The Pittsburgh Steelers are starting to sputter. Head Coach Mike Tomlin and co. have lost back-to-back games as they have now fallen to an overall record of 4-3. In these back-to-back losses to the Cincinnati Bengals and Green Bay Packers, the defense has allowed at least 30 points and over 450 yards of total offense. This is not your average grandfather's Steelers defense, which is usually feared by everyone. Right now, nobody is afraid of this unit, which is why some people are starting to become very pessimistic. However, the former Steelers Super Bowl-winner and Hall of Fame head coach, Bill Cowher, is not one of those people.
David J Phillip / AP Photo
Steelers offensive leaders Jerome Bettis and Ben Roethlisberger meet with former Head Coach Bill Cowher on the sideline.
While appearing on The Dan Patrick Show this week, Cowher revealed why he is less alarmed than most after the team's latest performance against Green Bay.
"I think you have to be careful looking at and describing the whole game (against the Packers), saying, 'The defense was this,' or 'The defense was that,' Cowher explained. "There was a few plays in the first half where (the Steelers) got after them pretty good and held them to seven points. I think I'd be careful at this point trying to overanalyze some of it."
Perhaps the legend is right on this. Obviously, the defense's performance through the first half of the season has mainly been atrocious. Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin's group has allowed over 30 points in four of the team's first seven games and is currently ranked 30th in total defense (386.0 yards allowed per game).
Gene J. Puskar / AP Photo
Steelers Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin looking on from the sidelines.
Make no bones about it, it has been a dreadful start to 2025. However, Cowher illustrates a good point. On Sunday night against Green Bay, Pittsburgh's defense was solid in the first half, allowing just seven points to Jordan Love and co. Of course, they could not sustain that type of play in the second half, which has been an issue all year long.
Things Could Likely Get Uglier In Pittsburgh
While Cowher is potentially right about the whole picture on defense after Sunday night, the declining defensive performances from his old team are likely to continue. At least, that could be the case for another week. The reason is that the top-ranked offense in the NFL, which belongs to the one-loss Indianapolis Colts, will be coming to the Steel City this week. The Colts are averaging 385.3 total yards per game. Quarterback Daniel Jones (109.5 passer rating) looks like a potential MVP candidate, as does All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor (14 scrimmage touchdowns). It is safe to say that this might not be the Steelers' day on defense once again. After the Colts come to town this weekend, Tomlin and Co. will have to fly out to face Pro Bowl quarterback Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers, who own the fourth-ranked offense in the NFL (378.5 total yards per game). Then, the Steelers will have to face veteran quarterback Joe Flacco and the Bengals, whom they just lost to a few weeks ago.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' TJ Watt tries to tackle Colts' Jonathan Taylor.
The good news for the Steelers is that they are still in first place in the AFC North with the rest of the division currently under .500. Plus, four-time MVP and future first-ballot Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers is playing at a Pro Bowl level (104.4 passer rating). So, this team does have some things going for it after all. However, in the end, where this team can go will depend on the strides that this struggling defense can make the rest of the way. It can't pin all of its hopes on a 41-year-old quarterback, regardless of how good that quarterback has played. Adjustments will need to be made, and strategies will have to continue to change if you are both Tomlin and Austin. Otherwise, this team won't be in the running to win a playoff game. It is that simple.
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