The Pittsburgh Steelers have lost three of their last four games, and they have struggled to put together a complete game. Despite having talent on offense, defense, and special teams, Pittsburgh is just 5-4 with a one-game lead in the AFC North.
And the talent not translating to results has made the team’s recent skid extra frustrating, OLB T.J. Watt said Friday.
“Very confident in everybody we have in this locker room. I think that’s what makes it more frustrating. We know how talented we can be, we know how talented we are. It’s just about putting it together, playing a complete game, offense, defense, special teams, getting the ball, creating that splash we’re used to seeing here,” Watt said via Steelers.com. “I definitely could play better. I don’t think anybody’s happy with how they’re playing in this locker room.”
Watt has had a good season, but it hasn’t been the type that we’re used to seeing from him. Through nine games, he has six sacks, which ranks outside the top 10 in the league. Watt has routinely been among the NFL’s sack leaders and has led the league in sacks three times. To be tied with the likes of Al-Quadin Muhammad and barely ahead of Dorance Armstrong Jr. isn’t something the Steelers are used to seeing.
Of course, despite his actual sack totals not being as high, Watt is still among the most-feared pass rushers in the league. He gets a ton of attention from opposing defenses, which has allowed Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig to get to the quarterback, as each have 5.5 sacks.
Outside of just looking at Watt, it hasn’t been a season to remember for many Steelers. Aaron Rodgers and the offense have struggled over the last two games, and the team’s secondary has been gashed at times this season despite the additions of Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay. As Watt said, the talent is there, but the Steelers haven’t been able to consistently put it together and win games.
With a locker room full of players who have performed at an All-Pro level, it’s clearly stinging a little bit more in the locker room that the Steelers haven’t been consistently good. It comes down to playing a complete game. Lately, when the defense has played well, the offense hasn’t, and vice versa. Even on special teams, an area where they are usually among the league’s best, the Steelers haven’t been perfect. A muffed punt and a rare missed field goal by Chris Boswell played a role in the team’s Week 10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
The problems should be fixable, and it seems as if Watt and the rest of the locker room know they’re capable of doing more. We’ll see if they can get back on track Sunday in a rematch against the Cincinnati Bengals.
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