It's something that Steelers fans are maybe most fearful of, the dreaded trap game, but head coach Mike Tomlin doesn't believe in the concept in the NFL.
While the Steelers ultimately handily defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 36-10, their only other comfortable win was against the Cleveland Browns, beating them 38-7, their other games have had smaller winning margins.
At the time they played them, the Titans and Ravens were considered some of the tougher opponents on their schedule with the Steelers winning by 3 points and 4 points respectively.
Other games where the Steelers were heavily favored thought were more nail-biters and gave Steeler Nation some extra gray hairs.
The Steelers have beaten three of the four NFC East teams they've faced so far this season but had trouble with Philadelphia before ultimately beating the Eagles by 9 thanks to a 4 TD performance from WR Chase Claypool.
The Dallas game was a little more concerning, with the Steelers coming from behind to beat practice squad quarterback Garrett Gilbert and the Cowboys 24-19.
But while the Steelers have scraped by teams they were heavily favored, Tomlin says that this is the NFL and everyone in it is a professional athlete.
"We are not a Big Ten team playing a MAC opponent this week, every time we step into a stadium we're playing professionals, player and coaches and we got a ridiculous level of respect for that," said Tomlin.
While Tomlin said during his Tuesday press conference that the trap game is a concoction of the media, in years past, the Steelers have had let down games against Tampa Bay and Jacksonville for example.
And the Jaguars are the Steelers next opponent. At 1-8 Jacksonville is a team that is struggling but Tomlin said that record doesn't matter.
"We understand what we're going into Jacksonville, that that's a group that's trying to kick our butt, a professional group, a capable group and we're preparing with that understanding," said Tomlin.
The Steelers are going into Jacksonville as a 10.5 favorite.
