The Steelers are looking for more consistency in all phases as they prepare to take on the Patriots.
As they work toward that end, timing is everything.
Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith cited a couple of third downs that weren't converted, in particular, as critical to dictating how last Sunday's 31-17 loss to Seattle ultimately played out, including a third-and-2 from the Steelers' 36-yard line on the first possession of the third quarter.
The Steelers were leading, 14-7, at the time.
"At worst if you can get a field goal on that drive you're up 10 points," Smith said. "That changes the dynamic going back the other way. We don't get anything. Then it becomes 14-14 and we lose out on any points with the tip-pick."
The "tip-pick" occurred on third-and-goal from the Seattle 4 on the possession that followed the Seahawks' game-tying touchdown.
Those were just two plays out of 59 offensive snaps, but they turned out to be particularly impactful.
"Those are the moments in the games that changes the whole dynamic," Smith continued. "You can get a two-score lead in the second half, that's the thing, you gotta make those plays."
Also falling into the "gotta make those plays" category are a couple of blitzes that almost got home but didn't.
The first resulted in the game-opening touchdown, a 21-yard pass from Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold to wide receiver Tory Horton on which Darnold was hit by inside linebacker Patrick Queen just after releasing the ball.
On the second, Darnold spun out of the pocket away from Queen and was able to find tight end AJ Barner for 19 yards on third-and-9 from the Seattle 28 in the fourth quarter. That extended a drive that ended with a touchdown and a 31-17 Seahawks lead.
"'Almost' gets them first downs," defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said. "I did think some of the execution of our pressures up front were really good. We got what we wanted. We were able to get in and get some hits on the quarterback. Our rush and coverage, all that stuff has to work together. Right now we're just a little bit off in that area.
"If we're having the good stunts and we're working the good movement up front then our coverage has to be tighter on the back end. And sometimes the coverage is really tight and it gives those guys up front a little chance to get home.
"I just don't think right now we're working on all cylinders, really putting it all together consistently enough to be really good right now."
What's amiss is considered fixable, both coordinators maintained.
"A lot of it comes down to really the simple things, when you're off here or there, whether it's in the pass game or running the football," Smith said.
Added Austin: "A lot of stuff that we talk about, and I talked about specifically with our guys, is we have to make sure we don't get beat before the ball's ever snapped. What I mean by that is, if you don't make the right call, if you line up incorrectly you're gonna be in the wrong spot once the ball's snapped and you give the offense an opportunity to be more successful.
"So that's really been an emphasis in terms of, 'Let's stop beating ourselves and make those guys really beat us.'"
