Ben Roethlisberger: Steelers need to 'look in the mirror'

Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers have lost their last three games.

For the third-straight week, the Steelers quarterback has taken accountability when it comes to the team getting back on track. After Sunday’s 27-17 loss to the Green Bay Packers, Roethlisberger explained the challenge that lies ahead.

“What a challenge for us,” Roethlisberger said. “I think this is going to test us all. We need to look in the mirror and figure out what path we want to take.”

Though the quarterback typically takes the brunt of criticism when NFL teams struggle, Roethlisberger wasn’t the only issue on Sunday.

Surprisingly, the Steelers defense, a unit that has thrived early in the season, couldn’t get off the field in key situations against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. Green Bay dominated time of possession (34:41) and converted 9-of-15 third-down opportunities.

“We had opportunities to get off sooner on defense,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. “We didn’t win enough third downs. We had a splash play on special teams to no avail. We’ll keep working and working in all three phases.”

Ben Roethlisberger starts fast

After the Bengals loss, the Steelers quarterback believed the offense needed to start faster.

“I know the coaches are doing a great job of scripting things, whether it’s screens or getting the ball out,” 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.”

In the opening drive vs. the Packers, Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers’ offense answered the call. The Steelers led 7-0 in the first quarter, but everything sputtered after that.

Rodgers erased that early deficit by leading scoring drives on five consecutive possessions to give the Packers a 27-10 lead in the third quarter

Roethlisberger was sacked twice, with one causing a fumble that the Packers turned into the go-ahead touchdown in the second quarter.

“Anytime you turn the ball over, it’s going to be a potential game-changer,” Roethlisberger said.

The Steelers will look to change the narrative when they host a talented Denver Broncos (3-1) team on Sunday.