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Steeler Nation is a world-wide army that follows the legendary 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 Game Day Preview, a guide that all Steelers fans read weekly to learn everything they need to know about their team and weekly opponent!

Mike Drakulich, the man behind Pittsburgh SportsNation (@PghSportsNation), who covers both Pitt football and the Steelers for NGSC Sports, brings you inside the huddle for both teams providing all NFL fans with The PSN Game Scoop, Score Prediction, Broadcast and NFL Game Day Information, and a complete breakdown of each team.

Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2) Baltimore Ravens (3-1)

NFL Week 5

Game-time: Sunday, October 8th, 1:00 PM

Vegas line: Baltimore -4.5

Venue: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA.

Field: Kentucky Blue Grass

Weather at kickoff: 54 and mostly cloudy. Winds out of the West at 10-20 MPH.

The Pittsburgh SportsNation Game Scoop

The misery of Matt Canada’s offense continues, and the once proud Pittsburgh defense is in shambles after a 30-6 bloodletting at the hand of the Houston Texans last week.

After the game, head coach Mike Tomlin had this to say after being asked if any changes were forthcoming.

“Hell yeah there’s going to be changes, said Tomlin.”

Many involved with following the Steelers (2-2) had hoped that meant relieving offensive coordinator Matt Canada of his duties.

The “changes” made during the week of game preparation?

Practicing in pads.

So, the offense that failed to scored a touchdown in a game, a feat only accomplished twice in the past 69 games, will continue to be business as usual.

Kenny Pickett, who left the game last week with a knee injury, will be good to go this week and start against the Baltimore Ravens (3-1), who come into this game fresh off a 28-3 dusting of Cleveland.

Unfortunately, Pittsburgh has a litany of injuries that will keep tight end Pat Freiermuth, defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal, punter Pressley Harvin, and offensive linemen Dan Moore and James Daniels all on the sidelines for Sunday’s 1:00 PM kickoff at Acrisure Stadium.

Linebacker Alex Highsmith is listed as questionable, but was confident after Friday’s practice.

“It’s a little tightness, just want to be smart with it,” Highsmith said. “But yeah, I will be ready to go Sunday.”

The defense will need all the help they can get, especially with them competing to be the worst unit on the field during games. Everyone knows the offense has been a joke, but there are zero excuses for the highest paid defense to be allowing 25 points per game (ranked 25th), 403 total yards per game (30th), 254.5 yards passing (26th), and 148.5 yards rushing (29th).

Cam Heyward, who is on IR recovering from groin surgery, has watched his teammates get gashed on the ground since he has been out. He’s hopeful that the kinks can be worked out.

“It’s frustrating enough not being able to play, but I think looking at it, it’s not like my guys aren’t trying,” Heyward said. “There are little things we’ve got to clean up: hands, eyes, your key, how we step to a block. All these things can change the way we control the line of scrimmage. Hopefully, we’ve learned our lesson.

“The quickest way to get over this is to get a ‘W’ on Sunday because of the defensive line.”

We all know that unless a miracle occurs during the game, the Steelers offense will continue to sputter under Canada’s ‘Quick Sand’ system, so once again expect a fist fight type of game against the Ravens. No matter what records each team seems to have, their games are always close knit and come down to the 4th quarter before one emerges victorious.

The Ravens will certainly try to pound the ball with whomever is healthy at running back, that be Justice Hill (who is questionable), Gus Edwards, Melvin Gordon if they activate him, or rookie Keaton Mitchell, a speedy rookie who is set to come off IR this week.

Pittsburgh has always been able to keep Lamar Jackson under wraps, that being his passing game or when he takes off to run.

Jackson’s top weapon has become rookie wide receiver Zay Flowers, who has 24 receptions for 224 yards.

Flowers has done well with Odell Beckham playing through injuries, and receivers like Rashod Bateman not living up to preseason hype.

There is also one of the top tight ends in the game in Mark Andrews, who has burned the Steelers plenty of times in the past.

He hasn’t put up the numbers he is used to, but don’t be surprised if he has a breakout game this Sunday.

All in all, nothing that happens Sunday will be a surprise.

Every time you consider the Steelers down and out, they come out of nowhere and win a game where they are cornered.

After last week’s beat down at the hands of the Texans, I also wouldn’t be shocked if Baltimore comes in here and just clobbers Pittsburgh.

