If I had told you the Steelers would create three takeaways and block a field goal against the Dallas Cowboys, you would have thought this would be more than enough to secure a Week 5 win against an opponent decimated by injuries. It was not.
Though Mike Tomlin's team won the turnover battle, their pass defense was gashed for 336 yards through the air while giving up 109 yards on the ground. Offensively, poor performances and execution with a conservative game plan capped this unit to 17 points in the loss.
Pittsburgh has now dropped two straight games, and the signs of life they showed early in the season are dead. Now there's an even bigger reason to be concerned about this team moving forward.
Nick Herbig injury could spell doom for the 2024 Steelers
After being one of the only impressive players on either side of the ball for the Steelers in Week 5, edge rusher Nick Herbig exited the game in the second half with a hamstring injury. While a hamstring ailment isn't the end of the world, Pittsburgh couldn't afford an injury to one of the only remaining players who could get pressure on the quarterback.
Last week, Alex Highsmith left the game with a hamstring injury and his timetable to return is uncertain. Herbig was in noticeable pain when he went down with the injury against the Cowboys, and the severity of the injury will determine how much time he could miss.
In the meantime, T.J. Watt will be getting no assistance from his counterpart on the opposite edge. Watt, who already leads the NFL in pass rush chip percentage, could find himself garnering even more attention moving forward.
To make matters worse, DeMarvin Leal, the team's fourth edge rusher, left the contest with a stinger and did not return.
The only healthy edge rusher outside of Watt at the moment is Jeremiah Moon, who just played his first game since landing on IR with a designation to return. If the Steelers are forced to go any length of time without the combination of Herbig and Highsmith, this defense will pay the price.
Every opponent will know how much attention Watt requires and, without anyone to take advantage of single-blocks on the other side, the defense could be in for disaster.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a team that can't put up points, and there are obvious holes in their passing game when the pressure doesn't get to the opposing quarterback in a hurry. We could be in for an ugly stretch of games until their edge rushers are back at full strength.