Larger text
Smaller text
Steelers are remaining optimistic despite 2-3 start to NFL season
On the record
The Steelers' 2-3 record is not unprecedented, nor has the team never rebounded from such a start. The Steelers have been 2-3 or worse 13 times since the 1970 NFL merger. Their five-game results and final record during those seasons:
Year Start Finish
2006 2-3 8-8
2003 2-3 6-10
2002 2-3 10-5-1*
2000 2-3 9-7
1999 2-3 6-10
1990 2-3 9-7
1989 2-3 9-7*
1988 1-4 5-11
1986 1-4 6-10
1985 2-3 7-9
1976 1-4 10-4*
1971 2-3 6-8
1970 2-3 5-9
*Made playoffs
By Alan Robinson
Published: Sunday, October 14, 2012, 11:02 p.m.
Updated: Saturday, October 20, 2012
Maybe the Steelers will look back on this stretch in December, as Larry Foote suggests, and say it prevented them only from having a great season.
Or maybe they will remember this as the time their season got away.
The Steelers (2-3) already have reached a crisis level. Keep this up, and they might be doomed to the worst Steelers season since the 2003 team went 6-10. Even if they get it fixed, there is plenty of catching up to do.
There were two can't-lose games in the front half of their schedule: against the statistically terrible Titans and the bad-all-around Raiders. The Steelers gave up late leads and lost on final-play field goals, including their 26-23 loss Thursday at Tennessee.
“We've dug deeper since I've been here,” left tackle Max Starks said. “I'm not worried. I'm not discouraged. If this is the worst that can happen, we'll be all right.”
Still, this team is one loss away from matching the regular-season total of each of their past two teams, which went 12-4.
What must be most troubling is there isn't an easy fix, not with major issues on both sides of the ball.
Offensively, they can't run — a running back has yet to gain 70 yards in a game — or put away games in the fourth quarter, during which they've been outscored, 47-29. Their 3-yards-per-carry average is the NFL's second lowest.
And whether their games involve regular officials or replacements, it doesn't matter; flags are flying with such regularity that the Steelers are the NFL's most-penalized team (79.5 yards per game). A season ago, they were 14th in penalties.
Defensively, they can't get off the field, as opponents are converting on nearly half of all third downs (29 of 59); only the Raiders are worse. They're also near the bottom with only two interceptions.
“We've got to be more efficient in different areas,” left guard Willie Colon said. “The main thing is we've got to stay together as a team. We can't point fingers. We can't get into who's at fault. We've got to flat-out do better. Somehow, somewhere, we've got to pick it up.”
The supposed easy stretch of the schedule is over. The Steelers travel to Cincinnati on Sunday night, then play the Redskins at home and the Super Bowl champion Giants on the road. Their four games after that include two against the AFC North-leading Ravens (5-1).
Then there's this: The Steelers since 1970 have reached the playoffs only three times after having a losing record at this stage of the season (2002, 1989 and 1976).
“One of the biggest things is that time is still on our side,” Starks said. “But we've got to be vigilant. We can't be careless with that time.”
Foote has been through numerous crisis levels during his 10 seasons in Pittsburgh.
“I've seen this pop up before late in the season, but this is uncharted waters at the start of a season,” Foote said. “I've never been here before. That's why this game is so great, so emotional, why we respect it so much, because it is a challenge.
“Now we've got to take it head on. We got to own it, and we have to take responsibility. And the next game we've got to go win.”
Alan Robinson is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at arobinson@tribweb.com.
Most Popular Steelers
- Steelers hope new blocking scheme kick-starts running game
- Steelers notebook: Gilbert hopes to stay on left side of O-line
- Steelers notebook: Slimmed-down Redman optimistic for 2013
- Steelers quarterback Roethlisberger likes the revamped offense
- Steelers’ Polamalu trim, fit as he arrives for OTAs
- Steelers veteran outside linebacker Woodley: ‘I’m good to go’
- Steelers’ Miller watches, waits while teammates practice
- Steelers notebook: Less talk, more work is Tomlin’s theme
- Coach Tomlin, Steelers facing plenty of questions as OTAs start
- Steelers might be looking at a youth movement in 2013
- Steelers reach agreement with sixth-round pick Williams
You must be signed in to add comments
To comment, click the Sign in or sign up at the very top of this page.
They don't have the team to turn things around. If healthy, the O-line was still a work in progress at best...and the defense is just horrible, especially the secondary. Also, throw in crucial mistakes against horrible teams and you're now one game ahead of the Browns who actually have positive momentum going their way. And don't forget the rookie getting arrested for hit and run DUI. I thought I accidentally logged on to the Bengals website! About last week's game: I'd be PO'ed if I was Redman after producing nearly 100 yards on 2 plays that ended in only 3 total points. Also, I'd throw Taylor on the line, because he can't cover his man, but sure knows how to tackle him...unfortunately before the ball gets there. Tomlin...you might want to consider punting and taking it to OT rather than give up good field position when your defense can't stop an aging backup QB? I finally found something that is more disappointing than the Pirates.
Subscribe today! Click here for our subscription offers.
