The 2-1 Pittsburgh Steelers are still the favorite to win the AFC North, but that doesn't mean the team is satisfied with their start, particularly with their offense underperforming despite all of the talent they have on that side of the ball.
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger brought up the issue following the team’s 24-17 overtime upset loss at the hands of the Chicago Bears last Sunday, and the first thing he wants to be changed is his own performance. That’s what he told a group of reporters, including Jeremy Fowler of ESPN ,when asked what’s needed to be done for the Steelers’ offense to get out of the mud.
“The quarterback needs to play better,” he said.
Despite having elite weapons on offense, the Steelers are lagging behind in plenty of offensive categories. They are 16th in scoring offense (21.3 points per game) and are only 22nd in total offense (302.3 total yards per contest). The passing attack’s production hasn’t been up to par either, with Roethlisberger and his weapons generating only 233.3 yards in the air per week.
The loss to the Bears was the one that sparked Big Ben into criticizing his own play.
“I didn't play well enough to win. We lost the game because of me, because I didn't play well enough,” Roethlisberger said. “It's not on anyone else. That's how I felt, that's what you've got to do is you've got to own it. And I'll own it.
Roethlisberger went just 22 of 39 for 235 yards and a touchdown. He hasn’t passed for more than 263 yards in any of the last three Steelers games this season. Perhaps increased targets to receivers not named Antonio Brown would do the trick for the Steelers. Brown leads the team with 36 targets – 18 more than anyone on the team – and receptions, with 26 for 354 receiving yards.
Roethlisberger can begin working on that as soon as this Sunday when the Steelers square off with the rival Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Follow Us
Subscribe
