Something is clearly wrong for one of the most consistent NFL franchises of the last 15 years. That much is true after an improbable 35-30 loss to the Dallas Cowboys meant four straight losses for the once-proud Pittsburgh Steelers.
Star quarterback Ben Roethlisberger isn’t afraid to lend his voice to the reasons behind his team’s struggles as of late.
It’s all about a lack of disciplined play and accountability for the team as a whole, according to Big Ben.
“We are undisciplined and not accountable,” Roethlisberger said from his locker. “That’s why (the Cowboys) are one of the best in the business and we’re not right now.”
When asked how the team got to that point, Roethlisberger said, “I don’t know. Is it players? Is it coaches? I don’t know, but we need to get there quick.”
It’s a pretty easy thing to notice considering how the Steelers lost this game — allowing Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott to score two touchdowns in the final two minutes of the game by going untouched right up the middle of the Steelers defense.
Roethlisberger did his part, completing 37-of-46 passes for 408 yards and three touchdowns. That included a sweet fake-spike to touchdown throw in the final minute of the game, giving his Steelers a 30-29 lead only to see it evaporate after another touchdown run by an untouched Elliott.
The veteran quarterback wasn’t the only person with his assessment of the Steelers losing streak. In fact, head coach Mike Tomlin echoed his quarterback’s views.
Tomlin said the Steelers didn’t have “enough discipline and detail in our play” to pull off the win, according to ESPN.
Running back Le’Veon Bell also noted that disciplined play needs to be a hallmark of this team if it is going to finally get a win.
“We obviously are making costly mistakes, and they hurt us,” Bell said. “We need some more detail, and we’re going to keep falling short until we get that.”
[ESPN]
