Maurkice Pouncey Says Steelers Need to Stop 'BS-ing Around' After Raiders Loss

Pittsburgh Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey knows the time for fun and games is over.

On the heels of Sunday's disappointing 24-21 loss to the 3-10 Oakland Raiders, Pouncey told Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that the Steelers need to get their act together: "We have to go out and play our hardest, go out there and execute at a high level. I'm pretty sure everybody knows we're here to play football now. We have to stop BS-ing around."

Despite Sunday's loss, the Steelers hold a half-game lead over the Baltimore Ravens for first place in the AFC North at 7-5-1.

Pittsburgh is on a three-game losing streak, but each game has been decided by seven or fewer points.

In the 24-17 loss to the Denver Broncos on Nov. 25, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw an interception in the end zone on the Steelers' last drive. Pittsburgh fell 33-30 to the Los Angeles Chargers on a last-second field goal, and kicker Chris Boswell slipped as he attempted a game-tying field goal as time expired against Oakland.

Pittsburgh was helped out Sunday by the fact that the Kansas City Chiefs came from behind to beat the Ravens 27-24 in overtime.

Although the Steelers do have a slight lead over Baltimore, the schedule appears to be in the Ravens' favor down the stretch.

This week, Pittsburgh will host a New England Patriots team that is coming off a shocking, last-second loss to the Miami Dolphins. The Steelers then face the New Orleans Saints on the road and close the regular season with a home game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Ravens will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this week, face the Chargers on the road the following week and then take on the Cleveland Browns in Week 17 at home.

The Steelers aren't guaranteed to make the playoffs if they lose the division since the Dolphins, Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans are nipping at their heels for a wild-card berth at 7-6.

Pittsburgh has not missed the playoffs since 2013, but Pouncey is well-aware that the streak is in jeopardy if the team doesn't turn things around quickly.