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Steelers GameDay Cheat Sheet is a weekly series featuring a quick glance at the upcoming Steelers game, including odds, records, things to watch for, and how to watch/listen to the game.

Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4) at Baltimore Ravens (9-5)

In Week 15, the Steelers clinched a playoff berth for the fourth time in the past five seasons. The Ravens are coming off a 35-14 win at the New York Giants, their league-leading sixth game with at least 35 points scored this season. In Week 11, Pittsburgh defeated Baltimore, 18-16, as kicker Chris Boswell converted all six of his field goal attempts.

• Pittsburgh linebacker T.J. Watt recorded his 25th career game with at least two sacks last week and became the fifth player with at least 25 such games in his first eight seasons since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Reggie White (33 games) and Richard Dent (25) as well as Jared Allen (28) and Simeon Rice (27).
• Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson completed 21 of 25 pass attempts (84 percent) for 290 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions for a 154.6 passer rating and rushed for 65 yards in the Ravens’ Week 15 win and became the first player in NFL history with five touchdown passes, 50-or-more rushing yards and a completion percentage of 80-or-higher in a regular-season game (Josh Allen reached these marks on Jan. 15, 2022, in the AFC Wild Card round).
• Jackson ranks second in the NFL with 34 touchdown passes this season and became the first player in NFL history with at least 30 touchdown passes and three-or-fewer interceptions (three) in his team’s first 14 games of a season.

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Series History

• All-Time Steelers lead, 36-25
  • Last: Steelers Win, 18-16 (Nov. 17, 2024)
• Home Steelers lead, 21-12
  • Last: Steelers Win, 18-16 (Nov. 17, 2024)
• Away Steelers lead, 14-13
  • Last: Steelers Win, 17-10 (Jan. 6, 2024)
• Playoffs Steelers lead, 3-1
  • Last: Ravens Win, 30-17 (Jan. 3, 2015)

Series Notes

• Saturday’s game will mark the 62nd overall and 58th regular-season meeting between the Steelers and Ravens.
• The last nine meetings between Pittsburgh and Baltimore have been decided by seven points or less, including six by four points or less.
• The Steelers have defeated the Ravens in eight of the last nine meetings, and all eight victories have come by a TD or less, including five by four points or less.
• The Steelers own an 11-game advantage in the overall series (36-25) and a ninegame lead in the regular-season series (33-24).
• Saturday’s game will mark the 29th regular-season meeting between the Steelers and Ravens in Baltimore.
• The Steelers own a two-game advantage in the regular-season series (15-13) in Baltimore.
• Saturday’s game will be the 20th meeting between the two teams in December.
• The Steelers own a three-game lead in the series (11-8) in December.
• Saturday’s game will be the 10th meeting in Baltimore between the two teams in December.
• The Ravens own a one-game lead in the series (5-4) in December in Baltimore.
• Pittsburgh and Baltimore have played 39 games decided by one score or less.
• The 39 one-score games are the most by a single opponent against the Steelers since the start of the 1996 season.

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The Coaches

• Steelers: Mike Tomlin
  • At Franchise: 183-104-2 (18)
  • Overall: 183-104-2 (18)
  • Versus Opponent: 20-15
• Ravens: John Harbaugh
  • At Franchise: 169-104 (17)
  • Overall: 169-104 (17)
  • Versus Opponent: 14-19

Gameday Information

• Date: Saturday, December 21
  Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
• Location: M&T Bank Stadium
  Baltimore, MD
  Capacity 71,008 // Natural Grass
• TV: FOX (Locally WPGH-TV)
  • Kevin Burkhardt (play-by-play)
  • Tom Brady (analysis)
  • Erin Andrews (field reporter)
  • Tom Rinaldi (field reporter)
• Satellite Radio
  • Ravens: Sirius 162, XM/SXM 227, Internet 802
  • Steelers: Sirius 161, XM/SXM 228, Internet 826
• National Radio: Westwood One
  • Scott Graham (play-by-play)
  • Mike Mayock (analysis)
• Local Radio: Steelers Radio Network
  Locally: 102.5 WDVE-FM (Pittsburgh) & 970 WBGG-AM (Pittsburgh)
  (48 affiliates – see below)
  • Rob King (play-by-play)
  • Craig Wolfley (analysis)
  • Max Starks (sideline)
  • Missi Matthews (field reporter)
• Referee: Bill Vinovich
• Vegas: Ravens -6.0 | Over/Under: 44.5

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Steelers-Ravens Pregame Show

Joe and Brian are back with a combo show as they review the fallout from the Pittsburgh Steelers’ loss to the Philadelphia Eagles and look ahead to this Saturday’s matchup with the AFC North on the line against the Baltimore Ravens.

