Stats that stood out in the Steelers’ big win over the Texans

by Joe Kuzma (joe_kuzma) on December 28, 2017

The Steelers big 34-6 victory over the Houston Texans left a lasting impression in several statistical categories.

Mike Hilton

Since 1982, when sacks became an official statistic, there have been nine 3.0 sack games by NFL defensive backs – three of which by #Steelers defensive backs:

Mike Hilton Dec. 25, 2017 at Houston
Troy Polamalu Sept. 18, 2005 at Houston
Carnell Lake Nov. 30, 1997 at Arizona

Hilton became third Steelers defensive back to tally 3.0 sacks in a game (C. Lake and T. Polamalu) since the stat became official in 1982

Mike Hilton is also the first Steelers cornerback to earn AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors since 2012 (I. Taylor, Week 9)

Team Stats

Since 2007:

3 NFL teams have 4 or more seasons with at least 12 wins
5 NFL teams have 3 seasons with at least 12 wins
5 NFL teams have 2 seasons with at least 12 wins
9 NFL teams have 1 season with at least 12 wins
And 10 NFL teams have 0 seasons with at least 12 wins

The Steelers rank third in the NFL in total offense – averaging 379.9 yards per game and fourth in the NFL in total defense – holding opponents to an average of 302.4 yards per game, making Pittsburgh the only AFC team to rank in the top five in total offense and defense in 2017.

The Steelers are now 12-3 and 9-2 vs. AFC teams in 2017. Pittsburgh has clinched a season with at least 12 wins for the 10th time in team history and for the first time since 2011 (12-4).

Pittsburgh also finished with a 7-1 regular-season road record in 2017 – tied as the best road mark in a single-season in team history (2010, 2004 and 1978).

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Mike Tomlin

Mike Tomlin has led the Steelers to a 12-win season in 2017 for the 4th time since becoming the team’s head coach in 2007.

Pittsburgh is tied for the 2nd-most seasons with at least 12 wins in the NFL since Tomlin became head coach in 2007:

New England 9
Pittsburgh 4
Denver 4

Tomlin increased his regular-season win total to 115 – tying Joe Gibbs for the second-most wins by a head coach in their first 11 seasons in NFL history (Don Shula: 117).

Cameron Heyward

Cameron Heyward leads the Steelers with a single-season career high 12.0 sacks in 2017. His 12.0 sacks are tied as 4th-most among all NFL defensive linemen in 2017 and are tied as 2nd-most by a Steeler d-lineman in a season since the stat became official in 1982

Steelers Defense

The Steelers defense ranks second in the NFL with 50 sacks in 2017. Pittsburgh has posted the team’s eighth season with at least 50 sacks in team history in 2017.

It is the team’s first 50-sack season since 2008, when Pittsburgh defeated Arizona in Super Bowl XLIII.