0
0
Steeler Nation is a world-wide army that lives and dies with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Six-Time Super Bowl Champions are a franchise whose tradition dictates a standard of excellence, and their fans expect nothing less year in and year out. Those very same ideals translate to the ultimate Pittsburgh Steelers GameDay Preview, a guide that all Pittsburgh fans read weekly to learn everything they need to know about the Steelers and their upcoming opponent! Pittsburgh SportsNation, aka Mike Drakulich (@PghSportsNation), who covers both Pitt football and the Steelers for NGSC Sports, brings you inside the huddle for both teams with the Keys to Victory, The Game Scoop and score prediction, Game Day Information, a detailed breakdown of each team and starting line-ups, and an up to date team injury report. Heck, you’ll even know the weather at kickoff. The only thing you’re missing is a game uniform.
Pittsburgh Steelers (5-7) vs Baltimore Ravens (8-4)
NFL Week 14
Game-time: Sunday, December 11th, 1:00 PM
- Vegas line: Pittsburgh -2.5
Venue: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA.
- Field: Kentucky Blue Grass
Keys to Victory
Offense
- Touchdowns over Field Goals: The offense has looked slightly better as of late, especially in the rushing attack, but settling for field goals over touchdowns will eventually catch up to this team desperate to win out to have a shot at the playoffs.
- Splash Plays: Long, time consuming drives are nice, however, the more plays run, the more chance for errors such as penalties or turnovers. This offense has to figure out ways to get the ball downfield, especially to players like George Pickens.
- Protect Pickett: The Ravens boast a great pass rush, so the line will have to be up to the task of keeping their quarterback protected.
Defense
- Stack the box: With Lamar Jackson out, the best plan of action with Tyler Huntley under center is to put seven to eight players in the box, focusing on stopping the run game, and forcing Huntley to beat the Steelers via the pass. Expect the Ravens to utilize a trio of backs in Gus Edwards, Kenyon Drake, and J.K. Dobbins.
- Limit damage by Mark Andrews: If you stop Andrews, you basically stop the Ravens offense cold.
The Game Scoop
The roller coaster season for the Pittsburgh Steelers (5-7) continues it’s journey vs their bitter rivals in the Baltimore Ravens (8-4) this Sunday afternoon at Acrisure Stadium, at 1:00 PM.
Every time you start getting good vibes for Pittsburgh, they end up suffering a devastating loss as they did vs the Dolphins and Bengals.
Yet every time the Steelers have been left for dead, they go out and beat a Tampa Bay, or win their last two games to crack the door open to the final Wild Card spot in the AFC Playoffs.
With the New York Jets hanging on to that final spot at 7-5, the Steelers will likely have to go 4-1, if not run the table to make the playoffs for the 2nd year in a row.
The path to that accomplishment got a little easier with the news of Raven’s QB Lamar Jackson’s injury that could sideline him for one to three weeks.
After Baltimore, whom Pittsburgh is favored over by 2.5 points, the Steelers face subpar teams in Carolina and Oakland, two squads that the Steelers should also be favored in, especially if they defeat Baltimore this weekend.
That would put the formerly 3-7 Steelers at 8-7 with the final two contests at Baltimore and at home vs the Browns.
First things first, and that is taking care of business vs the Ravens at what should be a fired up home crowd.
Pittsburgh’s defense will need to step up to the challenge, and keep Baltimore’s rushing attack at bay, and limit star tight end Mark Andrews as much as they can.
With Tyler Huntley at quarterback, the Ravens will surely focus on pounding the ball and controlling the clock as much as possible.
It would behoove the Steelers to stack the box and dare Baltimore to throw the ball, and when they do pass, create pressure on Huntley and force a few turnovers for the offense to capitalize upon.
Speaking of the offense, which has shown signs of life over the past few weeks, Kenny Pickett and his play-makers will have to find ways to finish drives in the endzone and not settle for field goals. Najee Harris has been playing outstanding of late, and if he continues down that path, the rushing attack should open up some chances for Pickett to hit some splash plays downfield to Diontae Johnson and George Pickens.
To be be quite blunt, this offense under offensive coordinator Matt Canada has failed to put it’s players in position to succeed, which is why this team is 5-7 instead of 7-5 or better.
“I think it’s showing that you have to continue to push and push and keep doing what you believe is right,” said Canada. “I think our guys have done that. We’re nowhere near being done. We got five games left. We’ve got a huge one this week. We’re not a finished product in any way, shape or form. But I do think you’re starting to see our players more importantly, which is really all that matters, are starting to see why we’re doing it, how this fits, what their roles are.
