Punturi Panic Meter: Steelers Reaching Boiling Point

Some losses sting more than others, and for the Pittsburgh Steelers, their Week 4 defeat at the hands of the Cleveland Browns was just that.

Any AFC North loss is a difficult blow, but the Steelers were exposed in Week 4. Their flaws in the secondary were exploited repeatedly. Their offensive line's struggles were exacerbated by the Cleveland defensive front. Their aging quarterback never looked older.

Is it time to panic in Pittsburgh? Thankfully, the Punturi Panic Meter is a foolproof scale for measuring dread. Graded on a spectrum from 1 to 10, this is how different Steelers positions and roles grade as they prepare for a Week 5 battle against the Indianapolis Colts.

Ownership: 9.1

The Steelers are no longer the organization that created the standard for the NFL, and the majority of that falls on current ownership. The same old tired ways have brought this team nowhere since their 2011 Super Bowl loss to the Green Bay Packers.

If things don't get on track soon, there is seemingly no one left to blame.

GM: 8.6

Omar Khan was supposed to be the voice of reason, not a puppet for ownership. A cap guru who could make any extension work and a prime talent evalutor, he's now traded two bonafide talents for day two draft picks and failed to adequately replace them.

The clock is ticking on Omar Khan.

Wide Receiver: 7.6

No position is more worrisome in Pittsburgh than wide receiver. DK Metcalf finally had a 100-yard game on Thursday Night Football, but was that a breakout performance or a one-off? Behind him, veteran Michael Pittman Jr. and quarterback Aaron Rodgers aren't on the same page. Roman Wilson is the team's most reliable pass-catcher, but comes with a few mistakes that directly hurt the Steelers' cause. Rookie Germie Bernard can't find his way into meaningful snaps, despite playing well when he is given opportunities.

Special Teams: 7.45

What's going on with kicker Chris Boswell? The veteran is one of the best in Steelers history, but he's off to a poor start.

Boswell has the track record to suggest he will bounce back, but that can't be said for the rest of the special teams unit. Kick and punt returns are nonexistent, and they are giving up too many yards on kick-offs. Rookie Kaden Wetjen looks outmatched, despite being brought in specifically to be a playmaker on punt and kick returns.

Coaching: 7.0

Head coach Mike McCarthy said his team needed to clean up their own house, which is 100% true. But to admit that they needed a day of self-reflection heading into Week 5 doesn't send the brightest message. His offensive game plans have worked well once out of four tries so far. Meanwhile, the defense has struggled the past two contests, putting more pressure on defensive coordinator Patrick Graham.