Throughout the majority of the season, one of the key factors for the Steelers success has been a combination of taking the ball away on defense and protecting it on offense.
The trend has changed as of late, something that has gotten the attention of Coach Mike Tomlin.
Going into the Christmas Day game against the Kansas City Chiefs the Steelers were plus-17 in turnover ratio, second in the NFL. That ratio is now plus-15 following the loss to the Chiefs, still one of the best in the NFL, but with a team that takes such pride in their turnover culture, something they want to address.
It's something the Steelers talked about last Thursday when they met after the game, and something they continue to focus on.
"We looked at some trends in most recent performances, and specifically some things that we have been talking about in this setting," said Coach Mike Tomlin. "Things that have been building blocks for engineering victory for us. The turnover culture, our ability to safeguard the ball, our ability to get the ball really in recent weeks has been compromised. We looked at that and analyzed that in an effort to flip that trend.
"Certainly, we've done a nice job largely over the course of the season of taking care of the ball and on the other side of getting the ball. But I think our inability to do those things really kind of shaped the most recent performances, particularly on Christmas Day."
Quarterback Russell Wilson threw an interception near the end of the first quarter while the Steelers had the ball on the Chiefs' 18-yard line that could have translated into seven, or even three, points.
In the fourth quarter, another turnover, this one a fumble by tight end Pat Freiermuth after a 10-yard reception, gave the Chiefs the ball on a short field, which they turned into a touchdown to take a 29-10 lead.
"You can't take points off the board when you're in scoring position, a touchdown, a field goal," said Tomlin. "Obviously with the ridiculous consistency of (Chris) Boswell this year, when you're turning the ball over in the red zone, you definitively taking points off the board.
"Coupled with that, because there are two sides to the coin, we haven't seized opportunities when the ball has been on the ground or tipped up in the air. Our punt team, I think for the second time in two or three weeks, has had a ball on the ground that we weren't able to recover. We had a ball tipped up in the air that we had an opportunity to catch that would have given us great field position around the 30-yard line. We didn't catch that, and you just need those type of splash plays particularly in tight ballgames versus good people. Oftentimes it shapes the outcome of the game."
It's a trend the Steelers know they need to turn around in a hurry, especially with the regular season finale against a motivated Cincinnati Bengals team on Saturday night and the playoffs on the near horizon.
"I think back to the first time we played Cincinnati, and we gave up a pick six early in the game, but we created a defensive score later in the game to offset that," said Tomlin. "And we won essentially by one score. So, if you're not taking care of it, you certainly better get it, which is what we've done over the large part of the season.
"You want to be able to take care of it and get it."
The Bengals are fighting for a playoff spot, and quarterback Joe Burrow is coming off a three-touchdown game where he completed 39 passes for 412 yards in a win over the Denver Broncos.
"We've got to do a real good job of playing as a collective," said Tomlin. "That's what's required when you play a group that's as hot as this group is, and a player that's as talented and hot as Joe is. It's not about individual playmaking. It's about collective playmaking. It's about rush and coverage. It's about mixing things up. He has great continuity in terms of people that he works with, not only his eligibles, but from a staff perspective. When you play a guy like that, that's on top of his game, that understands where people are and understands what's asked of him and understands his schematics inside out, you better also focus on yours and what you do well and things that you know and understand and can execute under duress.
"That'll be our mentality. It'll be 60 minutes of playmaking. Just like last time that he made some plays, we made some plays. We better make more if we want this game to unfold in a manner which we desire.
"Certainly, they're a motivated group trying to play their way into this tournament. But certainly, we're a motivated group to be quite honest with you.
"We've got to get the stench of the last few performances off of us. There's no better way to do that than a home divisional win versus a formidable group going into the tournament. That's our mentality as we stand here today."
A healthy squad: The Steelers head into this week a team on the upswing on the injury front, something that has Tomlin feeling good as there is still a lot on the line this week.
"From a health standpoint, it looks like we're moving in the right direction, which is a good thing," said Tomlin. "Last game we had some significant people coming back in DeShon Elliott and George Pickens, to name a couple, (also) Donte Jackson. This week it looks like Joey Porter is scheduled to make it back along with Ben Skowronek.
"Getting a healthy outfit, particularly as you get toward the end of the season and lean in on a single elimination tournament, is big business for us. We're excited about the issues of dividing the labor up and having a full stable at our disposal in an effort to formulate plans and make plays.
"It's going to be needed, quite honestly, because Cincinnati is red hot."
Quarterback Justin Fields, who missed time with an abdominal injury, is expected to be back this week. Two players who are dealing with injuries still are Cory Trice Jr. and Jaylen Warren, but Tomlin sounded optimistic about both.
"Just in-game wear and tear, bumps and bruises associated with play that may limit them at the early portions of the week, but not going to be significant in terms of their availability," said Tomlin. "Cory Trice might be limited in the early portions of the week but expect him to be available. Same thing could be said for Jaylen Warren and some other guys that are managing some bumps and bruises."
The players had a three-day weekend following the Wednesday game, one that was just what the doctor ordered.
"To come off of a long weekend like we had, it's been a benefit to us," said Tomlin. "Guys that needed rest, have gotten rest. Guys that have needed rehabilitation, have gotten that. And so, we're excited about starting our physical work tomorrow."