“There’s not a real magic formula to it. Sometimes you wish there was. I’m not going to say me, but I think we as a staff have stayed the course. We know why we’re doing what we’re doing. We know why we’re running the plays we’re running. We know who we’re trying to get the ball to. It doesn’t always show up and nobody outside of the building maybe understands why, but you just have to keep doing what I believe is right.”
Now it’s up to Pickett to work with Canada’s offense and find ways to get the ball in the hands of his receivers and let them make plays.
“Everyone wants the ball. Everyone wants to win,” Pickett said. “You never know who is going to have that big game. Sometimes, it may not be you one week, and maybe it’s another guy and it bounces around like that. It’s kind of how it is depending on what the defense is and how they are dictating me going with the football. We’ll continue to push forward and get our playmakers the football.”
It’s not quite the old days of Ben Roethlisberger, Hines Ward, Troy Polamalu, and James Harrison going up against Joe Flacco, Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, and Terrell Suggs, but it’s still a bitter rivalry, one that the Steelers have managed to win four straight games in.
On Sunday, chalk up five straight, as the Pittsburgh defense will rise to the occasion and stifle the Baltimore offense, while Kenny Pickett and the offense will muster enough points to take down the hated Ravens once-more.
Prediction: Steelers 20 Ravens 16
Game Day Information
TV: CBS (Local: KDKA-TV)
- Announcers: Kevin Harlan (play-by-play) Trent Green (analyst) | Melanie Collins (sideline)
Local Radio: Pittsburgh- 102.5 WDVE-FM & 970 WBGG-AM
- Announcers: Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play) Craig Wolfley (analyst) | Max Starks (sideline) Missi Matthews (sideline)
National Radio: N/A
- Announcers:
Internet broadcast: Steelers Nation Radio (SNR) on Steelers.com
Weather at kickoff: Cloudy and 45. Winds out of the West at 8 mph.
NFL Links
Scouting the Pittsburgh Steelers
Overall record: 5-7 (Tied 3rd in AFC North)
Last game: Steelers 19 Falcons 16
Head Coach: Mike Tomlin
- 15th Season with Steelers
- Overall regular-season record: 159-92-2
- Playoff record: 8-9 (Qualified for playoffs 10 times)
Team Links
- Pittsburgh Steelers Team Roster
- Steelers Team/Individual Statistics
- Pittsburgh Steelers 2022 Schedule
Steelers Offense
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 17.8
- Total yards per game: 333.6
- Passing yards per game: 216.6
- Rushing yards per game: 117
Quarterback
Kenny Pickett | #8
The first round pick from Pitt is getting better each week, but it’s time for the young quarterback to start putting the ball into the endzone via the pass more often than not.
- Passing Yards: 1,797 | TD Passes: 4 | INT’s: 8 | Sacked: 23
- Rushing Yards: 209 | Rushing TD’s: 3
Back-up: Mitch Trubisky | #10
- Passing Yards: 797 | TD Passes:T 3 | INT’s: 2 | Sacked: 9
- Rushing Yards: 29 | Rushing TD’s: 1
Running Backs
Najee Harris | #22
After a start slowed by a foot injury, Harris has upped his game and is playing like a man possessed now that he is healthy.
- Rushing Yards: 671 | Rushing TD’s: 4
- Receptions: 30 | Receiving Yards: 148 | Receiving TD’s: 2
Jaylon Warren | #30
Good change of pace back when he comes in for relief of Harris. Runs hard and hits the hole going downhill. If Harris is ever out, would get the majority of carries.
- Rushing Yards: 195 | Rushing TD’s: 0
- Receptions: 18 | Receiving Yards: 151 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Benny Snell | #44
Looked good in first action all year, Snell answered the door when opportunity knocked.
- Rushing Yards: 86 | Rushing TD’s: 1
- Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 17 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Derek Watt | #44
- Rushing Yards: 15 | Rushing TD’s: 0
- Receptions: 5 | Receiving Yards: 11 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Wide Receivers
Diontae Johnson | #18
Isn’t having the type of production you’d expect from an 18 million dollar a year receiver, but Matt Canada’s offense fails to put him in position to succeed. Has yet to find the endzone in 2022. Leads the team with 61 catches.
- Receptions: 61 | Receiving Yards: 565 | Receiving TD’s: 0
George Pickens | #14
Has all the talent you could ask for… now the Steelers have to find a way to get him the ball more consistently, especially downfield.
- Receptions: 37 | Receiving Yards: 512 | Receiving TD’s: 2
Myles Boykin | #82
- Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 11 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Steven Sims | #13
- Receptions: 5 | Receiving Yards: 23 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Gunner Olszewski | #89
- Receptions: 3 | Receiving Yards: 43 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Tight Ends
Pat Friermuth | #88
Emerging as one of the better tight ends in the game. 2nd on the team with 50 receptions and leads the team in receiving.
