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Super Bowl: Steelers vs Seahawks

STEELERS RAN LESS, SCORED MORE

Under Coach Bill Cowher's smart hands the Pittsburgh Steelers great running game did LESS work during the 2005 season than in '04.

But their Yards per Play improved. And in a recent season Yards per Play was the most important stat in the game.

Total Rushing Plays with Winning Margin
Yearly 2003 to 2005

Pittsburgh Steelers

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Yds Gained per Play with Total Points Scored
Yearly 2003 to 2005

Pittsburgh Steelers

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What hapened? Steelers improved their Yards Gained per Play adding almost 1 1/2 Points per game to their scoring differential. While the league average (YELLOW) weakened, the Steelers improved.

Reason why? QB Roethlisberger's Yards per Completion jumped from 3rd to league leader adding almost 1 1/2 Points Scored by Offense.

Net Yards/Pass Comp with Total Points Scored
Yearly 2003 to 2005

Pittsburgh Steelers

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These small one and two point year-to-year improvements may not seem like much. But seven of them in one season produces one more TD. Ten in one season adds two scores.

A little more work, an added effort, just one more grunt and we could all improve.

Bud Goode