The Steelers aren't happy opening the season 0-1, and while they aren't hitting the panic button, getting back on the winning track is a key this week against the New York Jets.
"There is (a sense of urgency) because of the simple fact that you want to win every time you're out there, not because 0-2 is the end of the world," said wide receiver Mike Wallace. "I think it's more that we always want to win because that's what type of team we are.
"We're not a losing team. We don't take losing well. We have to go out there and respond because that's the way we are and that's the way we're built."
The 2011 season began with a 35-7 loss against the Baltimore Ravens, but the Steelers bounced back the next week at home against the Seattle Seahawks with a 24-0 win. The players are working toward that type of turnaround this week.
"Every week the mindset is to go out there and win, not start the season bad," said linebacker LaMarr Woodley. "So far we are 0-1. The plan is not to go 0-2."
The Steelers have not started off a season 0-2 since 2002, when they finished the year 9-5-1, making the playoffs and defeating Cleveland in the wild card round and then losing to Tennessee the following week.
"The Super Bowl was not won or lost last week and probably isn't won or lost this week," said quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. "It makes it a little bit harder with every loss but we're just going to come out, play good football, and keep trying to get better."
Jets Coach Rex Ryan hasn't said yet if cornerback Darrelle Revis, who didn't practice Wednesday, will play on Sunday after suffering a mild concussion against the Buffalo Bills. One thing is for sure, the Steelers will still prepare for the all-everything cornerback and they like the challenge he brings.
"It always brings out the best in you," said Wallace. "When you go against a guy like that, you can't take any plays off, not that you would anyway. You know you have to bring it every single play or else it is going to be an interception going the other way, just like what happened in their game last week.
"He's jumping routes. He's a great player. When you watch film you can just tell because he's always everywhere he needs to be at the right time."
Revis is the type of player many offenses game plan around to keep the ball away from him, but Wallace doesn't see the Steelers changing the way they play based on one guy and he knows they will have to throw his way at some point.
"We're going to play our offense regardless," said Wallace. "He's a great player. He's probably the best in the league at what he does. I don't feel like he's going to change what we do out there. We're just going to go out there and play our game.
"We've got good players. You have to respect him, though. You can't think he's a guy you're going to throw at all the time. You have to really be on your game because he's the best. At the same time, we have some good players. We've just got to play our game."
Playing their game has changed a bit, though, from what Wallace sees from Todd Haley's offense so far, with the running game getting more attention.
"We run the ball a lot more with Coach Haley than we did before," said Wallace. "The splits are just different. We used to run a lot of bunch formations but we don't really do that too much anymore, or not a lot in the first game anyway. It's just two different guys and two whole different game plans.
"It's cool. Hopefully, we can just get more wins. As long as we can get more wins, I'm good."
Wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery spent seven seasons with the New York Jets, but now is preparing to go against his former team, something he said is a bit strange.
"I'm used to starting my week off every week when we start taking our notes on opposing defenses, I write the team's name, the opponent's name that we're playing, at the top of my page," said Cotchery. "This week I was writing down the Jets, it is a little weird. We're just looking forward to getting back out there after the loss on Sunday and getting back out on the field."
