vaccuum you can make "the stats" tell pretty much any story you want it to, because based on the analysis quoted in the OP, the Pats shouldn't even bother to show up for the game.

 

[Soul_Survivor88]

All the OP proves beyond the fact the Steelers have a good run game and fine OL (which is obvious with anyone with eyes), is that in a vaccuum you can make "the stats" tell pretty much any story you want it to, because based on the analysis quoted in the OP, the Pats shouldn't even bother to show up for the game.

Ummm...not sure that's what the data or the film shows Ken. Ravens were able to do all the things needed to limit Bell in Week 9, and succeeded. The authors I cited were clear this could done, and made it clear the Pats have the personnel up front, the physicality, and discipline to shed blocks, react to running lanes, respond to weapon evem as deadly as Bell.

 

[IndianPat]

Ravens were able to do all the things needed to limit Bell in Week 9, and succeeded. The authors I cited were clear this could done, and made it clear the Pats have the personnel up front, the physicality, and discipline to shed blocks, react to running lanes, respond to weapon evem as deadly as Bell.

The writer conveniently forgets to mention the second meeting between Ravens and Pitt. In that game on Dec 25th, Bell got 122 yds on 20 carries (6 yd avg.) and 3 receptions for 15 yds. I guess by the time the second game against Ravens came around, Pitt had figured out what the Ravens were doing defensively against the run. BTW, in that game Pitt scored 21 points in the 4 qtr to score a come back win. 60 MINUTES, BABY. GO PATS!!

 

[Joker]

Makes perfect sense. Another wanna be tough guy forum hero. No worries.

Bell more than any other back in the league stays patient behind los. Giving him his usual space and time back there is not a good way to go about stopping him.

You can create push and maintain gap integrity at the same time. Not mutually exclusive.

He isn't a one cut back where you know he's coming 2 seconds after the hand off.

I'm no wannabe anything, big mouth. I'm a life long Pats fan, season ticket holder and ex-ball player from back when the QB wore a single faceguard helmet. I saw the game this season in Pittsburgh. Bell had 80 yards + on 21 carries. The Pats maintained gap integrity and controlled him. Have no idea what YOUR agenda is other than trying to impress everyone else with YOUR vast knowledge, obviously gleaned from all these months in the draft forum. See you at the game tomorrow...oh wait...you don't actually go to the games or support the Patriots, it's all about YOUR vast knowledge of the overpowering nature of the Pittsburgh Steelers offense. Great. get yourself an arm extension transplant so it's easier to pat your own back, Buford.

 

[mgcolby]

Magic number is less than 150...total yards from scrimmage that is for Bell. In all four losses with Bell in the lineup he had less than 150 total yards.

 

[TennisBallHead]

Well, it's a little easier to control Bell when Landry Jones is the QB.

 

[Ivan]

Magic number is less than 150...total yards from scrimmage that is for Bell. In all four losses with Bell in the lineup he had less than 150 total yards.

I agree, Bell is the key, if he's not producing they struggle. They will obviously mix it up but I won't be surprised if they go 3-4 with Chung spying Bell as a hybrid LB and Harmon in at safety.

 

[mgcolby]

I agree, Bell is the key, if he's not producing they struggle. They will obviously mix it up but I won't be surprised if they go 3-4 with Chung spying Bell as a hybrid LB and Harmon in at safety.

That would be interesting. Flowers-Branch-Long as the primary DL and Nink drops to OLB?

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

Simply trying to talk about the game.



Decent example of each player doing what needed. Playing with controlled aggression. Suh gets underneath his man and drives him back a few yards. Phillips stacks and sheds, while Wake just beats his man.

Best GIFs from the Dolphins' 30-12 Loss to the Steelers


Here you see how great the interior line is. They toss Suh and drive Phillips back making a nice wall for the best back in the league

Best GIFs from the Dolphins' 30-12 Loss to the Steelers


Sometimes a line, esp zone, will want to get to the 2nd level so bad they don't properly execute their 1st one. We do a good job of not getting distorted by their movement, get off our blocks and make a play. Branch will be key tomorrow.
Check out @BaldyNFL's Tweet:

 

[SammyBlueCat]

Hey guys! Give each other a break...

 

[Soul_Survivor88]

Simply trying to talk about the game.



Decent example of each player doing what needed. Playing with controlled aggression. Suh gets underneath his man and drives him back a few yards. Phillips stacks and sheds, while Wake just beats his man.

Best GIFs from the Dolphins' 30-12 Loss to the Steelers


Here you see how great the interior line is. They toss Suh and drive Phillips back making a nice wall for the best back in the league

Best GIFs from the Dolphins' 30-12 Loss to the Steelers


Sometimes a line, esp zone, will want to get to the 2nd level so bad they don't properly execute their 1st one. We do a good job of not getting distorted by their movement, get off our blocks and make a play. Branch will be key tomorrow.
Check out @BaldyNFL's Tweet:

Found this interesting exchange between Josh Cohen and Mike Giardi

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

An alternate key to slowing down bell is score TDs early. Nothing like jumping out to a quick, solid first half lead to make an opposing team feel a sense of urgency, take them away from their gameplan, make them throw a lot more than wanted.

 

[ViperGTS]

Only thing I'll give Pitt credit for is they can pull. Pouncey and DeCastro are studs pulling.

What I won't give them credit for is the run game. Watch tomorrow for how many times a Pitt lineman holds, then throws his hands up as in "Nothing to see here"

It's a subconscious movement too try to cover up something wrong. If they don't hold as much Bell doesn't get his chance to stop behind the line. I trust Branch, Brown and Valentine will have something to say about that.