Was the Eagles’ loss closer than what some may believe? And how does that defeat shape the Steelers on a short week with the division on the line against the Ravens?

The hosts discuss this and more, including injuries, officiating, and what Russell Wilson and the Steelers offense must do to win this weekend.

View the video below on YouTube or visit our podcast page to find it on all popular audio platforms.

SCU Steelers News & Notes

• Steelers to watch in rematch with Ravens
• Where the Steelers offense can improve: with or without George Pickens
• Official Injury Report

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Team Rankings

Pittsburgh Steelers 2024 Leaders
Russell Wilson	152/235, 1912 yds, 13 TDs
George Pickens	55 rec, 850 yds, 3 TDs
Najee Harris	229 rush, 891 yds, 5 TDs

Baltimore Ravens 2024 Leaders
Lamar Jackson	275/404, 3580 yds, 34 TDs
Zay Flowers	66 rec, 916 yds, 4 TDs
Derrick Henry	254 rush, 1474 yds, 13 TDs

Team Leaders

	PIT	BAL
Home Record	5-1-0	4-2-0
Away Record	5-3-0	5-3-0
Record vs. Spread	10-4-0	8-6-0
Points Scored/Game	24.0 (10th)	29.9 (3rd)
Points Allowed/Game	18.9 (6th)	23.7 (22nd)
Takeaway Diff.	+18 (1st)	+2 (13th)
Pass Yds/Game	198 (24th)	245 (3rd)
Rush Yds/Game	126 (10th)	178 (2nd)
Def. Pass Yds/Game	222 (22nd)	258 (31st)
Def. Rush Yds/Game	94 (4th)	80 (1st)

Steelers Notes

• STEELERS secured 21st-consecutive season without losing record, tied with 1965-85 Dallas Cowboys for longest streak in NFL history.
• QB RUSSELL WILSON completed 14 of 22 atts. (63.6 pct.) for 128 yards & TD vs. 0 INTs with 94.5 rating last week, 4th-straight game with 90+ rating. Has 0 INTs in 3 of past 4. Passed for 205 yards in Week 11 meeting. Needs 3 TD passes to become 4th player ever with 350+ TD passes in 1st 13 seasons.
• RB NAJEE HARRIS has 50+ scrimmage yards in 13 of 14 games this season. Has rush TD in 2 of past 3. Had 93 scrimmage yards (63 rush, 30 rec.) in Week 11 meeting & has 90+ scrimmage yards in 3 of his past 4 vs. Bal. Needs 109 rush yards to become 4th player since 2000 & 1st since Adrian Peterson (2007-10) with 1,000+ rush yards & 5+ rush TDs in each of 1st 4 seasons.
• RB JAYLEN WARREN has 60+ scrimmage yards in 5 of past 6. Had 68 scrimmage yards (41 rush, 27 rec.) in Week 11 meeting.
• WR GEORGE PICKENS has 70+ rec. yards in 5 of his past 6. Had 8 catches for 89 yards in Week 11 meeting.
• WR CALVIN AUSTIN led team with 5 catches for 65 yards last week.
• TE PAT FREIERMUTH aims for 4th in row with TD catch.
• LB T.J. WATT had 7 tackles, 2 sacks & FF in Week 15, 25th-career game with 2+ sacks, tied with HOFer Richard Dent for 4th-most in 1st 8 seasons since 1982. Has 2 sacks & FF in 2 of past 3. Has 0.5+ sacks in each of his past 11 vs. Bal. & full sack in each of his past 9. Leads NFL with 6 FFs & ranks tied-3rd with 11.5 sacks in 2024.
• LB ALEX HIGHSMITH has 2 TFL & sack in 3 of his past 4, incl. in each of past 2.
• LB PATRICK QUEEN led team with 11 tackles last week, 3rd-straight with 9+ tackles.
• DT CAMERON HEYWARD has 2 TFL & sack in 2 of past 3. Had 2 PD in Week 11 meeting.
• S MINKAH FITZPATRICK had 8 tackles & TFL last week. RAVENS lead NFL in total offense (424.1 yards per game) this season.

