When other AFC North teams fired OC, how did it impact

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It was a move that had to happen regardless of how the rest of the Steelers season finishes. Over the last decade or so, four offensive coordinators were fired mid-season by AFC North teams. The roster composition different for each team, one had tremendous results and what the other three did.

Baltimore has done it twice over the last 11 years. The Ravens fired much-maligned OC Marc Trestman on October 10, 2016. This much earlier in the season, but coming off a near identical loss, the Ravens was 16-10 to Washington. Baltimore was averaging 19 points a game at the time. They would lose the two games immediately following and finish 8-8, but scoring was up. Baltimore would average 24.7 points per game over the last 11 with quarterbacks coach Marty Mornhinweg calling plays.

On December 10, 2012 the division-leading Ravens fired Cam Cameron after two straight losses and turned play calling over to quarterbacks coach Jim Caldwell. They made the move despite averaging 24.7 points per game. This worked out better overall for the team than 2016, even though the Ravens lost two of its last three in the regular season. When it got into the playoffs, the Ravens were offensive juggernauts, winning the Super Bowl while averaging 31 points a game. Under Caldwell, Joe Flacco threw 15 touchdowns to two interceptions.

In 2018, the Browns fired offensive coordinator Todd Haley, along with head coach Hue Jackson on October 29. Cleveland would win five of its last eight averaging 23.8 points per game, five points a game higher than the first half of the season with Baker Mayfield as the quarterback.

In early September of 2017, the Bengals fired offensive coordinator Ken Zampese with quarterbacks coach Bill Lazor named as the interim. Cincinnati had scored nine points in the first two games. It would win seven of it’s last 14 and average 19 points a game with Andy Dalton at quarterback. He would end up with 25 touchdowns to 12 interceptions.

To close the season, the Steelers will face:

Cincinnati Bengals

·      24^th in pass yds allowed, 28^th in rush yds allowed, 21^st in pts allowed-22.6

Arizona Cardinals

·      20^th in pass yds allowed, 29^th in rush yds allowed, 27^th in pts allowed-25.8

New England Patriots

·      15^th in pass yds allowed, 8^th in rush yds allowed, 23^rd in pts allowed-23.8

Indianapolis Colts

·      16^th in pass yds allowed, 25^th in rush yds allowed, 26^th in pts allowed-24.8

Seattle Seahawks

·      19^th in pass yds allowed, 17^th in rush yds allowed, 19^th in pts allowed 21.8

Baltimore Ravens

·      6^th in pass yds allowed, 19^th in rush yds allowed, 2^nd in pts allowed-16.1

The schedule would lead you to believe in more offensive success. In each of the four recent AFC North firings, there has been improvement. To what extent, is up to Eddie Faulkner, Mike Sullivan, Kenny Pickett and the Steelers offense.