While players got a few additional days off to rest and heal up for the December stretch run, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and his staff spent the weekend after playing in Cleveland last Thursday night doing some self-scouting.
Two of the areas with which the Steelers are concerned the most involve the red zone, both offensively and defensively.
After going 1 for 2 in red zone offensive trips in the 24-19 loss to the Browns that dropped them to 8-3, the Steelers are now converting trips inside the opposing 20 at a rate of just 44.7 percent, which ranks 30th in the NFL.
Meanwhile, the defense, which ranks 11th in the NFL for the season in red zone scoring allowed at 51.2 percent, has been less than efficient in recent weeks, giving up a touchdown 88.9 percent of the time to opponents when they get inside the 20.
Taking steps to correct those two issues is a high priority for the Steelers as they prepare to travel to Cincinnati (4-7) Sunday.
"That's why we're excited about getting back to work today and the application component," Tomlin said. "Identification is just one component. Application is probably more significant in terms of what are we going to do to rectify it, both in schematics and with manpower?"
The red zone offense has gotten plenty of attention, as the Steelers have scored a touchdown on 17 of 38 trips inside the opposing 20. And it hasn't mattered much who has been at quarterback.
The Steelers were 9 of 18 inside the 20 in Justin Fields' six starts. They're 8 of 20 with Russell Wilson in his five starts.
But their 38 red zone trips nearly match the output they had for the entire 2023 season, when they were 20 of 42. They also had just 19 passing plays of 30 or more yards in 2023. They already have 19 such plays this season.
The offense is moving the ball better and getting more chunk plays than it did a year ago. But it has to do a better job of performing when it gets inside the opposing 20.
Looking at all things involved – personnel, scheme and play calling – are all factors.
"When you're not getting the desired result, it's always a combination of all of the above," Tomlin said. "I think if it was really simple and in one area, we wouldn't be having this discussion. There were multiple components to the discussion certainly."
Defensively, the Steelers have been too good this season to allow their past three opponents to score touchdowns on eight-of-nine red zone trips, even though they have won two of those games.
That certainly got Tomlin's attention, which was why it was something the staff took a hard look at the results.
"Usually it's pointed and specific on areas that we identified that need improvement, like red zone offense, red zone defense in recent weeks," Tomlin said.
Highsmith close to return: Tomlin said outside linebacker Alex Highsmith, who has missed the past two games with an ankle injury, could be in line to return this week against the Bengals.
"We'll let his participation in the quality of that participation be our guide in terms of whether he gets back in or to what degree he gets back in," said Tomlin.
Highsmith said earlier in the day that he was able to do some straight-line running at the team's practice on Tuesday, but said what he's able to do Thursday and Friday of this week will determine his availability.
The Steelers are just 2-3 without Highsmith in the lineup this season, but are 6-0 when he plays.
Meanwhile, two players who are currently on the Reserve/Injured List could also be available this week.
Cornerback Cory Trice, who has been practicing the past two weeks, could be back this week on the active roster. The Steelers opened the 21-day practice window for Trice on Nov. 14.
Defensive tackle Montravius Adams, who has missed the past four games with a sprained knee, could have his practice window opened this week.
"We'll leave the door open for those guys," Tomlin said. "There's strength in numbers and we need all the expertise that we can get as the road gets narrow and this competition gets thick as we move into December."
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Fourth-down conversions: The Steelers converted just one of three fourth-down attempts in the loss to the Browns and are now seven of 14 on such plays this season.
But Tomlin said he's not going to shy away from trying to maintain possession of the football in those instances.
Noting that hindsight is 20-20, however, Tomlin said there is always room to second-guess those decisions when they fail.
"We're going to be aggressive in terms of the pursuit of victory," Tomlin said. "So most of the time, I'm comfortable with the decision to go, and it's more focused on what we're doing schematically or the quality of that execution."
Jaylen Warren was stopped short of the line to gain on one of those instances, while Fields got dropped for a loss on a quarterback run on another. Wilson converted the Steelers' final fourth-down attempt on a pass to tight end Pat Freiermuth.
Fields played seven offensive snaps against Cleveland as a change-up to Wilson. Tomlin said that package is still part of the team's plans.
"It's a component of what we do. I've been pretty clear about that," Tomlin said. "Once Justin got healthy, he's a viable and capable dude, and it's something that our opponents have to be aware of. When we use it and how much we utilize it will be dependent on plans week to week."