Ravens Notes

• QB LAMAR JACKSON completed 21 of 25 atts. (84 pct.) for 290 yards & 5 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 154.6 rating & rushed for 65 yards last week, becoming 1st player ever with 5 TD passes, 50+ rush yards & 80+ comp. pct. in reg. season game. Aims for 4th in row with 2+ TD passes, 0 INTs & 100+ rating. Has 6,001 career rush yards, becoming 2nd QB ever with 6,000+ rush yards (Michael Vick – 6,109).
• RB DERRICK HENRY aims for 14th in row with 65+ rush yards. Has rush TD in 5 of 6 home games this season. Rushed for 65 yards & TD in Week 11 meeting & aims for his 4th in row vs. Pit. with rush TD. Tied for NFL lead with 15 TDs (13 rush, 2 rec.) & ranks 2nd with 1,599 scrimmage yards (1,474 rush, 125 rec.) in 2024.
• RB JUSTICE HILL had 5 catches for 61 yards & TD last week. Has 60+ scrimmage yards & TD in 2 of past 3.
• WR ZAY FLOWERS aims for 4th in row with 50+ rec. yards. Had TD catch in Week 11 meeting. Needs 84 rec. yards for 1st-career 1,000-yard season.
• WR RASHOD BATEMAN had 80 rec. yards & career-high 2 TD catches last week. Has TD catch in 2 of past 3.
• TE MARK ANDREWS aims for 4th in row with TD catch. Aims for 3rd in row at home with 65+ rec. yards. Aims for his 3rd in row at home vs. Pit. with 85+ rec. yards.
• LB ROQUAN SMITH aims for his 5th in row with 5+ tackles. Had 13 tackles & 2 TFL in Week 11 meeting & aims for his 3rd in row vs. Pit. with 11+ tackles.
• LB KYLE VAN NOY aims for his 3rd in row with sack. Had sack & FF in last home meeting.
• LB MALIK HARRISON had 6 tackles & sack last week. Has TFL in 2 of past 3.
• S AR’DARIUS WASHINGTON had 5 tackles & 2nd INT of season in Week 15. Had season-high 12 tackles & TFL in Week 11 meeting.
• CB MARLON HUMPHREY had TFL last week. Had INT in Week 11 meeting

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Steelers TV Coverage

This week’s game will be broadcast on nationally on FOX.

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Steelers Radio Coverage

Flagship Stations

• WDVE-FM (102.5)
• WBGG-AM (970)

Pennsylvania Affiliates

• Altoona-WVAM (1430)
• Altoona-WRKY (104.9)
• Beaver Falls-WBVP (1230)
• Beaver Falls-WMBA (1460)
• Bedford-WBVE (107.5)
• Butler-WISR (680)
• Chambersburg-WCHA (800)
• Clarendon-WKNB (104.3)
• Clarion-WCCR (92.7)
• Cooperstown-WUUZ (107.7)
• DuBois-WIFT (102.1)
• DuBois-WKFT (101.3)
• Erie-WRKT (104.9)
• Johnstown-WNTJ (1490)
• Johnstown-WRKW (99.1)
• Latrobe-WCNS (1480)
• Milton-WVLY (100.9)
• Saegertown-WUZZ (94.3)
• Somerset-WNTI (990)
• Starview-WONN (92.7)
• State College-WQWK (1450)
• Uniontown-WMBS (590)
• Washington-WJPA (1450)
• Williamsport-WCXR (99.3)
• Williamsport-WZXR (103.7)

Maryland Affiliates

• Cumberland-WRQE (106.1)
• Hagerstown-WHAG (1410)

Ohio Affiliates

• Fremont-WOHF (92.1)
• Marietta-WJAW (630)
• Youngstown-WNIO (1390)

Virginia Affiliates

• Vienna-WDMX (100.1)

West Virginia Affiliates

• Fairmont-WRLF (94.3)
• Fairmont-WMMN (920)
• New Martinsville-WXCR (92.3)

Steelers Nation Radio

Steelers Nation Radio is a 24-hour/day HD radio station dedicated specifically to the Pittsburgh Steelers. It can be heard on www.steelers.com, the official Steelers app or the iHeart app on your smartphone, and at 102.5 WDVE HD2.

 

Statistics and game information courtesy of the Pittsburgh Steelers and/or National Football League.

