PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers cant explain it exactly. Theyre not much into excuses either.Yet theres no denying the offense that runs so smoothly at Heinz Field looks decidedly less potent when forced to hop a plane, sleep in a hotel and dress in the visitors locker room. Save for a season-opening romp in Washington more than two months ago, the Steelers (4-5) have been more Pinto than Porsche on the road.The team that expects to average 30 points a game this season has mustered just 32 combined over 12 largely comatose quarters in Philadelphia , Miami and Baltimore . While a reprieve would seem to await in Cleveland (0-10) on Sunday, Pittsburgh is taking nothing for granted. After the way it sleepwalked against the Ravens in a 21-14 loss two weeks ago, it cant afford to. Pittsburgh didnt cross midfield until well into the second half and didnt score into what amounted to garbage time.It was miserable, guard David DeCastro said. Ive never been a part of something like that like, `What are we gonna do? Its not like we were getting manhandled where youre `Alright, theyre better than us. It was frustrating.While offensive coordinator Todd Haley pointed to Ben Roethlisbergers rustiness coming back from left knee surgery as part of the problem in Baltimore -- leading to a limited playbook designed to protect the franchise quarterback -- as part of the issue, it wasnt the only one. The Steelers couldnt run either, mustering just 36 yards on 18 carries, creating a snowball effect that led to numerous third-and-long situations and ultimately, a season-high 10 punts by Jordan Berry.Pittsburgh is converting just 31 percent of its third downs during its three-game road slide, compared to a 42 percent conversion rate at home, where the Steelers also average 28.8 points. The disparity is jarring.You know, we go on the road and its obviously a lot louder, Roethlisberger said. And you have to use the silent count and that means `head bob, gun or under center. So just some kind of timing could be off a little bit ... We pride ourselves in years past here being a great road football team. And we need to do that. Were going to have to start this week.Thats typically not a problem for Roethlisberger in Cleveland, where hes lost just twice in 11 career starts. Overall, though, the gap between his effectiveness at home and on the road is widening. During Haleys four-plus seasons calling the plays, Roethlisberger is 15-18 with 45 touchdowns and 31 interceptions away from Heinz Field. Compare that to a 24-9 mark with 82 touchdowns and 23 picks when he wakes up on game day a short drive from the Terrible Towel twirling masses.There are numerous other variables at play, including a defense thats not exactly lights out anymore and one forced to go the rest of the season without defensive end Cam Heyward , who is out with a pectoral injury.That puts the onus on the offense to carry even more of the load. Its one the Steelers have looked perfectly capable of bearing at times, though not nearly enough during a four-game losing streak thats sucked all the momentum out of a 4-1 start.Its not anything the opposing team is doing or the crowd. We just havent performed well, running back LeVeon Bell said. Dropping balls, penalties, whatever it may be. I just think weve got to get better.Haley often likes to turn to the no-huddle when the offense is in need of a jump start, though opportunities have been limited at best recently. While Pittsburgh did score 14 points in the fourth quarter against the Ravens, DeCastro allows it was basically garbage time with Baltimore up three touchdowns.Youve got to mix it up if somethings not working, DeCastro said. But I thought we had a good plan. It wasnt getting the job done maybe ... switch it up sooner and give us a chance.Maybe, but Pittsburghs defensive limitations mean the offense probably needs to control the ball instead of pushing the pace. With four of their next five on the road, the Steelers know they need to score -- fast, slow or in between -- if they want to chase down the Ravens in the so-so AFC North.We have a very high standard coming into this year, Haley said. At times weve been close to what were trying to get, other times we havent. We need to eliminate the (bad) habits.Game notes C Maurkice Pouncey (finger), WR Sammie Coates (finger), TE Ladarius Green (finger), TE Xavier Grimble (quadriceps) practiced Thursday. ... S Jordan Dangerfield (groin) was limited. ... WR Markus Wheaton (shoulder) was out.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL. Mexico Jerseys .C. United of Major League Soccer. United chose the defender in the second round of the 2013 MLS re-entry draft. Miguel Layun Jersey . -- Patrick Reed got an early start in golf. http://www.soccermexicojerseysteamstore.com/jose-de-jesus-corona-mexico-jersey/ .05 million next season unless Graham and the Saints subsequently agree on a long-term deal. The designation was released Monday after the deadline passed for NFL teams to use franchise or transition tags on players becoming free agents. Jesus Molina Jersey . Cuban testified Thursday that he was upset when the companys CEO told him news that would reduce the value of his shares, for which hed paid $7.5 million. But he said he did nothing improper when he sold those shares over the next two days. Guillermo Ochoa Jersey . LOUIS -- Valtteri Filppula assisted on three of Tampa Bays four goals, and the Lightning beat the St. SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Notre Dame is in danger of going from bad to historically bad.Each week the Fighting Irish are finding different ways to lose. The defense started the season unable to hold most opponents to fewer than 30 points. Special teams have made big plays but have given up bigger plays. Now the offense is struggling so badly that DeShone Kizer, listed in some mock NFL drafts as the No. 1 pick, was yanked against Stanford after throwing two interceptions to start the second half in a 17-10 loss Saturday.Just snapping the ball has suddenly become a challenge for the Irish as center Sam Mustipher had three bad attempts in remnants of a hurricane against North Carolina State and two more in dry conditions against Stanford, including one that sailed past backup quarterback Malik Zaire for a safety.The offense, which was averaging 39.8 points through the first five games, has one touchdown and two field goals the past two games. Coach Brian Kelly said Kizer is not the only reason the offense is struggling.This is collectively and entire offensive issue. Its not just one thing, he said Sunday.A problem all season long has been the offense going stagnant for long periods. Texas scored 17 unanswered points in the opener. Michigan State scored 36 straight points. Duke scored 21 in a row. Stanford outscored the Irish 17-0 in the second half.We look good the first couple of drives, then we stall out, Kelly said.The Irish are 2-5 heading into an off week, one of the worst starts in 128 seasons of playing football at Notre Dame.Three timmes Notre Dame has started seasons 1-6 -- in 1956, 1960 and 2007.dddddddddddd The first two teams finished 2-8, while the 2007 squad under Charlie Weis finished 3-9. Three other teams started seasons 2-5 -- in 1963, 1997 and 2003. The only team to finish with a winning record was the 1997 one that won its final five regular-season games before losing to LSU in the Independence Bowl.The difference between worst Notre Dame teams and this years team is the margin of losses. All the other Irish squads that started 2-5 or worse were blown out of games. This years team hasnt lost by more than eight and has outscored opponents 202-177.To be 2-5 and to outscore your opponents has got to be one of the craziest stats in America, Kelly said.Irish players say they still believe they can turn things around. The captains spoke in support of Kelly last week, saying the team was solidly behind him. But Kelly was asked Sunday about the Twitter account for defensive lineman Jerry Tillery, who is from Shreveport, Louisiana, liking three tweets saying former LSU coach Les Miles should be the next coach at Notre Dame.I dont make much of it, Kelly said. Jerrys been a committed player. Ive got a great relationship with Jerry. So I havent seen anything from him, nor has he said anything to me that hes not committed to playing here at Notre Dame and for me, for that matter.---APs college football website: www.collegefootball.ap.org ' ' '