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You can learn a lot about the 2024 Steelers from the team’s snap counts.
Welcome back to the final edition of Steelers snap counts following Pittsburgh’s playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Steelers Wild Card snap count takeaways
- George Pickens, Van Jefferson, and Calvin Austin III were all within four offensive snaps of each other, all in the 70% range. Then there’s Mike Williams, who played just nine snaps (20%), and Ben Skowronek (16%). Another week of the Steelers underutilizing Williams, who once again was able to haul in a big reception in his limited target(s).
- Jaylen Warren had less carries than Najee Harris but still out-snapped him, logging 53% of offensive plays to Harris’ 47%. More or less an even split. Missing out on the fun was Cordarrelle Patterson, who never even got one snap in the running back rotation. He quipped about it on social media after the game.
- Offensive tackle Calvin Anderson played 64% of offensive snaps following Dan Moore Jr.’s injury.
- Minkah Fitzpatrick got one offensive snap in the Steelers’ end-of-first-half “victory” formation.
- A big game for DeShon Elliott with an uncharacteristically high 97% of defensive snaps. The Steelers swapped him out for Damontae Kazee (32%) less than usual due to the Ravens’ powerful rushing attack.
- Patrick Queen logged all but one defensive snap despite reportedly playing the flu.
- Beanie Bishop Jr. just saw one snap on Saturday. He’s all but disappeared from the defensive lineup late this season. Cam Sutton only played 24% of defensive snaps, but he still struggled.
- Miles Killebrew sighting: 11% of defensive snaps (eight plays).
- Elandon Roberts (63% of defensive snaps) received more playing time than the rookie Payton Wilson (38%). It’s not surprising; their usage tends to change based on offensive matchups.
- The Steelers’ interior defensive line hierarchy: Cam Heyward (79% of defensive snaps), Larry Ogunjobi (74%), Isaiahh Loudermilk (43%), Keeanu Benton (42%), Montravius Adams (26%). Benton being at DL4 has some to do with positional usage, but it’s still not a great sign to see.
- The Steelers’ outside linebacker rotation: Alex Highsmith (90% of defensive snaps), T.J. Watt (85%), Nick Herbig (24%), Jeremiah Moon (85).
- Want to know why Jeremiah Moon keeps getting a helmet? He’s become a core special teamer, playing a whopping 87% of special teams snaps on Saturday.
- The Steelers’ offensive-to-defensive plays ratio this week: 45:72.
Making the most of it award
Following an ugly Wild Card performance, there aren’t many candidates for the award this week. As a result, Mike Williams brings home the last “Making the most of it” award of the season following a big 37-yard catch despite single-digit offensive snaps.
Now, here’s a full look at the Steelers snap counts from Wild Card weekend:
Steelers Wild Card snap counts
Snap counts via Next Gen Stats.
What are your takeaways from this week’s snap counts? Join the Behind the Steel Curtain community and let us know in the comments!