The old adage that it's not how you start, it's how you finish most certainly applies to football.
But there's no question the Steelers would like to get off to better starts offensively in games than they have in the past couple of games.
While the Steelers haven't scored a touchdown on an opening possession all season, they have scored six times, getting six field goals on their initial drive. They also missed a field goal on another, meaning that on over half of their opening possessions this season, they've moved the ball well enough to get into scoring range.
Starting fast this week could be critical when the Steelers (10-4) travel to Baltimore to face the Ravens (9-5) on Saturday.
With a division title at stake this week with a victory, the Steelers would like to knock the second thing on their seasonal checklist off by beating Baltimore. But that could be easier said than done on the road if they get off to a slow start.
Baltimore is traditionally a fast-starting team and has outscored its opponents 204-138 in the first halves of games this season. Given that the Ravens also boast the league's top rushing offense, falling behind is not something that holds much appeal.
"We've got to start faster," said offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. "We've done a lot of different things. Some games we have and then we have to settle for a field goal.
Some games, (we) can't get that thing cranked up quite yet, and when you do, you start rolling. … It's a week-to-week challenge. We're always looking. But any time we snap that ball, you know, you're looking to maximize that play; other than when you're in victory formation or in four-minute trying to milk the clock and not score a touchdown."
Creating that momentum earlier is something the Steelers want to accomplish in their final three regular season games before they get to the playoffs.
Having some moving parts involved offensively hasn't helped.
Early in the season, the Steelers started five different offensive line combinations and had four different players make their first career start on their line. They also were playing with backup quarterback Justin Fields over their first six games with Russell Wilson nursing a calf strain. And the past two games have been played without top wide receiver George Pickens.
But the Steelers and Smith aren't into making excuses. It's a results-oriented business.
"Then those are games within the games all over the place," Smith said. "Certainly, it probably changes (the defense's) calls and schematically, and that's your job. Nobody cares. Nobody's feeling sorry for the other side. And you've got to have a mindset that nobody's coming to rescue you. You want your best players out there, and when they're not what are you going to do about it?
"And I think sometimes people fall into that victimhood, complaining and whining. That ball is kicking off on Saturday, and we've got to go win. And so we've got to be better."
Head coach Mike Tomlin often refers to not wanting players to warm up to being in a game. But there is an initial feeling-out period in every game that does take place.
Weathering the storm early and figuring out how an opponent is attacking offensively or defensively is part of that process.
Quarterback Russell Wilson also seems to get better as the game progresses.
• Dale Lolley is co-host of "SNR Drive" on Steelers Nation Radio. Subscribe to the podcast here: Apple Podcast | iHeart Podcast Pittonline@iheartmedia.com
Wilson has thrown just two touchdown passes with a passer rating of 77.4 in the first quarter in his eight starts this season. But he gets progressively better as the game goes on. His passer rating in the second quarter is 102.5, while it's 121.0 with seven touchdown passes and two interceptions in the second halves of games.
Wilson doesn't begin to press, even when things aren't going well early in a game.
"A lot of times it goes back to fundamentals and what we're doing and how we're doing it," Wilson said. "Every game has a history of its own, and that's just the reality. We've done a really good job, especially in the second half of capitalizing on opportunities. I think we've got to do that throughout the game. That's always the goal.
"But if it doesn't happen, it doesn't mean the game's over. And so I think that's the key part to the great game. And the great thing about football, and the game of football, is you can start hot and not finish strong either. So I think the key part is just playing one play at a time and make that play great. Just play this play and do this one really great. I think that allows you to focus on the moment."
