PITTSBURGH (AP) – The Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t do much in a blowout loss to Cleveland. But players say they believe they have the talent to turn things around if they execute better and with more consistency.
“We have been too inconsistent, and when you’re inconsistent you play good halves and good quarters,” cornerback Ike Taylor said Monday. “But you’re up and down, and that’s what you don’t want to be in the NFL. When we get our consistency back, we’ll start stacking wins.”
The Steelers (3-3) haven’t stacked wins too often lately. They missed the playoffs the last two years, going 8-8 both years. This season, they’ve alternated wins and losses.
Defensively, the Steelers allow opponents to convert more than 35 percent of third downs. Offensively, they’re near the bottom of the league at scoring touchdowns from the red zone. And penalties are hampering all three phases of the game.
Tight end Heath Miller said the offense is looking to improve its results when it gets close to the goal line.
“We’re searching for answers about ways to execute better down there, and we’ll be looking at it again this week,” Miller said. “(And) all we can do is try to execute the plays that we’re given the best that we can.”
Now the Steelers are asking themselves if they can turn it around. Franchise history is filled with mixed results in reacting to similar situations.
“The talent is there,” outside linebacker Jason Worilds said. “That’s not the question. It’s more about everybody being accountable and being consistent. I think, for one reason or another, we’ll have a lapse. And those lapses can get you beat.”
Pittsburgh’s next make-or-break stretch includes home games against Houston, Indianapolis and Baltimore.
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