Steelers GameDay Cheat Sheet: Week 16 vs. the Baltimore Ravens appeared first on Steel City Underground.

The Pittsburgh Steelers enter Week 16 of the 2024 NFL regular season looking to sweep the Baltimore Ravens series in what will be the AFC North Championship game. In their first meeting during Week 11 of the 2024 NFL regular season, the Steelers exited with a 18-16 victory, but it was an ugly win. The Steelers will be paying on the Ravens’ turf this time around. We look at the matchup and key Steelers players to watch.

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Nick Herbig

With the injury to T.J. Watt there remain questions about his availability against the Ravens, especially considering Pittsburgh has clenched a playoff berth and want the outside linebacker healthy for the long run. That means focus has shifted this week to fellow contributors at the position, including Nick Herbig, Preston Smith, and potentially Jeremiah Moon.

Herbig has had an outstanding season, having played with, and in place of, Alex Highsmith who is expected to start at the right edge of the Steelers defense.

In 10 games, Herbig has 4 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 4.5 sacks, 9 QB hits, and 4 tackles for a loss.

The last time the Steelers and Ravens met, Herbig forced a Derrick Henry fumble on the second play from scrimmage and DeShon Elliott recovered, leading to a Chris Boswell field goal. The Steelers could use some splash on defense in this upcoming game as well.

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Najee Harris

As Joe Kuzma illustrated in his article on Wednesday, the Steelers need to reestablish their run game after the loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 15. Harris lost his first fumble of the season in the game and will be looking for redemption.

In Week 11, Harris carried the ball 18 times for 63 yards to Jaylen Warren‘s 9 for 41. Harris also caught 4 receptions for 30 yards.

The Steelers have just two games this season without 100 yards rushing and both were losses. Getting the run game reestablished will be a key component to righting the Steelers offense, as a whole, in order to manage the clock and be successful on key conversion of critical downs and opening up the passing game.

If Harris can get some of his fire back this week, the offense would fare much better against a tough Ravens defense.

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James Pierre

Due to a back injury Donte Jackson suffered against the Eagles, Pierre is expected to see a significant uptick in playing time – doing so against cousin Lamar Jackson. When asked about potentially starting the game in place of Jackson and his mindset earlier this week, Pierre said, “One play at a time. Just try to stay humble with it. Just try to get the job done. You see what’s going on around you and just try to adapt. Don’t blink, don’t sweat, when the pressure’s coming don’t even blink. Just do what you gotta do and be yourself.”

Pierre would play opposite Joey Porter Jr. as an outside cornerback. How defensive coordinator Teryl Austin combines personnel packages, including in the backfield, will be interesting as Pittsburgh once again looks to shut down Jackson and smother his receiving targets. Pierre says the key is making the necessary tackles.

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Russell Wilson and Cameron Heyward

Two veterans with a load of experience, Wilson and Heyward will be setting the tone on the field. In big games, especially late-season divisional games that could determine champion status and help in playoff seeding, veteran leadership is a strength teams lean on.

It’s not a stretch this week to say that as Wilson and Heyward go, so goes this Steelers team.

“We talk about being a top team in the AFC. To be a top team in the AFC, you need to win the AFC North, to get to the playoffs,” Heyward said this week. “Obviously, we already (got in the playoffs)… We want home games in January. This is a step toward that.”

That first step will require that the two veterans not only play their best games but communicate and rally their teammates.

Russell Wilson speaks to the media on Wednesday, Dec. 18 ahead of the Steelers game against the Ravens in Week 16. @PondLehocky pic.twitter.com/puVaf6KdSp

— Steelers Live (@SteelersLive) December 18, 2024

“We know each other,” Heyward said about the Ravens. “We know what type of game it is. I think that plays into constructing good game plans. But as they know you, you have to execute better… This matchup comes down to a few plays, so it’s really highlighted by turnovers, special teams, the team that gets off the field fastest. Hopefully our defense is ready to do that.”

 

Steelers to watch in rematch with Ravens appeared first on Steel City Underground.

There’s some panic in the Steel City this week as the Pittsburgh Steelers prepare for what appears to be an AFC North Championship game against their long-time division rival the Baltimore Ravens. The worries stem from the loss of WR George Pickens over the last couple of weeks and the thought that he’s a necessary component for their offense’s sustained success.

