Steelers LB Patrick Queen gives blunt answer to defense's slow starts

The Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1) nearly completed an impressive comeback against the Indianapolis Colts (2-2) in Week 4 after starting the game down 17-0.

The Steelers were ultimately unsuccessful, falling to the Colts 27-24, but it wasn't the first time they have started slow this season. Three out of the first four weeks, they have been in a deficit to begin the game.

Linebacker Patrick Queen knows that must change if Pittsburgh hopes to improve its chances of winning games in the future.

"That's been the message since day one. We always knew that, and this season we haven't been doing that, unfortunately," Queen said. "We've been having a sense of urgency. We've been practicing good. It's just the point of us doing it in the game. Not warming up to it."

It remains to be seen why the Steelers have found it so difficult to translate their urgency from practice to the stadium on Sundays.

However, Queen thinks it's pretty simple.

"We just got to do our job, man up, know the assignment, just see the offense. The offense gives you tells. We just go to know that stuff. It's really a simple game," Queen continued. "You just all got to lock in with a sense of urgency, do what we do. Nobody needs to go out there and try to be Superman."

Pittsburgh's schedule won't get any easier in Week 5 when it hosts the Cowboys (2-2) on "Sunday Night Football."

Dallas is averaging the fourth-most passing yards per game (255.5) in the NFL through four weeks, so it won't be surprising if it allows three-time Pro Bowl quarterback Dak Prescott to sling it early and often.

Queen knows it will be essential to minimize his impact.

"Limit him," he stated. "They got good stuff they do. They got stuff they don't do so well. So we gotta make them do what they don't do so well."

The Cowboys have struggled to run the football, averaging the fewest rushing yards per game (75.3) in the league.

The Steelers will do everything they can to force Dallas to try to win by running the football.

Still, all that means nothing if Pittsburgh starts slow once again. Queen will do his best to ensure that doesn't happen in primetime.

"Sunday Night Football. The whole world watching. The moments that everybody build for growing up," Queen concluded. "So you got the whole world watching. What you gonna do about it?"