Pittsburgh, PA – November 5, 2025
After a thrilling victory over the Indianapolis Colts — a game that saw the Steelers’ defense force six turnovers and record five sacks — Pittsburgh fans finally had reason to breathe again. But while the city celebrated, one familiar voice of reason broke through the noise.
Ben Roethlisberger, the legendary quarterback who defined a generation of Steelers football, didn’t mince words on his Footbahlin’ podcast. His question was simple — but it cut deep:
“Can we win without getting a ton of turnovers?”
It’s a question that goes straight to the heart of Pittsburgh’s identity in 2025.
The Steelers’ defense has long thrived on chaos — interceptions, strip-sacks, and game-changing plays. But that formula, while explosive, can also be fragile. As Roethlisberger pointed out, when the defense doesn’t produce takeaways, the entire team tends to crumble.
Against the Colts, the plan worked to perfection. But history tells another story. Games like the Seahawks and Bengals matchups — where the defense failed to create turnovers — ended in defeat. The pattern is clear: when Pittsburgh doesn’t steal possessions, it often loses control of games.
Still, Roethlisberger wasn’t attacking the team — he was challenging its balance. He knows better than anyone that a championship-caliber squad needs more than flash; it needs stability.
Mike Tomlin’s defense has always taken pride in being opportunistic, and the Steelers’ “takeaway culture” remains one of the league’s most feared. Yet, as Roethlisberger subtly warned, the Steelers can’t rely on miracles every Sunday.
The truth hurts — and that’s why it matters. Pittsburgh’s defense can still be dominant without forcing turnovers, as seen in their grind-it-out battle with the Browns earlier this season. But to truly contend, they’ll need consistency, not just chaos.
As the second half of the season looms, the message from one of the franchise’s greatest voices couldn’t be clearer:
turnovers can win you games — but discipline wins championships.
