Not making enough plays: It wasn't the outcome the Steelers were hoping for by a longshot, falling to the Cleveland Browns, 13-6, and missing an opportunity to secure the AFC North title.
It will now all come down to next week's game against the Baltimore Ravens at Acrisure Stadium, with the winner taking it all.
"Tough, hard fought AFC North matchup," said Coach Mike Tomlin. "We certainly didn't make enough plays today and they did. You got to compliment those guys on an outstanding winning effort.
"It's back to work for us. We've been here before and so certainly we've got a big week ahead of us in this big game at Acrisure next weekend."
The Steelers didn't take advantage of opportunities that were in front of them, and as Tomlin said didn't make enough plays.
"I didn't think we played poorly," said Tomlin. "We just didn't make enough plays. I thought they played well. I thought the game was kind of unfolding in the way that you would anticipate.
"But we never made that signature play that kind of got us over the hump. That generally is the deciding factor in games like this. And we generally make them. We didn't make them.
"They had a lot to do with it. They made some plays. And I'm never one not to compliment worthy opponents. And certainly, they made plays today."
The Steelers lost a key weapon on offense in game when tight end Darnell Washington suffered a broken arm, and that coupled with receivers Calvin Austin III (hamstring) and DK Metcalf (suspended) both missing the game, it left the Steelers short.
But missing players wasn't used as an excuse.
"We get challenged with the attrition component all the time," said Tomlin. "We make no excuses regarding that. We've got capable men.
"We adapt, adjust, and we keep moving.
"We've got options. Attrition is a component of it. We adapt and keep moving. We make no excuses about what we do or what we don't do, particularly as it pertains to who's available and who's not.
"We've certainly got capable men. And we expect those guys to make necessary plays. And we certainly didn't make enough today."
Full confidence: The Steelers were facing the NFL's second ranked defense, and top defense against the pass on Sunday in the Cleveland Browns, and weren't able to overcome an early 10-0 deficit to pull out a late win.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers completed 21 of 39 passes for 168 yards and no touchdowns, while the offense was 3-for-15 on third down, and 0-for-3 on fourth down.
"They've got a good defense," said Rodgers. "We didn't execute very well on third downs. I didn't have a very good game. We didn't run the ball early like we wanted to. Pretty bad on third down."
The offense was without tight end Darnell Washington for a good portion of the game after he suffered a broken arm, and the team was also without receivers Calvin Austin III (hamstring) and DK Metcalf (suspended).
"Those are three impact players for us, but got a lot of confidence in the guys that fill those roles," said Rodgers.
The loss set the stage for a massive AFC North game against the Baltimore Ravens next week, with the AFC North title on the line.
And they have to bounce back quickly to be ready for it.
"Win or lose, that's what you do," said Rodgers. "You move on to the next game.
"I have full confidence we'll go home and win next week.
"We've done it all season. We've handled diversity well. When we had to play our best ball we did, other than today."
Winner takes it all: While the Steelers didn't seize the opportunity that was in front of them on Sunday to take control of the AFC North, they still have another shot next week against the Baltimore Ravens.
And defensive tackle Cameron Heyward knows they have to bring it all this week.
"We had our opportunities, offense, defense, special teams," said Heyward. "We had some clear opportunities, but swallow that pill. Go home. Bring on Baltimore.
"The competitor in me is we lost this game. We lost a chance to clinch it today. But the competitor in me is, bring it on. Baltimore's coming in. Winner takes all. I have a lot of respect for those guys over there.
"Let's win it at home."
Heyward said it shouldn't take anything to get guys motivated for this week's game against the Ravens, because the winner does in fact take it all – AFC North champs.
"It's for everything this week," said Heyward. "You don't have to look around. You don't have to wait for somebody else to play. It brings you back to the high school ball where everything is riding on every single game.
"If you're a competitor and you understand this rivalry between Baltimore, it's what you want."
The Steelers defeated the Ravens in their first meeting this season, 27-22, in Week 14.
This is a completely different week though, and despite coming off the loss to the Browns, Heyward isn't worried about what the team will bring to the table.
"We've had momentum, one game doesn't get us off that train," said Heyward. "We've been playing good ball of late. There are still things we can hang our hat on, stopping the run, turnovers, controlling the ball when we did on offense and giving yourself a shot late. That's all you ask for.
"Momentum is one thing, playing good ball is another thing.
"We control our destiny. We don't have to look around. Week 18, ball's in our home court. I expect our guys to be locked in, ready for this opportunity."