While having a playmaking receiver can never hurt, the Steelers can focus on other areas of their offense, where they have been successful, and use those key elements to help maintain the pace with upcoming opponents – whether that’s with or without Pickens in the lineup.

Here are some of those areas.

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Russell Wilson

Please make no mistake about it: Russell Wilson is what makes the Steelers offense tick.

When Justin Fields was the Steelers starting quarterback through the team’s first six games of the season, the team polished off a 4-2 record. However, they mainly achieved this success by limiting opponents to 20 or fewer points. The defense allowed, on average, 14.3 points per game over that six-game span.

The offense, however, struggled as well, averaging 20.7 points per game, failing to score more than 20 points in four of those six games.

Once Wilson took the reigns as the starting quarterback, things changed. Before the Philadelphia game, the Steelers’ offense averaged 28.4 points per game with Wilson. The offense’s total yards upticked to 372 (up from 298) with the passing game being the biggest beneficiary, jumping to 239 yards on average, up from 167.

The Steelers also scored 26 points or more in five of the seven games Wilson started, including a season-high 44 against the Bengals.

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Pickens in the Pre-Wilson Era

One of the biggest things to highlight in determining how key George Pickens is to the Steelers offense is how he performed before and after Russell Wilson became the starting quarterback.

Would you like to know how many touchdown receptions Pickens had with Fields as the starting quarterback? It was zero.

With Wilson, Pickens has had three touchdown catches to date, but its the volume of explosive plays that track better under Wilson than Fields. Averaging nearly seven catches per game with both passers, Pickens has a larger average of yards per game (81 to 60) and yards-per-catch (17.8 to 13.7).

Of course, you cannot understate Pickens’ importance on the field. Yet, there are other players who are quietly making strides.

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Other receiving options

Pickens adds big plays when on the field, but we can also sense that Wilson is the major reason the offense was on the rise when looking at some of the Steelers other receivers.

One of those beneficiaries is TE Pat Freiermuth, who has caught four of his six touchdown passes from Wilson, including one in each of his last three games. Freiermuth also has four games with an 11 yards-per-reception or more average with Wilson under center versus only a single game with Fields.

Calvin Austin has also launched into being a potential secondary threat in the offense under Wilson, snagging three touchdown catches (versus one) with the veteran quarterback. Austin has also made big plays in the “Wilson era” of the 2024 season, with receptions of 36, 29, 46, and 31 yards. (He had one 30-yard-plus catch with Fields on a quick slant against the Chargers that went for 55.)

Needless to say, one way the Steelers can improve without Pickens is find Austin and Freiermuth.

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Mike Williams

Williams has been more absent than he should be after joining the Steelers in Week 10 against the Washington Commanders. Since, the veteran big-play threat has been anything but. Williams caught a key game-winning touchdown in his first action, but has been shutout in games against the Ravens, Browns, and Bengals.

He popped back on the stat sheet after Pickens was injured and ruled out in the second Browns game, catching three passes for 36 yards, but like the rest of the offense, Williams failed against Philly with a lone catch of 15 yards.

The Steelers will need his presence to grow, regardless if Pickens is on the field, in order to continue offensive momentum through their final games.

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Rushing Game

The Steelers rushing game is another area the team can lean on to help aide their offense.

Those who are looking at the Eagles game and its failures can point directly to Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren as part of the problem. Each back had a terrible average on Sunday, with Harris rushing six times for 14 yards and Warren adding four for 12.

The poor performance was the team’s worst run game output of the season with 56 yards total: 21 of those yards came from the quarterbacks including an eight-yard designed run by Fields.

That total is only the second time this season the Steelers failed to rush for at least 100 yards as a team in a game. (The other being a loss to the Dallas Cowboys.) Arthur Smith’s offense is designed to work off of a run-first mentality. When the offense cannot gain significant yards on first or second down by running the ball, it puts them in a third-and-long situation instead of third-and-manageable.

The ability to eat clock by running the football is also a major component to keeping the Steelers defense rested on the sidelines. Against Philadelphia, the lack of meaningful possessions was a killer for Pittsburgh’s D. The offense had four different drives stall with three-and-outs, punting each time whereas the Eagles punted once the entire game.

If the Steelers are to contend for a championship they’ll need to refocus on dominating the line of scrimmage and attacking with their backs. This also includes the pass game, especially without Pickens in the lineup.

