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Historically Bad: Steelers Offense Reaches New Low in Loss
The Pittsburgh Steelers offense is playing worse than it has in a very long time heading into the postseason.
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering the postseason on an historically bad note. Not only are they heading into the playoffs on a four-game losing streak, but their offense is playing worse than it has in the past five years.
During Pittsburgh’s four-game losing streak, they have failed to score more than 17 points in every game. They never even had such a four-game stretch at any point of the Matt Canada era (2021-23) and many have tabbed Canada as the worst offensive coordinator in recent Steelers history.
The Steelers offensive struggles don’t stop there, either. Pittsburgh has also not held a lead during any point of their four-game losing streak (240 minutes of game time) and have only been tied for 25 min, 46 seconds in that time (since Dec. 8).
Many have criticized the Steelers offense for their slow starts, and rightfully so, since the unit failed to score a first-drive touchdown during the entire regular season.
Pittsburgh’s issues on offense seem to be stemming much deeper, though.
Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson was among those searching for answers after the game, but he doesn’t think they’ll find any by looking at the past.
“I don’t really want to talk about the past just because we’ve been in that for a little bit here,” Wilson said. “I think the best thing we can do is get ready for the playoffs. It’s a new season. That’s the only thing that really matters anymore at this point.”
That’s a bit of a head-scratching take since Wilson was playing some of his best football at the beginning of the season. The same can’t be said for the last four weeks as he’s thrown for just 698 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions.
How does Wilson think the offense can turn their woes around?
“We’ve got to be effective on first down to give ourselves a chance on third down,” Wilson said. “Whatever that is I think we’ve got to be able to do that. It’s a key part to the game, being great on first and second down.”
In the Steelers and Bengals first meeting of the season in Week 13, Pittsburgh had 520 yards of total offense. On Saturday night, it recorded just 193 yards.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin reiterated Wilson’s sentiment that they aren’t executing like they were a month ago.
“We made plays in that one,” Tomlin said. “We didn’t make routine plays in this one.”
It remains to be seen what it will take to get the Steelers offense clicking like it was.
A quarterback change? Probably not.
A change in philosophy? Maybe.
One thing that isn’t going to change, however, is the group’s confidence in itself. Good thing, too, because the Steelers are going to need it heading on the road in the postseason.
“I do,” Wilson said of his confidence heading into the playoffs. “Everybody we’ve played, I feel like we’ve had a chance in those games. Even going back to Philadelphia, where it kind of went negative a little bit.”
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