Ben Roethlisberger believes Steelers offense isn't 'that far off'

Ben Roethlisberger was forced to answer questions about his offense for the second-straight week. The Pittsburgh Steelers have lost two-straight, and once again, the offense was lackluster, out of sync and only posted 10 points in an important divisional game that they could have won.

Roethlisberger met with the media on Wednesday and took ownership. Still, Big Ben isn’t hitting the panic button and believes the Steelers aren’t far from meshing on a consistent basis to help produce wins.

“I think there’s not this one big glaring thing,” Roethlisberger said, via Teresa Varley of the team’s website. “It’s just a little thing here, a little thing there, which I think is why we can be encouraged as an offense that it’s not that far off.

“We’re a group that is close I believe. We’re a group that has to believe in each other, which I think we do. And we’re a group that is not going to panic.”

The Steelers are currently 25th in total offense and 28th in points scored. The club is 32nd in rushing, which is likely not a formula for winning with an aging quarterback. Roethlisberger has completed 64 percent of his passes for 801 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions. He’s also been sacked eight times.

Ben Roethlisberger blames himself for slow starts

The Bengals took a 7-0 lead heading into the second quarter on Sunday and the Pittsburgh signal caller believes starting slow has been a major detriment to finding offensive success.

“I know the coaches are doing a great job of scripting things, whether it’s screens or getting the ball out,” Ben Roethlisberger said. Plays you really like. As an offense we need to start faster, but it starts with me. I need to get better with that because that’s kind of the key to a successful day, starting fast.”

The longtime veteran signal caller actually said slow starts have been an issue for him going back to his college career at Miami of Ohio.

“Traditionally, I’ve never really been a fast kind of start guy,” said Roethlisberger. “My college coach, Coach (Terry) Hoeppner, used to say the same thing. He would say we have to get you started faster in practices and games. I need to start faster.

Roethlisberger said he doesn’t know why he starts slow, but that he needs to change it now.

“I wish I knew,” said Roethlisberger. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had coach tell me those things, but I just got to be better. I don’t want to say we need to start fast. We do. But it starts with the guy who has the ball in his hands.”

The Steelers will have a tough test to rebound with the Packers on deck, but the Green Bay defense hasn’t been the team’s strong suit. Pittsburgh fans will hope this is the week Big Ben and company turn it around.