Jets at Steelers

Clock time is likely to play a big part of the victory in the Steelers/Jets playoff game Saturday. (See the stat graphic, Clock Control, for the Steelers relative to the league.)

Averaging almost 34 minutes of clock time the Steelers' offensive running game limits the number of opponent plays. Their improvement this season added 5.22 points per game to their scoring differential (winning margin).

But the stat that really moved the Steelers into Super Bowl contention was their Run/Pass "balance" (ratio of 1.8-to-1). This season the Steelers improved 15.7 points per game in their winning margin. That's a Gee, Whiz number. (See the stat graphic for the Steelers Run/Pass balance.)

In the last 20 years no team has hit the Steelers' ratio of 1.8-to-1 (18 rushes vs 10 passes).

The Bears, in '85 and '86 under Coach Mike Ditka were in the 1.4 - to-1 range (and won their Super Bowl). And last year Coach Brian Billick's Baltimore Ravens made the playoffs with a ratio of 1.3-to-1.

But to repeat, no team has matched this 1.8-to-1 power RB Bettis gives the Steelers.

One of the big advantages of a heavy running attack is -- since a team can't run and pass on the same play, the MORE they run the LESS they pass.

And this gives the PASS offense a chance to radically improve efficiency. For example, let's assume a team throws 18 passes per game. Historically, the Miami Dolphins did it in the '60's and won a Super Bowl.

So if a team were to throw 18 and complete 9 passes, their average would be 50%.

But add 1 completion per quarter and the resultant 12 completions on 18 attempts jumps efficiency over 70%.

And that is exactly what happened with the Steelers and rookie QB Roethlisberger. With much more power running, Steeler passing efficiency went through the roof.

In week 7 our archives show the Steelers' stat profile favored them in this year's Super Bowl.

And on Saturday you will recognize RB Bettis as the reason why the Steelers are leading the Jets--he'll be the one with the linebackers stuck in his teeth.

If the two teams play to statistical form the electronic hardware favors the Steelers over the Jets by 6 1/2.

Bud Goode

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