This post was originally published on this site
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.