Peter Diana, Post-Gazette The Steelers were able to recover this fumble by Hines Ward, but turnovers have been a problem all season. Click photo for larger image.

ATLANTA -- Judging a football team by the company it keeps would have the Steelers sleeping with the fishes these days.

What do the defending Super Bowl champs have in common with the Raiders, Bills, Browns, Lions and Cardinals, besides poor records? They are the six bottom feeders of the NFL when it comes to turnovers, and the link between turnovers and losing long has been established.

The Steelers lost three fumbles Sunday, all of which led to Atlanta touchdowns in the Falcons' 41-38 overtime victory. That gives them 14 turnovers in six games. Only the Raiders (1-5) with 20 and the Browns (1-5) with 17 have lost the football more often after six games. The other three swimming at the bottom of the NFL are the Cardinals (1-6) with 16, the Lions (1-6) with 15 and the Bills (2-5) with 14.

The Steelers' total does not count the onside kick the Falcons recovered Sunday after it touched Tyrone Carter's hands. The fumbles were lost by Santonio Holmes on a punt return, Willie Parker on a run and a center snap that went awry between Jeff Hartings and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, one of two fumbled snaps.

All but the onside kick, which the Falcons recovered at their 49, occurred deep in Steelers territory.

"We left the defense in some bad situations out there," guard Alan Faneca said. "You're already going against a high-powered offense. With Michael Vick and all the things he brings to their offense, now you give them the ball a couple of times in the red zone! It's not as tough to score when you get the ball starting off right there."

Turnovers cost the Steelers at least two of their four losses -- to Cincinnati and Atlanta.

"We shouldn't have been in that situation," Parker said of the overtime loss. "I'm part of the cause, I fumbled. I have to get better at what I do."

The Steelers are on pace to lose 37 turnovers this season. They lost just 23 last season, 21 in 2004. Their seven lost fumbles in six games are two fewer than their total in 2005, one fewer than in 2004.

Bill Cowher long ago linked turnovers to the success of a team, emphasizing the point as soon as he became the Steelers' coach in 1992. He put it near the top of the list, right after scoring points.

The Steelers are 2-0 this season when their opponent turns the ball over more often than they do, 0-4 vice versa.

Into Cowher's 15th season as their coach, the Steelers are 98-11 when their opponent loses the ball more often in a game than they do, 22-57-1 vice versa.

It's one of the most telling statistics for any football team. It's why the Steelers lost two games in which they outgained their opponents. That includes the game Sunday when they piled up 473 yards to Atlanta's 399.

"It kind of hurt us to play so well and come away with a loss," receiver Nate Washington said.

Said linebacker Clark Haggans, "They capitalized on mistakes and you can look at that any way you want to."

Tough spot

The Steelers' defense had the Falcons right where they wanted them with a third-and-9 on the Atlanta 45 in overtime Sunday.

The Steelers called a blitz and strong safety Troy Polamalu flew into the backfield. Vick rolled to his left and shook him off, putting free safety Ryan Clark in an impossible spot.

Warrick Dunn was in the flat, tight end Alge Crumpler released off his block and Vick was flashing into the open. Does Clark cover Dunn? Stick with Crumpler, or come up on Vick?

"Dang if I do, dang if I don't," Clark explained.

He made a move up, toward Vick, who flipped the ball over his head to Crumpler for 26 yards.

"I thought, at least make him throw and make a break on it, and maybe I could break it up and make a tackle. I was just in a bad position and he made a good play," Clark said.

Big passing day

The Steelers have not kept a record of their top team passing games, but it's likely Sunday's performance ranks among their most prolific.

The team's record for most net yards passing in a game was set in 1958, when the Steelers compiled 472 against the Chicago Cardinals. That day, Bobby Layne threw for 409 yards, gross, which is No. 2 on the club list.

Tommy Maddox holds the team record for individual passing game with 473 yards, gross, in the 34-34 tie against the Falcons in 2002, which included five full quarters.

Ben Roethlisberger (238) and Charlie Batch (195) combined for 433 yards, gross. The team's net, with minus-15 yards on three sacks, was 418 yards.

Quick hits

Roethlisberger had the most productive half of his career with personal highs of 15 completions (tied), 235 yards and three touchdowns. ... Santonio Holmes hit highs in his young pro career with five receptions and 91 yards, as was Nate Washington's 76 receiving yards. ... Sean Morey caught the second pass of his career and it also was the longest, 14 yards.