- Receptions: 50 | Receiving Yards: 597 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Zach Gentry | #81
- Receptions: 16 | Receiving Yards: 104 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Conner Heyward | #83
- Receptions: 8 | Receiving Yards: 93 | Receiving TD’s: 1
*Injured/Out
Steelers Defense (Base 3-4)
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 23.1
- Total offense yards per game allowed: 362.6
- Passing yards allowed: 255.1
- Rushing yards allowed: 107.5
- Sacks: 23
- Interceptions: 14
Defensive Starters
DE: Cam Heyward #97 | DT: Montravius Adams #57 | DE: Larry Ogunjobi #99
- Heyward has 46 tackles and five sacks.
OLB: T.J. Watt #90 | ILB: Devin Bush #55 | ILB: Myles Jack #51| OLB: Alex Highsmith #56
- Highsmith leads the team with 10 sacks. Jack leads the team with 98 tackles. Bush is 2nd on team with 66 tackles. 2021 Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt has 22 tackles, 1.5 sacks and two INT’s.
CB: Levi Wallace #29 | SS: Terrell Edmunds #34 | FS: Minkah Fitzpatrick #39 | CB: Cameron Sutton #20
- Fitzpatrick is 3rd on the team with 62 tackles, and a team leading four interceptions. Sutton has two INT’s, while Wallace has three. Damontae Kazee will see plenty of snaps and has seven tackles and one interception. Edmunds is 4th on the team with 46 tackles and one INT.
Steelers Special Teams
Placekicker
Chris Boswell | #9
One of the best clutch kickers in the game.
- Extra Points: 9-9
- Field Goals: 12-16
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 3-3
- 30-39 yards: 2-3
- 40-49 yards: 2-4
- 50+ yards: 5-6
Matthew Wright | #4
- Extra Points: 7-7
- Field Goals: 12-14
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 1-1
- 30-39 yards: 5-6
- 40-49 yards: 5-6
- 50+ yards: 1-1
Kickoff Returner
Steven Sims | #13
- Average: 25.6 | TD Returns: 0
Punt Returner
Steven Sims | #13
- Average: 5.9 | TD Returns: 0
Scouting the Baltimore Ravens
Overall record: 8-4 (1st in AFC North)
Last game: Ravens 10 Broncos 9
Head Coach: John Harbaugh
- 15th Season with Baltimore
- Overall regular-season record: 145-92
- Playoff record: 11-8
Team Links
Ravens Offense
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 23.8
- Total Offense per game: 360.2
- Passing yards per game: 202.4
- Rushing yards per game: 157.8
Quarterback
Lamar Jackson* | #8
Jackson is likely out with an injury suffered vs the Broncos, and will reportedly miss 1-3 weeks, if not more.
- Passing Yards: 2,242 | TD Passes: 17 | INT’s: 7 | Sacked: 26
- Rushing Yards: 764 | Rushing TD’s: 3
Back-up: Tyler Huntley | #2
Huntley takes over for Jackson, and will utilize his legs more often than not when pressured.
- Passing Yards: 187 | TD Passes: 0 | INT’s: 1 | Sacked: 2
- Rushing Yards: 41 | Rushing TD’s: 1
Running Backs
Kenyon Drake | #17
Leads the backfield in rushing, but has taken a backseat to Gus Edwards the past month. Should see 5-10 carries.
- Rushing Yards: 421 | Rushing TD’s: 3
- Receptions: 13 | Receiving Yards: 69 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Justice Hill | #43
Hasn’t been seeing much of the field lately, only getting one carry each of the past two games.
- Rushing Yards: 225 | Rushing TD’s: 0
- Receptions: 10 | Receiving Yards: 39 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Gus Edwards | #35
The “starter” according to the depth chart… Edwards only has 195 yards rushing, but does have three touchdowns to his credit.
- Rushing Yards: 195 | Rushing TD’s: 3
- Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
J.K. Dobbins | #35
Has been injury plagued in his career, but will be active for the game vs the Steelers.
- Rushing Yards: 123 | Rushing TD’s: 1
- Receptions: 6 | Receiving Yards: 39 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Patrick Ricard | #42
- Rushing Yards: 14 | Rushing TD’s: 0
- Receptions: 11 | Receiving Yards: 74 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Mike Davis | #28
- Rushing Yards: 18 | Rushing TD’s: 0
- Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 4 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Receivers
Devin Durvernay | #13
Has become the top WR target in the Ravens passing game with Rashod Bateman out.
- Receptions: 35 | Receiving Yards: 378 | Receiving TD’s: 3
Demarcus Robinson | #10
Robinson has come on strong the past month, catching 17 passes the past three games for 186 yards.
