Mike Tomlin breaks down Steelers' remedy for slow starts in games

Remember this Steelers moment? Quarterback Kenny Pickett threw a 72-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Austin with about six minutes to go before half. The score came against the Raiders on the road at Allegiant Stadium.

So what’s so unusual about the play (other than the fact it turned into a huge yardage one)? It happened Sept. 25. And it’s the last time the Steelers scored a touchdown in a first half. Now, that’s a bizarre stat. Pittsburgh has played three games since then, including two for wins. But they still haven’t shaken their slow starts, even in their victories. The team has scored six total points — two field goals — in the fiirst half of their two straight victories.

Coach Mike Tomlin had a simple request for his team and then explained to the media for his weekly press conference.

“We just need to do routine things routinely at the early stages of games,” Tomlin told reporters.

Sounds simple, doesn’t it? But obviously it’s not a simple request for the Steelers offense. Instead, the 4-2 Steelers are winning games because of late drama from Kenny Pickett and company.

The stats allow you to see the either/or of the situation. According to Steelers.com. Pickett is completing 56.2 percent of his passes with a touchdown and three interceptions in the first quarters of the six Pittsburgh games. His passer rating is 45.8 in the first quarters. Now, contrast that with the fourth quarters, when Pickett knows the stakes. That’s why in the fourth quarters this season. Pickett is completing 73 percent of his passes. He’s got 374 yards, with a touchdown and a pick. His QB rating is 102.8.

Should the Steelers script plays to start games?

With a game against the Jaguars this Sunday, fans have pondered rather there should be scripted plays to start the game. If those are planned, it’s time to junk them.

“We’re not completely married to the script,” Tomlin said. “Because some things are sight unseen, like some of the third-down things that the Rams defense was doing in the first half, for example. So there’s a script we’re not completely married to it. …

“Sometimes it’s information gathering.” Tomlin said. “Sometimes it’s personnel exchanges, to see how they match personnel or logistically how they deal with personnel exchanges, who’s matching up with who, what are good matchups. What are they doing versus certain approaches to football. And so there are many agendas that you’re trying to get done in the early stages of the game from a scripting perspective.”