The Pittsburgh Steelers fell to, 35-25 loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 8. It was a game that got off to a promising start but ultimately disintegrated in the second half, and after the game, head coach Mike Tomlin didn’t hold back in assessing the defeat.

Shortly after the final whistle, Tomlin was asked about a referee’s call that stirred debate in the third quarter. The Steelers head coach responded, “I thought it was an error, but you can’t get it back. Explanations mean very little.”

He admitted the referee made a mistake but didn’t let it become the main issue. Instead, he pointed to the team’s poor performance after halftime as the real problem.

The Steelers led 16-7 at halftime and looked firmly in control. But after the break, the Packers flipped the script, scoring 28 points in the second half to snatch the game.

Momentum shifted early in the third quarter when a Packers defender appeared to jump offsides before the snap on third down. Aaron Rodgers’ pass fell incomplete, but no flag was thrown. The officials briefly discussed it and let the play stand.

Pittsburgh had to punt, and Green Bay responded with a nine-play, 90-yard touchdown drive. From that point on, the Steelers’ offense stalled, their defense struggled, and the Packers never looked back.

Tensions rose midway through the third quarter when a fight broke out on special teams after another Steelers punt, adding to the frustration over officiating. Though the scuffle was quickly settled, it reflected the bigger issue: a team losing its grip as the Packers stayed calm and took control.

Once things settled down, the focus shifted to what really went wrong, and Tomlin didn’t avoid the tough questions.

Mike Tomlin on Steelers’ loss

When asked where things went wrong, Tomlin didn’t hesitate to take ownership. “We just have to be better, and it starts with the position we’re putting guys in,” he said. For the veteran coach, it wasn’t just about one game; it was about consistency.

The numbers were grim: Jordan Love completed 20 consecutive passes with ease, and tight end Tucker Kraft set a record for the most yards after catch by a tight end in the past eight years.

For a franchise built on defensive toughness, the trend has been sobering. The Steelers have surrendered 30 or more points in four of their first seven games this season. Something that hasn’t happened in Pittsburgh since 2003, when Bill Cowher’s team finished 6-10.

Eighteen seasons into Tomlin’s tenure, his defense is facing one of its most challenging stretches. Missed assignments, poor tackling, and a lack of pass rush have repeatedly cost them games.

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Tomlin has taken responsibility, but the road ahead won’t be easy, especially for a unit historically tasked with setting the tone.

Sunday’s defeat pushed Pittsburgh further into unfamiliar territory, raising concerns about both performance and discipline. While Tomlin’s remarks on officiating were diplomatic and measured, his tone made one thing clear: the Steelers’ problems are internal.