Can coaches be “in the zone?”

The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, November 17th with a score of 18-16. This marks the 8th time in the last 9 meetings where the Steelers have came out on top of this rivalry game. What I find fascinating is that despite the Steelers objective success in the recent past of this AFC North rivalry, there continues to be a litany of excuses on why the Ravens are underperforming in these games. There are those that say Lamaar Jackson hasn’t played in several of these Steelers-Ravens games. There are those that say the Ravens beat themselves in several of these games. There are those that say the Steelers have been lucky in these games. There continues to be questions on why the Ravens keep losing these games. Why is no one asking why the Steelers are winning these games? Why is no one celebrating the Steelers “getting the job done” year in and year out in these games? Why is the conversation not giving the Steelers the credit for winning game plans, winning physicality, winning plays, and winning performances? In particular, why isn’t Mike Tomlin and the Steelers coaching staff getting credit for outcoaching Baltimore? I, for one, am sick of the love affair with the Ravens. I am sick of the love affair with Kansas City, Buffalo, Baltimore, and sometimes even Los Angeles and Houston being the darlings of the AFC, despite the objective evidence. This season has been a tick better with people respecting the Steelers; however, not by much. Most pundits and analysts wrote the Steelers off before the season began. It has taken 11 weeks and 8 wins for the Steelers to get smidge of respect, both inside and outside the fanbase. I have been pleased with the fanbase starting to come around lately. I listen to a lot of Steelers content and there does seem to be more optimism and less hesitancy to be proud of this team. There are less caveats and more discussion of the Steelers being “contenders.” I still do not think it is enough based on what they have done so far this season, but maybe they will get there with a win in the playoffs. Nevertheless, I think it is important to recognize where this team is right now and where they could go if the continue playing the way they are playing. If there is a drop off, it will be because the play dropped off, not because they are playing above their ceiling. The fact that the Steelers are 8-2 is in large part because of their coaching staff. Everyone needs to recognize that and wonder if the coaches can “be in the zone” the way we think players can be on the field.

As I have watched this season unfold, I have noticed a few striking patterns that give me a ton of optimism. The first pattern is that the Steelers typically improve throughout the game, both offensively and defensively. The Steelers have been throughout the season, and during each game, a team that improves. The Steelers defense has 3 second half shutouts this season, and in only 3 of their 10 games did a team score more points in the second half compared to the first. The Steelers have also score more points in the second half of games compared to the first in 6 of their 10 games. The Steelers improve in-game. Is this solely because the players “wake up” mid game? Or, is this good coaching with appropriate adjustments to maximize success? I would argue that the Steelers coaching staff, both offensively and defensively, has done an amazing job of adjusting in-game to eventually win. This cannot be understated. In addition to the in-game moves, the Steelers have seemed to have good game plans when each game is looked at globally. After rewatching most of the games this season, it has been evident what the Steelers wanted to do offensively and defensively in each game. These game plans have put them in positions to win all 10 games, and if one down goes differently against Dallas (if the fumble caused by Elandon Roberts at the goal line takes different bounce), they could have been victorious in at least 9 of those contests. As an example of these game plans, in the most recent two games, the Steelers blitzed more than any other games this season. However, the blitzes have been controlled and disciplined. They have been designed specifically to minimize the legs of Jayden Daniels and Lamaar Jackson. This is good game planning. This is smart coaching. And this seems to be a theme that has been constant all season. Next, we do not need to look hard to find the best Special Teams unit in the league. The players consistently chalk this up to Danny Smith. The Steelers have had the edge in special teams in every game this season. This includes Chris Boswell, Corliss Waitman, the coverage unit on kicks, the blocks, and the physicality. This has to start with coaching. Lastly, this most recent win against the Ravens highlighted what Arthur Smith is doing well as our Offensive Coordinator. He is adjusting. In the first half against the Ravens the Steelers surrendered 4 sacks and had a hard time getting a flow in the running or passing game. After watching the film, it appears the Steelers were trying to execute deep routes with 7 step drops for Wilson. This, along with poor push along the front, led to a stagnant run game and limited success down field passing. Did Arthur Smith and the offense do the same thing in the second half? No! The change was evident. The passing game involved more screens, more quick passes, more stretch run plays. This opened the game up and the Steelers, and despite not punching it in for touchdown, they still moved the ball fluidly and ate up the time of possession. This is good coaching and a professional offensive coordinator. So far, Mike Tomlin and his coaching staff have made all the right moves, pre game, in-game, and post game. I ask this question: Are the Steelers coaches currently “in the zone?” A lot can change in the NFL on a short week, but I would argue this might be the closest thing to coaching excellence this season across the league.