The season is one-quarter through, and the Pittsburgh Steelers have yet to convert more than three third-down opportunities in any one game yet.

The Steelers have exactly three third-down conversions during each of their first four games this season. Their only improvement in the area has come merely in that they had fewer such opportunities during their most recent game Monday against Cincinnati.

The Steelers went 3 for 9 against the Bengals after going either 3 for 12 or 3 for 11 during each of their first three games. Quarterback Mason Rudolph sees that as progress.

“I think we’re getting better every week,” Rudolph said Thursday. “It’s a matter of execution. Calls have been great. We’ll keep working and we’ll start to convert more — but we’re starting to get more first downs on more first and second downs, and I think that’s a sign of a good offense.”

Overall, the Steelers’ 27.2% third-down conversion rate ranks 30th in the NFL, ahead of only the winless New York Jets and Miami Dolphins. They’ve actually been better on third downs of 3-10 yards to go (30%) than in third-and-1 or -2 situations (28.9%).

“We’ve got to be better on third downs,” Rudolph said, “and we’re moving in that direction.”

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