PITTSBURGH -- Cameron Heyward knows where this dreary season is headed if the Pittsburgh Steelers don't make the proper corrections.

"If we don't, there's no reason why we'll win the next game," the All-Pro defensive end said before Sunday's matchup with the Atlanta Falcons. "To beat good teams in this league, you have to be able to make corrections."

Vaulting from a 1-2-1 start to contention will be an arduous task for the Steelers, who must improve in virtually every area.

Running the ball or getting stops on defense is a major issue. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has had brilliant moments but two bad games. The Steelers lead the league in penalties (42) by a wide margin. Philadelphia is second, with 35.

Overall, the team efficiency rating is an AFC North-worst 47.5, and the ESPN Football Power Index projects the Steelers to win 7.3 games this season, 10th in the AFC.

Running back Le'Veon Bell plans to return for Week 8 against the Browns, which should provide a spark. In the meantime, here's a blueprint for reaching the bye with three wins:

Tripping out of the gate

The Steelers get a home game this week, which used to be great news. But they can't step onto Heinz Field lately without gift-wrapping points for the opponent.

Coach Mike Tomlin just gave what he called a "quarterly report" to his team, assessing where they stand and where to go next, and no doubt that 56-0 deficit to start the past three home games came up, not so subtly.

"We can't spot people points in the National Football League," Tomlin said.

Intensity isn't the issue. Bad tackling, communication breakdowns, penalties and turnovers are.

Center Maurkice Pouncey figures the offense could try a few new plays for early first downs, but mauling defensive linemen usually does the job.

"It's a group that keeps fighting," Pouncey said. "Everyone in here is very, very positive."

No balance

The Steelers opened the season pounding the run in Cleveland but have been facing second-and-long situations since.

Their 2.8 yards per rush in Weeks 2-4 is the lowest clip in the NFL. Games largely hinge on Roethlisberger's arm. The Steelers are dropping back on 73 percent of their offensive snaps, tied for second-highest in the NFL.

James Conner has acquitted himself in Pittsburgh. Tomlin calls his performance through four weeks "solid" all around, and he has been better than advertised in the passing game. He's on pace for 72 catches.

But multiple players have acknowledged that the offense is too predictable when the running game isn't rolling, and something must change.

"When we find [success], we can build off that and keep growing, but right now, we're one-dimensional," tight end Jesse James said. "Most of our runs this week were out of the gun. We've just got to start coming downhill, I think. We'll figure it out. We always do at some point."

Don't expect the Steelers to throw back to 2004, but some I-formation work with two or three tight ends and fullback Roosevelt Nix could be in order.

Left tackle Alejandro Villanueva admitted that pass-blocking on most downs is a challenge, but he's confident that the line can get Conner going.

"You don't call enough runs, and not being efficient in the runs, as an offensive line, we're not doing everything we're supposed to do. It does add that personal value that we let [Conner] down," Villanueva said.

Alarming trends on D

The defense is in bad shape when giving up 26 points and holding the Ravens to four punts is considered progress.

Seven NFL teams are averaging at least 28 points per game through four weeks, and three of them have faced the Steelers. The defense's 1,682 yards and 12 touchdown passes allowed are franchise worsts through four games, according to Elias Sports Bureau.

To be sure, defenses across the league are giving up serious yards and points, which Tomlin calls a byproduct of rule changes such as tighter roughing the passer calls.

But Heyward has a grocery list of necessary improvements, and here goes:

• Pass rush and coverage must work together.

• If the rush doesn't get there, "get hands up, with a better push."

• The secondary "has to make some plays," keeping leverage inside on man coverage.

• In the running game, stay in your gaps, and stop trying too hard to make plays.

"This defense isn't about making plays. It's about doing your job," Heyward said. "That's for everybody out there. That's one guy."

Then Heyward added a kicker.

"I'm gonna make sure we get it all fixed," he said. "The kitchen is hot right now, and everybody's looking to get out."