A fifth loss in their past six games -- 13-10 to Cincinnati on Sunday -- dropped a 2012 Pittsburgh team that was once 6-3 out of the playoffs. It's an unusual position for the Steelers.
Pittsburgh opened the season in full retool with Pro Bowlers Hines Ward, Aaron Smith and James Farrior were gone. Nobody realized how much their leadership would be missed. A steely bunch that regularly won close games, the Steelers’ numbers in 2012 show they haven’t possessed the wherewithal to close out, hold on or come back late. After winning seven of their previous nine games decided by four points or fewer, they’ve lost three of their past four by that margin.
Offense: D
“We should be [in the playoffs] if it wasn’t for me,” Ben Roethlisberger said Sunday. It might be closer to the truth than any criticism of offensive coordinator Todd Haley or the ragamuffin offensive line. True, Haley’s play-calling left the offense in too many third-and-longs and undressed Roethlisberger on third downs, resulting in sacks that twice removed the Steelers from field-goal range. In his three games since his return from a shoulder and rib injury, Roethlisberger has completed just 54.5 percent of his passes for 281 yards per game and thrown four total interceptions -- two that led to game-winning field goals. Previous game's grade: C
Defense: B-
The defense didn’t allow a Bengals' touchdown Sunday, so it’s hard to blame it for the loss. But soft coverage when the Bengals got the ball on Roethlisberger’s interception definately hurt. Cincinnati gained 21 on an Andy Dalton-to-A.J. Green pass, the 18th time Green was targeted Sunday. Granted, CB Ike Taylor (foot) was absent and Keenan Lewis was hobbled, but they needed to make one play to force overtime ... and failed. Previous game’s grade: B-
Special teams: C
It wasn’t a good time for the Steelers’ first bad placement snap of the season, but it happened in time for Suisham to miss a 24-yard gimme -- his first muff after going 26 for 26 this season. Antonio Brown was booed for failing to reach a tough bounce off a Cincinnati P Kevin Huber, punt. Previous game’s grade: D+
Coaching: D
Haley’s play selection and use of his weapons, particularly behind a patchwork offensive line, will remain the subject of some debate. Roethlisberger is a quarterback known for late-game heroics, but he has gone 0 for his past 3 chances. Some of that can be ascribed to coaching, right? Previous game’s grade: D+
Follow Steelers reporter Chuck Finder on Twitter @CBSSteelers and @cfinder.