Harris and Warren were only targeted three times throughout the game. Compare that to feasting on the Bengals defense in Week 13, where Harris caught six passes for 54 yards and Warren added four catches for 55. That’s over 100 yards of production that can help the Steelers offense move the chains more frequently and help shoulder the blow of not having Pickens on the field too.

Where the Steelers offense can improve: with or without George Pickens appeared first on Steel City Underground.

Steel City Underground will pick an exceptional play of the game as a highlight each week of the Pittsburgh Steelers 2024 NFL regular season. Stay tuned as we hand-select the very best from the Black and Gold!

Although the Pittsburgh Steelers were unable to put many points on the scoreboard against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 15 of the 2024 NFL regular season, they did manage to find the end zone in the second quarter.

The Steelers offense had three 3-and-outs before a Chris Boswell field goal was scored following a special teams turnover. They then had to punt on a series.

With just over six minutes left in the first half, Pittsburgh went on an 11-play drive that ate up 70 yards. After Russell Wilson escaped pressure on two keepers for ten yards, running back Najee Harris was stopped on a one-yard loss. A short pass to Van Jefferson got no gain, setting the Steelers up at 3rd & goal at the Philly 9 with 2:34 left.

Wilson took the snap with tight end Pat Freiermuth lined up just to the right of Broderick Jones. Wilson allowed Freiermuth to get clear and hit him in stride for a touchdown.

8️⃣ 8️⃣ hauls it in for 6️⃣

#ProBowlVote @pat_fry5

📲 Stream on NFL+: https://t.co/COxKRnr6Mc pic.twitter.com/jrIsYXTQl9

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 15, 2024

The catch was Freiermuth’s sixth touchdown reception this season, making him the team leader in touchdowns. Despite George Pickens remaining the top receiver for Pittsburgh in 2024 (55/90, 850 yards, 3 TDs), Freiermuth is second on the squad with 47/56, 492 yards.

Watch: Freiermuth snags 6th TD of 2024 season appeared first on Steel City Underground.

Our SCU staff and contributors pick the “surprises” from the Pittsburgh Steelers’ latest matchup each week. Check out more below to see which plays and situations surprised us the most!

The Pittsburgh Steelers lost their fourth game of the 2024 season, 27-13, to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. The loss reduced the Steelers to a one-game lead in the AFC North over the Baltimore Ravens. However, Pittsburgh clinched a playoff berth due to losses by the Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins.

Here are some surprises from that game.

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The Curse Continues

The Pittsburgh Steelers are 29-49-3 versus the Eagles all-time. The Steelers have a record of 9-30-2 against the Eagles on the road all-time, as their curse in Philadelphia continues.

They haven’t won a road game in the City of Brotherly Love since 1965.

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Low Offensive Output

The Steelers offense was historically bad on Sunday, running a total of 41 plays for 163 net yards.

According to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette it was their fewest yards since they had 127 in a 19-11 win against the Tennessee Titans in September 2010. Also according to Dulac, their 10 first downs were the fewest since December 2019 against the Baltimore Ravens.

The Elias Sports Bureau reports that the 11 plays the Steelers ran in the second half are the fewest by any NFL team since the Seattle Seahawks (10) in a 41-7 loss to the New York Giants in November 2010.

Pittsburgh also went 3-of-10 on third down and had a 20:08 time of possession.

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Defensive Collapse

Likewise the Steelers defense struggled to get off of the field, allowing the Eagles to convert on 59% of their third downs (10-of-17) while gaining 26 first downs total. The Eagles held the ball for 39:52 and ran 77 plays for a total of 401 yards.

Sunday was the second time this season that a team gained 400 or more yards on the Steelers defense. (The Cowboy had 445 in a Week 5 loss.) The Steelers have lost four of six games this season when they’ve given up 20 or more points to their opponent:

• Colts (27)
• Eagles (27)
• Browns (24)
• Cowboys (20)

It’s also the third game they’ve lost when forcing multiple turnovers this year.

The defense also allowed Eagles receivers A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith to have season-highs in both receptions and yards. Brown had 8 catches for 110 yards and a touchdown while Smith had 11 receptions for 109 yards and a score. Oddly, Pittsburgh only gave up 270 yards passing in this game and have only relinquished more than 270 to two teams this season: the Cowboys (336) and Bengals (282).

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Officiating

With the type of offensive and defensive play noted above, officiating is far down the list of reasons why the Steelers lost on Sunday. However, it’s worth noting several bad calls that handicapped the ailing offense, which was unable to play complimentary football to give the defense a break.

