Why do the Steelers not feel like winners at 8-0?

The Steelers may have a spotless record, but here’s why they don’t feel like winners through the halfway point of the season.

Under normal circumstances, a team being undefeated halfway through the NFL season would result in little to no criticism or doubt from those who have watched them work. Once you throw in the fact that this is the Pittsburgh Steelers we’re talking about, viewers are left even more convinced that this run is the real deal. I mean, it is the Steelers after all. Winning is what they do.

However, with that greatness comes hatred, and now those that are up to their necks in denial have come out of the shadows to spew their negativity onto Pittsburgh and their success. With wins over quality foes such as the then-undefeated Titans and the divisional rival Ravens, Steelers fans had grounds to shrug off the skepticism, citing the opponents’ talent and performance as reasons for any sign of a struggle.

But now, the Steel City’s excuses have greatly worn thin, as the Steelers had yet another comeback victory this last Sunday, this time against the 2-6 Cowboys in Dallas. What is the reasoning? What justifies such a narrow escape? It certainly isn’t that the Cowboys are good, so this issue clearly falls on Pittsburgh. But what exactly could it be?

Why are the Steelers struggling?

One thing is for certain, and that is that it is not the defense. The star-studded defensive line and secondary have made multiple headlines solely for how dominant they all have been throughout this 2020 season thus far. So with that in mind, let’s check on the offense. The offensive line has seemingly improved to a noteworthy degree, as just watching the games from last season doesn’t even look like the same squad that Pittsburgh is rocking with now. Meanwhile, with the emergence of Notre Dame rookie receiver Chase Claypool, and the return of JuJu Smith-Schuster’s reputation as one of Pittsburgh’s top targets, getting the ball down the field should not require much effort.

Fox Sports 1 radio host Colin Cowherd has previously pointed towards Ben Roethlisberger as the reason for most if not all troubles. However, after his record-breaking performance in Dallas, it can’t possibly be him either. Once you throw in his deep backfield headlined by James Conner and Benny Snell, just about everyone on the field is accounted for.

It’s at times such as these where fans must remember that football is a mental sport, as that is the only explanation still untouched. But what is brewing in the Steelers minds that have them so out of wack? Perhaps they are looking ahead to a future opponent, or maybe a potential one for when they make the playoffs? Or could they be letting the hype go to their heads, which is resulting in them merely overlooking the strength of their competition?

Unfortunately, there is no way of knowing. All fans can do is hope that Pittsburgh straightens up, and fast. Because while the toughest stretch of their schedule is over, that does not mean that the rest is some cakewalk. Just ask the Cowboys.