Steelers among NFL’s best 2nd-half teams both offensively and defensively

To borrow parlance from coach Mike Tomlin, there is nothing mystical about the degree of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ typical halftime strategy sessions.

“We just go over some stuff, notes-wise,” outside linebacker Alex Highsmith said, “and when there’s adjustments we are trying to make we try to look at what they are beating us with. We just try to lock in on a few things and stuff like that.”

Whatever the Steelers are doing at halftime, though, seems to be working. By the most important (and basic) metric, they are the NFL’s best in the second half.

The Steelers lead the league in second-half scoring defense and are second in second-half scoring offense. A 24-0 second-half effort against the New York Jets last week punctuated a season-long trend of the Steelers dominating in the third and fourth quarters all season.

Through seven games this season, the Steelers (5-2) have outscored opponents 104-36 in the second halves of games. The Steelers have been outscored in the second half only once this season — the Broncos had six points and the Steelers three during a Week 2 win in Denver.

Tight end Pat Freiermuth offered two explanations for the Steelers’ proficiency after halftime.

“I think we are able to adjust on the fly, get to halftime, talk together on what we are seeing and what we are trying to do, what we are trying to attack in the second half,” Freiermuth said. “And then the second thing is I think we are just able to build momentum going into halftime. I think we’ve scored points every single time going into halftime. (Last week) the defense was able to make a helluva a play (a Beanie Bishop interception) to set us up for a touchdown before the half. We have been able to grab the momentum and keep it.”

The Steelers have scored in the final minute of the first half five times in seven games this season.