It’s easy to feel frustrated after the Pittsburgh Steelers’ loss this past Sunday, but let’s not overreact. Yes, it was a game we all felt we should have won, but at the end of the day, it’s just one loss. This is the NFL, where every team is full of professionals, and truly, any team can win on any given Sunday. Only one team in the history of the league has gone undefeated, so let’s keep some perspective. The Steelers are still a good football team with an elite defense, and there’s no reason to hit the panic button just yet.

Now, is it possible for this season to take a turn for the worse if issues aren’t corrected? Absolutely. This league doesn’t wait for anyone, and teams that don’t adapt quickly find themselves in a hole that’s hard to climb out of. But let’s not lose sight of the fact that it’s still very early in the season. There’s plenty of time to right the ship, and it starts with a big game on Sunday night against the Dallas Cowboys. A win there would have Steelers Nation feeling confident again, and for good reason—getting back in the win column against a tough opponent is exactly what this team needs to get back on track. In a prime time game like this, where emotions run high and the stakes are even higher, a win would make all feel right in the world again.

Looking back at the loss, the Steelers’ defense had their worst outing of the season. They had been one of the best units in the league, giving up just 8.7 points per game before Sunday, but then they allowed 27 points. However, this was more about mental errors and missed opportunities than a complete breakdown. The defense had chances to create splash and turn the ball over on multiple occasions but failed to capitalize. These aren’t typical mistakes for this group. I’m confident the defense we saw over the first three weeks is much closer to the norm than what we witnessed last weekend.

There’s also a lot of youth on this defense, which is worth keeping in mind. Players like Beanie Bishop (an undrafted rookie free agent), Joey Porter Jr., and Payton Wilson are still finding their way in the NFL. They’re talented, but young players make mistakes, and that’s something we have to accept as they gain experience. Also, newcomer Patrick Queen has been wearing the green dot, making all the calls for the defense. This is a new position for Queen as he wasn’t talked with that role in Baltimore; I believe he will adjust and get more comfortable as the season goes. The long-term benefits will be worth it, even if we have to endure some growing pains in the short term.

Injuries are another factor that’s impacting this team, and maybe my biggest concern. Losing James Daniels for the season with an Achilles injury has thinned out the offensive line significantly. On Sunday, we were down to our third and fourth-string guards, and it showed. Since training camp, we knew this offensive line would need time to gel, and Sunday’s game was a reminder of that. Added to the offensive line injuries, the Steelers are hurting at running back with Cordarrelle Patterson and Jaylen Warren dealing with their own issues. On a positive note, it seems that Issac Seumalo should be making his much needed return sooner than later. His presence can being some calm to an unstable offensive line. The offense is young, and there are going to be rough moments. But those moments are part of the growing process, and it’s something we’ll need to be patient with as the season progresses.

Despite the loss, there were still bright spots, particularly Justin Fields’ performance. He had his best game as a Steeler, throwing for 312 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for 55 yards and two more touchdowns (the first player in Steelers history to throw for 300+ yards, rush for 50+ yards and rush for 2 touchdowns. Fields has been improving each week, and it’s clear that the coaches are growing more confident in his abilities. If he can continue to develop, this offense will be in a much better place as the season goes on.

At the end of the day, it’s important to remember that it’s just one loss. The Steelers still have everything in front of them, still lead the division, and with a win on Sunday night against the Cowboys, all will feel right again. A victory would bring back the confidence that Steeler Nation needs, and the season will once again be headed in the right direction. There’s no need to panic—this team has what it takes to turn things around and make a playoff push.

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Stay Blessed and Stay Positive… “Here We Go”