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Steelers safety Terrell Edmunds pushes Eagles running back Miles Sanders as he runs into the end zone for a touchdown Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
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Steelers defenders say execution — not effort — is biggest problem

Derik Hamilton/Associated Press

Steelers defenders say execution — not effort — is biggest problem

For the second time in four weeks, the Steelers returned to Pittsburgh from a blowout loss in which their opponent set any number of records against them. The score didn’t look all that competitive in a 35-13 rout Sunday in Philadelphia, but defensive players insist it wasn’t a case of the Eagles wanting it more than them, though it certainly looked that way as A.J. Brown made touchdown catch after touchdown catch.

“One hundred percent, the effort’s there,” safety Terrell Edmunds said Monday. “We’re meeting, we’re doing all the [right] things, the coaches are putting us in the best positions. We’ve just got to go out there and make plays now.”

Cornerback James Pierre agreed, though he added that “more is required” in the second half of the season coming out of their off week.

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“Most definitely, the effort was there,” Pierre said. “The effort’s going to always be there as long as you’re a Steeler.”

Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Javon Hargrave sacks Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) during the first half of an NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022, in Philadelphia.
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Indeed, it’s been a difficult stretch for the Steelers. Their past three losses all have been on the road, to teams with a combined record of 18-4. If there’s been any improvement from the team that started 1-3 against a less daunting schedule, it might be tough to tell given the opponents.

Asked if there might be a lack of confidence in the locker room, Edmunds expressed optimism that a 10-day break can help matters.

“I hope not,” he said. “We’re all talking to each other every day, we’re all locked in, we’re all focused, and it’s like ‘Boom.’ We know now, after this bye, we get this little break, we get to breathe, let’s figure out exactly what we need to do to get better.”

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The defense that was supposed to keep the Steelers in games continues to let them slip away before halftime. Clearly, the execution is lacking. But is the effort level where it needs to be?

“To be honest, I don’t know,” said defensive tackle Tyson Alualu, who at 35 is the oldest player on the team. The only longer-tenured Steelers are Cam Heyward and Chris Boswell.

“I don't think I’ve ever questioned people’s effort or wanting to win. I think everybody’s competitive nature, they want to be the best for themselves and this team.”

Alualu has been in the NFL a long time. He’s been on good teams here, bad teams elsewhere, and experienced plenty in between. As he looks around the locker room, he sees a young group, players who are still learning to navigate the ups and downs of the NFL.

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) is stopped by Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay (2) and linebacker T.J. Edwards during the second half of an NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022, in Philadelphia.
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“It’s tough. When you're not winning games, it’s easy to look around and point fingers,” Alualu said. “You never want to think that could be the issue here. We’ve just got to do a better job of making the plays that are there.”

But ensuring that everyone is buying into the message is meaningful, too, according to Alualu. Coach Mike Tomlin has seen just about everything, including a 2-6 start to a season. He’s never had a losing season, he’s engineered turnarounds, and at least one veteran is confident that the culture is still strong despite the on-field results.

“Yeah, I am confident,” Alualu said. “He’s been doing this at a high level for so long. He knows how to get to guys, no matter the generation.”

He better start getting to them soon, on both sides of the ball — and even special teams, where the Steelers were flagged for an illegal formation on a kickoff. It’s little things such as not lining up right for a kickoff that point to how this season is going downhill for the Steelers.

It won’t be a clean slate when they play again in two weeks, but the figurative drawing board better be full of possible solutions. If not, Tomlin’s streak of matching each loss with a win will be in peril.

“He’s locked in. He wants us to win. He wants to win for the team,” Edmunds said of Tomlin. “He’s a competitive guy, so we’re all just out there trying to win. You can see his competitive juices just boiling because we’re 2-6.”

Brian Batko: bbatko@post-gazette.com and Twitter @BrianBatko.

First Published: October 31, 2022, 7:47 p.m.

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