The Pittsburgh Steelers blew out the Cleveland Browns on Sunday in Week 8 as the team played what was probably its most complete game of the 2026 season. The contest was fun to watch for fans as the Browns could not really get anything going on the offensive side of the ball, while the Steelers were able to keep the chains moving throughout the majority of the game. This victory gives Pittsburgh the lead in the AFC North as the team heads into its bye week, but there is still plenty of room to improve as the Steelers have developed a big problem.
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Steelers' Mike McCarthy on the sideline at Acrisure Stadium during a big win over the Cleveland Browns in 2026.
The Steelers' biggest problem over the last few weeks has been execution in the red zone. The team has settled for far too many field goals down in that area of the field, and the offense needs to rely on the running game a bit more once the group gets the ball down there around the goal line. Pittsburgh had back-to-back possessions against Cleveland where the offense got the ball inside the Browns' 10-yard line, but on both occasions Pittsburgh had to settle for a field goal.
Being able to execute in the red zone is extremely important. Sure, three points is better than none, but the best teams in the NFL are able to score touchdowns in the majority of those situations. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers expressed some frustration after the game about how the offense should have been able to put more points on the board, and beat writer Gerry Dulac shared on 102.5 WDVE that the quarterback has every right to be upset.
"Yeah, obviously, those two series, I'm not sure, you can call it whatever you want, horrid play-calling or horrid decision-making, but those back-to-back series down by the goal line were disgraceful and embarrassing. Then of course the throw to DK [Metcalf] was not his fault, the interception, was not his fault, but he's not going to sit there and blame DK, but that was a missed opportunity. But yeah, with those two series, that's enough to stick in his craw, and rightfully so."
On Pittsburgh's first drive of the second quarter, the offense drove the ball 86 yards down the field and took over seven minutes off of the clock. The group ran three plays from the Browns' two-yard line, and the offense didn't move an inch. Two plays were incomplete passes while the third was a run for no gain. Pittsburgh still opted for the field goal to take a two possession lead.
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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers (8) and Will Howard (18) and Drew Allar (right) talk with Quarterbacks Coach Tom Arth (middle) during the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Acrisure Stadium.
The next drive for the Steelers was very similar. Pittsburgh drove the ball down the field to Cleveland's eight-yard line, yet the Steelers had to settle for a field goal. Against better teams this is the type of problem that will lose a game. The Steelers need to be better down around the end zone, and Rodgers knows it. This is why he was so frustrated during his postgame press conference. He knows if Pittsburgh doesn't address the issue it could eventually end their season.
Steelers Need To Self Scout Red Zone Issue During Bye Week
The red zone problems for the Steelers have been prevalent throughout the last three weeks. During the win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 6, the Steelers had a chance to score a touchdown near the end of regulation, but the Steelers decided to throw it twice in three plays while inside Tampa Bay's five-yard line. Against the New Orleans Saints, the Steelers were one for four in the red zone. Offensive Coordinator Brian Angelichio has already said that fixing this problem is going to be a priority heading into the bye week, so hopefully improvement is seen in Week 10 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
What do you think about the Steelers' red zone performance so far in 2026? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
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