The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a relatively ugly stretch of games in back-to-back weeks, especially on defense. Two weeks ago, they fell to 40-year-old quarterback Joe Flacco and the Cincinnati Bengals by a score of 33-31. In that game, despite future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers tossing four touchdowns, the Pittsburgh defense allowed over 450 total yards. This past week against the Green Bay Packers, Rodgers (101.5 passer rating), against his former team, again had a solid performance. However, that was all for not as Head Coach Mike Tomlin witnessed his defense give up 35 points to an unstoppable Packers offense.
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Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers throws the football during an away game against the Bengals in the 2025 NFL season.
Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger spoke Tuesday about what Pittsburgh has failed to do each of the past couple of weeks via Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger.
"As long as we executed and do what we were supposed to do, the adjustments made at halftime were going to give us an opportunity to win, right? I feel personally like, as I'm watching these games, it doesn't feel like the adjustments are being made," Roethlisberger said. "It just feels like the second half of ballgames, we stink."
These are strong, but seemingly accurate words from the two-time Super Bowl champion. Pittsburgh has been in every game this season and has had a lead in the second half of each of its seven games. Whether it has been the inability of the offense to go the extra mile, or the defense completely falling apart at the seams in the most important moments, this team is really struggling to find its way down the road.
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Steelers' Aaron Rodgers sits in his locker before a home game at against the Green Bay Packers in 2025.
As the midway point of the season is fast approaching, Tomlin and co. are in first place in the AFC North at 4-3, which Steelers fans should feel thankful for. As bad as this team has played, and even though they have failed to adjust multiple times over, they are still in a good spot with everything in front of them.
Steelers Must Learn Art Of Adjusting And Executing
Being able to make adjustments, especially in the second half, is key for every NFL team. As legendary boxer Mike Tyson once said, everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth. All teams have a plan for how they think the game may go. However, in this sport, you have to be able to change things up on the fly if a protection scheme or a blitz package isn't exactly flourishing. While the Steelers haven't been awful at adjusting and then executing, the team is better than it's 4-3 record. Furthermore, its roster is better than most.
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Patrick Queen and Joey Porter on the field during the Steelers 35-25 loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 8 of the 2025 NFL Season.
Many who follow along with the organization would agree that the biggest problem with the franchise is the defense. After all, it is currently ranked 30th in the league in total defense (386.0 total yards allowed). If that side of the football, led by Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin, could take a closer step towards being simply average, this offense is more than good enough to do the rest. Rodgers and co. have put up at least 21 points in six of their first seven games this season. If this was the Steelers' defense from 10 or 15 years ago, this team could very well be 6-1 or unbeaten.
Time will only tell if this team can adjust before everything really spirals out of control. If these two past games were rough against the Bengals and Packers, think of how bad it could get with the one-loss Indianapolis Colts and the 5-3 Los Angeles Chargers on the horizon. It is time for the coaches and players to step up, especially with the way this team has gotten thrown around these last two weeks.
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