The Pittsburgh Steelers say they have put last week's loss behind them. They really have no choice because the competition is getting tougher this week.

The Steelers (4-2) host the Green Bay Packers (4-1-1) on Sunday night at Acrisure Stadium. The Steelers lead the AFC North, and the Packers are in first place in the NFC North.

Facing the Packers, the Steelers' defense will need to be better than it was last Thursday in a 33-31 loss to the Bengals in Cincinnati. Joe Flacco passed for 342 yards and the Bengals added 142 rushing yards for a total of 484 yards.

The Steelers have the highest-paid defense in the NFL. Yet it ranks 31st in the league against the pass, 17 against the run and 18th in scoring.

Inside linebacker Patrick Queen believed there is any easy fix to the defense and that for the unit to play better.

"It's the NFL," Queen said of the Steelers giving up a season high in total yards against the Bengals. "Sometimes it happens, even though you don't want it to. Sometimes it's ugly. At the end of the day, they get paid to play. Their coaches get paid to coach. We just have to make the plays.

"We have to go out there and execute better and try not to let those things happen. When the moment is there, make the play. Whatever it is, the opportunity, us as a whole, being better. From the small details, whatever it may be, just be better."

The Steeler have not forced a turnover in the last two games, including a win over the Cleveland Browns. Now the Steelers face the Packers, who are just 15th in the league in total offense but are eighth in scoring. Green Bay has scored at least 27 points in five of its six games.

Queen understands the Xs and Os that go into game planning. Yet he thinks the Steelers need to be better mentally.

"Everyone just honing in, doing their job," Queen said. "Regardless of what the play call is. Regardless of who you are going against. When you think of a professional, it's them doing their job with excellence. It's really simple. You just do your job the best you can."