Steelers Offense Hits Embarrassing 5-Year Low

   

CLEVELAND — Russell Wilson floated the football over Benjamin St-Juste and into Mike Williams’ hands. That touchdown won the Pittsburgh Steelers their road clash with the Washington Commanders two Sundays ago.

Pittsburgh Steelers WR George Pickens

They haven’t scored a touchdown in the six quarters since.

At halftime of the Steelers’ Thursday night game against the Cleveland Browns, the Browns led 10-3. Almost-automatic kicker Chris Boswell posted the Steelers’ three first-half points with a 48-yard field goal in the second quarter. He pushed an earlier try outside the right upright from 58 yards on the team’s initial possession.

On Cleveland’s side of the field, the Steelers turned the ball over to halt their second march. Backup quarterback Justin Fields was swarmed by seemingly half of the Browns defense on a 4th-and-2 keeper, giving the hosts the ball at their own 40-yard line.

Veteran Steelers signal-caller Russell Wilson coughed up and lost the ball two plays after the Browns embarked on a 12-play, 80-yard drive capped by Nick Chubb’s two-yard surge. Dustin Hopkins added a 34-yard field goal thanks to the turnover.

Boswell accounted for each of the Steelers’ points in their 18-16 home win over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. He made field goals of 52, 57, 27, 50, and two others from 32 yards in that one.

The last time the Steelers went at least six consecutive quarters without crossing the goal line occurred over three games from 2018-19.

Pittsburgh had only a Matthew McCrane field goal in their 2018 finale, then a Boswell field goal was its only score against Tom Brady and New England in the next campaign’s opener. Against Wilson and Seattle the following week, the Steelers were held scoreless in the first quarter. That was also the game in which Ben Roethlisberger suffered a season-ending elbow injury.