PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers have struggled mightily in the red zone as of late. Over the past two weeks, they have scored just one touchdown inside the 20-yard line — a three-yard run by running back Jaylen Warren.
Quarterback Russell Wilson knows the Steelers must quickly correct those issues if they hope to stay competitive in the race for the playoffs, but he’s confident that will happen sooner rather than later.
“I think the thing is we just got to stay on schedule first and second down,” Wilson said. “We’ve got to make plays and we’ve got to find plays, and I don’t think we’re far off. I definitely don’t think that. I think we played two tough games over the past two weeks and I believe in us. I know how capable we are and I’m looking forward to it.”
The Steelers have played two tough divisional games, but things aren’t going to get any easier with a matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 13.
Pittsburgh will need to turn those field goals into touchdowns if it hopes to keep up with Cincinnati’s hot offense, which is averaging the sixth-most points per game (27) in the league.
RELATED: Steelers HC Mike Tomlin Gives Joe Burrow a Ringing Endorsement
The Steelers red zone struggles can be chalked up to several things, but Wilson revealed the offense is looking at good and bad film to find answers.
“I think we study just everything,” Wilson said. “I think we study the things we’ve done well. I think that’s the first thing and do more of it. I think that’s one thing. I think the second thing is figure out where we’re missing. We’ve had a lot of third-and-longs down there it seems like, and so we’ve got to make sure that we’re giving ourselves the best chance to run all of our red zone plays that we practice and do everything that we are prepared to do.”
One answer to the Steelers red zone struggles could be further implementing fellow quarterback Justin Fields into the offense.
RELATED: Slash 2.0? Big Ben Would Like to See Justin Fields at WR
Wilson doesn’t think it will even take that much of a change, though. He’s focused on getting the offense back on track this Sunday.
“I think we know that we’re capable of that and I think it’s so tough to look at one week or two weeks or this or that and just judge everything based off of that,” Wilson said. “I think we just got to look for the next moment.”
Alan Saunders provided reporting from Pittsburgh.