Super Bowl winners having a rough time at 2-5

Last season, they had only eight turnovers during the eight-game winning streak that carried them through the Super Bowl. They have seven in their last two games. And, with a chance to tie Oakland as the clock wound down, they couldn't score on four plays after having a first-and-goal at the 1, a situation once made for the now-retired Bettis.

Willie Parker, a 1,200-yard rusher last season, had 11 runs of 1 yard or fewer against the Raiders, who were allowing nearly 133 yards per game on the ground.

They also seem to be missing Bettis' calming influence, though some players dismiss that. Last week they drew their second excessive celebration penalty of the season, after Cowher said it wouldn't happen again. And they had consecutive unsportsmanlike conduct penalties against Oakland, a once unheard of breakdown in discipline by a Cowher-coached team.

Farrior's explanation?

"You can't call it one way."

LeBeau's take?

"We can't have that."

The offensive line that has been so steady in recent years looked like a patched together bunch of rookies and free agents against the Raiders. One of the most reliable components, center Jeff Hartings, will be out indefinitely will a knee injury, and running back Verron Haynes and linebacker Arnold Harrison expect to miss the rest of the season with knee injuries that also occurred Sunday.

Still, the Steelers have the time and enough division games left to salvage a season that has been remarkable only for how poorly they have played. They're learning quickly that being Super Bowl champions has its liabilities when every team is looking to add a victory over them to its resume.

"We need that ledger to move our way a little bit more," LeBeau said. "I know things will be better for this team."