- Receptions: 33 | Receiving Yards: 338 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Rashod Bateman* | #14
Was the leading man in Baltimore but has been out with an injury.
- Receptions: 15 | Receiving Yards: 285 | Receiving TD’s: 2
DeSean Jackson | #12
- Receptions: 5 | Receiving Yards: 100 | Receiving TD’s: 1
James Proche | #12
- Receptions: 8 | Receiving Yards: 62 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Tight Ends
Mark Andrews | #89
One of the top two or three tight ends in the game, Andrews leads the team in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns.
- Receptions: 56 | Receiving Yards: 654 | Receiving TD’s: 5
Isaiah Likely | #80
- Receptions: 22 | Receiving Yards: 236 | Receiving TD’s: 2
Josh Oliver | #84
- Receptions: 11 | Receiving Yards: 130 | Receiving TD’s: 2
*Injured/out
Ravens Defense (Base 3-4)
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 19.7
- Total offense yards per game allowed: 330.5
- Passing yards allowed: 248
- Rushing yards allowed: 82.5
- Sacks: 37
- Interceptions: 11
Defensive Starters
DE: Justin Madubuike #92 | DT: Travis Jones #98 | DE: Calais Campbell #93
- Campbell has 5.5 sacks. Madubuike has 27 tackles and 3.5 sacks.
OLB: Jason Pierre-Paul #4 | MLB: Roquan Smith #18 | MLB: Patrick Queen #6 | OLB: Justin Houston #50
- Queen leads the team with 85 tackles and has four sacks. Walker is 2nd with 93, and has one sack and two INT’s. Houston has a tea leading nine sacks.
CB: Marcus Peters #24 | SS: Chuck Clark #36 | FS: Geno Stone #26 | CB: Marlon Humphrey #44
- Clark is 2nd on the team with 71 tackles. Humphrey is 3rd on the team with 50 tackles, has three sacks, and three interceptions.
Ravens Special Teams
Placekicker
Justin Tucker | #7
- Extra Points: 28-29
- Field Goals: 25-28
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 8-8
- 30-39 yards: 8-8
- 40-49 yards: 3-3
- 50+ yards: 6-9
Kickoff Returner
Devin Durvernay | #35
- Average: 26.9 | TD Returns: 1
Punt Returner
Devin Durvernay | #35
- Average: 12.4 | TD Returns: 0
Steelers vs Ravens History
Series History: Began in 1996
Overall Record: 33-24
- Home: 19-11
- Away: 13-13
- Postseason: 3-1
Streak: Steelers have won the last four games.
Last regular-season meeting: Steelers Win, 16-13, OT (Jan. 9, 2022)
Last postseason meeting: Ravens Win, 30-17 (Jan. 3, 2015)
Injury Report (12/9/22)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Out: None
- Doubtful: None
- Questionable: WR Diontae Johnson (Hip), LB Malik Reed (Back), LB T.J. Watt (Ribs)
Baltimore Ravens
- Out: CB Daryl Worley (Hamstring)
- Doubtful: QB Lamar Jackson (Knee)
- Questionable: OL Patrick Mekari (Toe), OLB Del’Shawn Phillips (Quad), LB Patrick Queen (Thigh), G Kevin Zeitler (Knee), LB Kristian Welch (Concussion)
Author Profile
- Your source for Pittsburgh sports!
-
From Midland, "The Basketball Capital of Pennsylvania", located 35 miles NW of Pittsburgh along the Ohio River. This former steel town was home to storied athletes such as Dave Alston, Norm Van Lier, Simmie Hill, and the legendary 1965 Midland High School Basketball Team.
There's nowhere on earth that is more dedicated to its sports teams like Western Pennsylvania and the city of Pittsburgh. The passion and pride of Pittsburgh's fan base is second to no one. From the NFL, NHL, MLB, NCAA football and basketball, to W.P.I.A.L. high school sports, "The City of Champions" has it all!
As Editor of Pittsburgh SportsNation, Mike Drakulich provides top notch opinions and coverage of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pitt Panthers football & basketball, Robert Morris Colonials basketball, and Duquesne Dukes basketball, as well as all sports teams that represent Western Pennsylvania, including WPIAL High School Football.
For a refreshing view of sports, mixed with humor and uncensored opinions, check out Pittsburgh SportsNation today on Facebook, Twitter @PghSportsNation and videos with over 1,000,000 views on YouTube!
Latest entries
FeaturesMarch 18, 2024The DraX-Files: This Week in Pittsburgh Sports
FeaturesMarch 12, 2024The DraX-Files: This Week in Pittsburgh Sports
FeaturesMarch 3, 2024The DraX-Files: This Week in Pittsburgh Sports
FeaturesFebruary 25, 2024The DraX-Files: This Week in Pittsburgh Sports