Pittsburgh Steelers: 4 keys to a Week 8 win over the Lions

PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 22: JuJu Smith-Schuster
PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 22: JuJu Smith-Schuster
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BALTIMORE, MD – OCTOBER 01: Running back Le’Veon Bell #26 of the Pittsburgh Steelers carries the ball against defensive back Marlon Humphrey #29 and linebacker Tyus Bowser #54 of the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – OCTOBER 01: Running back Le’Veon Bell #26 of the Pittsburgh Steelers carries the ball against defensive back Marlon Humphrey #29 and linebacker Tyus Bowser #54 of the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

Convert on 3rd down

I’m getting tired of writing this one too. This may ultimately be the biggest contributor to the offensive woes, though certainly not the only one. Somehow when the down strikes 3 the Steelers fall apart. No one wants to start hearing good ol’ days talk but time was not long ago when Pittsburgh was so good at getting short yardage in one try they went for 2 at some point almost every game.

Their 3rd down offense is currently sitting at 35.9%, 24th in the league. With the best RB and best WR, plus another wideout who’s nearly 6’5″ (whether he wants to be there or not) and a tight end who’s 6’6″, it’s time to pull it all together. There’s no excuse for any team, let alone one with so much offensive talent, to do so poorly when it counts the most on 3rd down and in the red zone.

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