Patrick Queen Sends Savage Message To Steelers Defense After Week 3 Win

The Pittsburgh Steelers' defense did a little better in Week 3 on the road against the New England Patriots. Their improved performance helped the team secure a 21-14 win, moving the Steelers to 2-1 on the season. While the victory was welcomed, it came with a caveat: the defense was bailed out by five turnovers. Though the Steelers did a commendable job creating those turnovers, many fans worry that relying on such plays involves a significant element of luck and isn’t something that can be consistently depended on.

Despite the takeaways, the Steelers' defense allowed 369 yards of total offense. That’s far too many yards for a unit expected to be among the league’s stronger groups. The performance highlighted lingering issues in both coverage and tackling, showing that while turnovers helped mask some deficiencies, the underlying problems remain. The team’s ability to bend without breaking will need to improve if the Steelers hope to maintain success against tougher opponents later in the season.

Linebacker Patrick Queen, never shy about calling out the defense, didn’t hold back after the game. Speaking with Ray Fittipaldo on Wednesday via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Queen emphasized that while the turnovers were helpful, the unit cannot lean on them as a crutch. His comments reflected a growing urgency within the locker room to tighten up fundamentals and perform consistently, signaling that the unit knows there is still plenty of work to do.

"It should have been a blowout, without a doubt," inside linebacker Patrick Queen said Wednesday morning. "We have to get off the field. No excuses. We’re going to focus on that. We have to be able to get off in those situations."

Hearing Queen come out and directly state that a win in the NFL wasn’t good enough is notable. After all, any win in the league is typically a cause for celebration, even if the team was hypothetically favored by two touchdowns. The NFL is a week-to-week league where any team can pull off a victory, which is why heading on the road to New England and coming away with a win should still be a positive for the Steelers and their fan base. Moving to 2-1 on the season is solid, but the defensive concerns that surfaced during the game remain very much relevant and worrisome.

Steelers fans will also be encouraged to hear that Queen sees the same issues they do. Winning this game by just one score, despite forcing five turnovers, highlights the potential fragility of the defense. The takeaways helped mask some problems, but relying on luck and turnovers is not a sustainable formula. Queen’s candid assessment reinforces the need for the defense to perform consistently, regardless of game-changing plays.

Steelers' Defense Seeking A Dominant Showing In Ireland

In essence, while the victory is meaningful and the team should take confidence from it, Queen’s comments serve as a reminder that there’s still work to be done. The Steelers’ defense may have helped secure the win, but the performance exposed vulnerabilities that cannot be ignored as the season progresses.

This defense is starving to quiet the noise. Five turnovers are great for the stat sheet, but allowing 369 yards of total offense to the Patriots is a cause for concern. The Steelers’ defense will be looking for a dominant showing in Week 4 in Dublin, Ireland. If they can deliver, optimism will start to build, but if they struggle again, the concerns will only grow louder.

Are you confident that Patrick Queen and this defense can have a solid showing in Week 4? Why or why not?