PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Steelers offense continues to show alarming signs. Even though the Steelers led late in the fourth quarter on Sunday night, this offense needs some serious soul-searching. The defense? Not much better. In the second half, Pittsburgh allowed over 400 total yards and nearly five yards per carry.

Pittsburgh doesn’t have the firepower to play from the back. Due to peripheral injuries and miscommunication in the secondary, the Steelers also don’t have the firepower to compete without some schematic innovation on the defensive side of the football.

George Pickens played the third-most snaps of any wide receiver on the team. Both Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin III passed Pittsburgh’s star receivers. Could it be due to his controversial eye problem? Secure. Or was there another reason? Who knows?

But the Steelers’ struggle to get him the ball on planned plays is significant. On the offensive side of the ball, the lack of “simplicity” in the Steelers offense, be it schematic or personnel, is shocking and striking. The team can’t do the basic things on both sides of the ball.

For two weeks in a row, the Steelers have had multiple busts on Cover 2, especially on third down. That has caused their third down percentage on defense to skyrocket. Dallas was 9 of 14 on third down. This is unacceptable to the Steelers, who should be proud to walk off the field in such situations.

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There are personnel issues and neither offense has played particularly well. But insisting on certain things, like running throws with Najee Harris, is ridiculous. Throughout the year, there were repeated false starts on offense that set them back. All that was missing was one more botched snapshot.

On both sides of the football, the team cannot feel comfortable in this game. They forced three turnovers and found their footing thanks to Dallas’ sloppiness that matched theirs. But the overall team process is worrisome. Despite an extremely winning game, they fell behind to 3-2.

In order to charge the crime, significant changes to their schematic and personnel decisions will be required in the future. On defense, the plans need to get better and they desperately need Cam Sutton back on the field.

Pittsburgh needs to find a middle ground for its chaos. It is not possible to give up defense and a running game every year. Even in the NFL in 2024, where overall passing has dropped significantly, the Steelers need a consistent passing game and schemes that challenge the opposing team on both sides of the football.

That doesn’t sound like a solution for the season. Somehow the Steelers could get to 9-8 like they do every year. That probably happens in some way, and maybe that’s how they get to the playoffs.

But this team is far too similar to previous teams. Even if they manage to make the playoffs, the Steelers probably won’t raise their level beyond that. And that is worrying.