The first of those plays followed a fumble punt return by Eagles returner Cooper DeJean, which gave the Steelers the ball on the Philadelphia 11-yard line. On the first play of that series, Russell Wilson hit Najee Harris with a short pass that would’ve given Pittsburgh the ball on the four. However, a fight broke out in the endzone after Steelers TE Darnell Washington blocked Eagles CB Darius Slay through the endzone and off of the field.

Still can’t get over this. Might be the best play I ever saw. pic.twitter.com/OK8WzpFDMp

— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) December 16, 2024

That resulted in two penalties, but it turns out both flags were on the Steelers as the referees missed Slay throwing multiple punches at Washington, which should’ve offset and allowed the Steelers to replay first down from the eleven. Instead the Steelers lost the down and began with a 2nd-and-18 from the Philly 19. They would settle for a field goal, tying the game 3-3 with 3:46 remaining in the first quarter.

The next call was an unnecessary roughness penalty on 4th-and-2 by Montravius Adams, who went into an Eagles interior lineman on a field goal attempt but was blocked into the long snapper. The officiating botch would result in 15 yards and give the Eagles a 1st-and-10 from the Steelers 15 because it occurred before the kick. Philadelphia would still settle for a field goal.

Similarly, Eagles DL Jalen Carter would smack Connor Heyward in the face during a Corliss Waitman punt in the fourth quarter. The referees would deem the foul occurred after the kick and only resulted in giving the Steelers three additional yards as the punt landed on the Eagles six-yard line. Had the crew correctly determined the ball was not in flight, the Steelers offense should’ve retaken the field with a first down on the Eagles 31.

The aftermath was the Steelers offense would never get the ball back with 10:29 to go in the ballgame.

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T.J. Watt Injury

When T.J. Watt went down clutching his ankle with a little over four minutes left in the fourth quarter, Steelers fans held a collective gasp.

The odds-on favorite to win the NFL Defensive Player of the Year at this time had a great game, collecting two sacks and forcing a fumble.

It’s the thought of a Steelers team without Watt that is the bad prospect, as the team is 1-10 without the outside linebacker since he joined them in 2017.

5 Steelers surprises in Sunday’s loss against the Eagles appeared first on Steel City Underground.

Steel City Underground will pick an exceptional play of the game as a highlight each week of the Pittsburgh Steelers 2024 NFL regular season. Stay tuned as we hand-select the very best from the Black and Gold!

The Pittsburgh Steelers entered the Week 15 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers with double digit takeaways on the season. Despite the 27-13 loss and an offense that couldn’t produce more than one touchdown, the Steelers got two first half turnovers that improved their takeaway margin to +18, tied at the top of the league with the Buffalo Bills.

T.J. Watt created an opportunity for his teammates on offense to put points on the scoreboard early. The Eagles, ahead 3-0, started their second offensive series of the game. On 3rd & 4 at their own 43, Jalen Hurts took the snap from shotgun on the sixth play of the drive. As pressure from Pittsburgh was applied, Hurts kept the ball and ran toward the left tackle position. Watt, who closed from behind, used his famous punch-out move and earned his franchise record breaking 33rd career forced fumble. In the ensuing scramble, Beanie Bishop recovered the loose ball.

PUNCHED OUT BY @_TJWatt‼️

📲 Stream on NFL+: https://t.co/COxKRnr6Mc pic.twitter.com/soEV22X76G

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 15, 2024

The Steelers were unable to convert the takeaway into points on offense, though. That forced a Corliss Waitman punt and a big special teams play that had coordinator Danny Smith pumped up on the sideline.

Waitman’s kick was high and Philly cornerback and returner Cooper DeJean handled the catch. Unfortunately, for DeJean, several Steelers players got to him quickly. Linebacker Mark Robinson drove into DeJean to wrap him up, causing DeJean to lose control as he was folded up. The ball popped free and fellow Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig was able to fall on it.

BIG PLAY BY SPECIAL TEAMS ‼️

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— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 15, 2024

The Steelers have been opportunistic this season, grabbing 15 interceptions and 15 fumble recoveries. The two plays against the Eagles was an immediate lift, but resulted in just three points on the scoreboard when, on the ensuing drive after the special teams recovery, Chris Boswell hit his single-season franchise record 37th field goal; the kick went to 37 yards.

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