The Pittsburgh Steelers' defense has allowed a significant number of points and yards in the last two games. Compounding matters is that the defense also hasn't made any splash plays.

The Steelers have allowed 68 points and 924 yards combined in losses to the Cincinnati Bengals and Green Bay Packers. The Steelers did not force a turnover in either game and have no takeaways in their last three games.

The lack of big plays bothers Steelers outside linebacker J.T. Watt. Yet the four-time All-Pro is just as concerned about the defense's fundamental breakdowns.

"If you're not seeking splash, you shouldn't be on the football field in my opinion," Watt said. "We are all trying to make plays. At times, I think you can definitely overstress to try to make plays, and it causes you to be out of your gap and things like that.

"We just need to play more gap sound. We need to all trust each other (so) that we're all going to do our job and not try to play superhero football. We've just got to play better. It's plain and simple. There is no excuse for it."

The Steelers have shown the ability to force turnovers this season. The Steelers had 10 takeaways in their first four games before their current drought, including five in a win over the New England Patriots on Sept. 21.

The Steelers (4-3) rank 30th among the 32 NFL teams in total defense and last in passing defense. On Sunday, they host the Indianapolis Colts (7-1), who lead the league in total offense and scoring, at Acrisure Stadium.

Watt says the Steelers have had a good week of practice in preparation to face the Colts. Then again, when is the last time someone has said before a game that their team had a bad week of practice?

"I think there's a way of simplifying things so we can play fast, as fast as possible, and I think we've had a good week of that," Watt said. "We're trying to fix what we have wrong. We have a lot of things that need to be fixed, and we're just trying to chip away at it. Trusting in each other, trusting in the plan. But it's all lip service if we don't go out on Sunday and perform."