The Steelers lost to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, 26-7, and Coach Mike Tomlin didn't beat around the bush afterwards.
"Not a lot needs to be said," said Tomlin. "That's an awful performance by us. But it's us.
"We didn't do a lot well, obviously. We didn't possess the ball or maintain ball security on offense. We were highly penalized. We allowed those guys to run the ball.
"Didn't play 60 minutes of action. Didn't play complementary football.
"So, we've got to absorb that result. We're certainly not going to feel sorry for ourselves. That's just the business we're in."
The Steelers went into halftime with a 7-3 lead, but in the second half it was all Buffalo, scoring 23 points.
"Not putting together 60 minutes of action," said Tomlin of not producing in the second half. "Certainly, there are tangible things, things that you and I both see, but we'd better look at it and look at it hard because there's usually something beneath the surface that's producing that, particularly in the consistency with which it is occurring.
"The third quarter was awful. It was awful last week. So, we've got to absorb the responsibility of that.
"We didn't play a good half of football. We turned the ball over, didn't produce scores, and there's nothing mystical about that. It's about the same as last week."
The offense was able to manage only 58 yards on the ground, while getting beat on time of possession, 41:59 to 18:01.
"We've got to win possession downs," said Tomlin. "We've got to maintain possession of it. We can't turn the ball over. It will produce more snaps for us.
"If we do that, we'll probably have more than 58."
While the loss is one the team has to deal with, there is still time to turn things around. The Steelers play at Baltimore this week, with an opportunity to move into first place in the AFC North, and with three of the last five games in the division.
"I'm not big picture-oriented tonight," said Tomlin after the game. "Certainly, we understand where we are and the opportunity that's in front of us from a divisional standpoint, that's very secondary as we sit here tonight.
"We had a poor performance, and that's where our energy is and should be in terms of the analysis of this."
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Quarterback Aaron Rodgers also didn't mince words following Sunday's loss to the Bills.
"We just didn't have a lot of positive plays," said Rodgers. "I felt good enough to be out there, just not ready to take a snap and hopefully next week for that.
"Disappointed in my performance. Disappointed in the offensive performance. We've got to flush this one. We're 6-6. We've got a game for the division lead this week."
As a leader, and offensive captain, Rodgers said there are things he can do to help with the process.
"There are a lot of things," said Rodgers. "We had some extra film sessions this week. We had an extra walk-through Saturday night. I thought the preparation, like I said, was better. But the practice wasn't as good as I thought it was.
"That doesn't mean you have a bad performance, but the execution today just wasn't good enough."
Despite the 6-6 record, the Steelers still have an opportunity to take the lead in the AFC North this week with a win over the Ravens.
"We control our destiny. We've got to win," said Rodgers. "We've got three division games. Two of them are against Baltimore next week and the last week of the season.
"It's a tough place to play. I've played there before during Covid season. They've got a great fan base. It will be loud and rocking.
"We've got to bring the right mindset."
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Linebacker T.J. Watt knows it wasn't the defensive performance they anticipated.
Bills running back James Cook carried the ball 32 times for 144 yards, while the Bills ran for 249 yards on the day.
"When you're not making plays, it (stinks)," said Watt. "We need to find ways to be able to make plays. I've never seen a team run the same play as much as they ran it and have as much success as they have. I'm out of words for it.
"We knew that No. 4 (Cook) was a heck of a runner. I think the No. 1 or No. 2 rushing offense in the National Football League. We knew he likes to bounce outside, knew he was an elite running back.
"Weren't able to stop it."
Watt, one of the team's defensive captains, was asked what he needs to do to help the team improve.
"Have tough conversations, but we've been having tough conversations," said Watt. "So, it's finding a way to just play better, try to get everybody else, looking at myself in the mirror as well, trying to play better.
"We need to figure something out because clearly what's been going on hasn't been working effectively. To not be able to stack wins in the National Football League is not a winning formula."
Watt said everyone needs to look at themselves as they move forward to fight for a playoff spot in the final five games.
"We just need to look within," said Watt. "We talk about the talent we have. We talk about everything we have, but right now we don't have a kick (butt) defensive group, and that's all I can speak on."
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