So, we’ll just meet in the middle, where on Sunday, the Pittsburgh will offense will continue to make your stomach turn, driving even nuns in a local convent to turn to hard liquor. The only positive thing Steelers fans could be given is another horrid performance under Canada could lead to his dismissal, especially with a bye coming up next week, giving any competent coordinator two weeks to implement a new offense by the time the team faces off against the LA Rams on October 22nd.

One can dream, right?

Prediction: Ravens 24 Steelers 13

Broadcast and NFL Game Day Information

TV: CBS (Local: KDKA-TV channel 802 on Xfinity)

Announcers: Ian Eagle (play-by-play) Charles Davis (analyst) | Evan Washburn (field reporter)

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: ESPN Radio

Announcers: Steve Levy (play-by-play) Sal Paolantonio (analysis)

Internet broadcast: Steelers Nation Radio (SNR) on Steelers.com

NFL Links

NFL Standings | NFL Scoreboard

Scouting the Pittsburgh Steelers

Overall record: 2-2 (Tied 2nd in AFC North)

Last Game: Texans 30 Steelers 6

Head Coach: Mike Tomlin

17th Season with Steelers
Overall regular-season record: 165-95-2
Playoff record: 8-9 (Qualified for playoffs 10 times)

Team Links

Steelers Offense

Offensive Stats

Points per game: 15.5 (25th)
Total yards per game: 284 (30th)
Passing yards per game: 205.3 (24th)
Rushing yards per game: 78.8 (29th)

Quarterback

Kenny Pickett | #8

Passing Yards: 803 | TD Passes: 4 | INT’s: 4 | Sacked: 11
Rushing Yards: 18 | Rushing TD’s: 0

Pickett was experiencing a Matt Canada outing before suffering a knee injury that knocked him out of the game vs Houston. He will return to start this week vs the Ravens. Pickett, Canada aside, needs to learn pocket awareness, lose the happy feet, and start stepping up and making NFL throws.

Back-up: Mitch Trubisky | #10

Passing Yards: 18 | TD Passes: 0| INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 0
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0

Running Backs

Najee Harris | #22

Rushing Yards: 210 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 4 | Receiving Yards: 34 | Receiving TD’s: 0

Harris is getting better each week, showing signs of why the Steelers made him a first round selection. Will play even better if the line improves their run blocking as well.

Jaylon Warren | #30

Rushing Yards: 84 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 18 | Receiving Yards: 127 | Receiving TD’s: 0

Warren has been getting more carries, and with good cause, as he always finds a way to get positive yardage. Warren has become a weapon catching passes out of the backfield.

**Anthony McFarland* | #26**

Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 11 | Receiving TD’s: 0

Wide Receivers

**Diontae Johnson* | #18**

Receptions: 3 | Receiving Yards: 48 | Receiving TD’s: 0

Johnson is out with a groin injury.

George Pickens | #14

Receptions: 16 | Receiving Yards: 263 | Receiving TD’s: 1

Pickens leads the team with 16 receptions for 263 yards. Pickens has game breaking ability, but Matt Canada refuses to get him the ball as often as possible.

Allen Robinson II | #11

Receptions: 12 | Receiving Yards: 108 | Receiving TD’s: 0

Vet presence makes the catches when the ball is thrown in his direction.

Calvin Austin III | #19

Receptions: 12 | Receiving Yards: 143 | Receiving TD’s: 1

The shifty receiver has become a very reliable target, now with 12 receptions on the year.

Gunner Olszewski | #89

Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0

Myles Boykin | #13

Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 5 | Receiving TD’s: 0

Tight Ends

**Pat Freiermuth* | #88**

Receptions: 8 | Receiving Yards: 53 | Receiving TD’s: 1

To say Freiermuth has been under utilized is… well, the understatement of the season. Unfortunately, he’s out this week.

Conner Heyward | #83

Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 19 | Receiving TD’s: 0

Heyward has had a quiet year so far, but with Freiermuth is out, he’ll see an uptick in action.

Darnell Washington | #80

Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 10 | Receiving TD’s: 0

The world awaits “Mount” Washington to be utilized in the Steelers passing attack. Should be utilized more with Freiermuth missing the game. Unleash the rookie!

*Injured/Out

Steelers Defense (Base 3-4)

Defensive Stats

Points per game allowed: 25 (23rd)
Total offense yards per game allowed: 403 (30th)
Passing yards allowed: 254.5 (26th)
Rushing yards allowed: 148.5 (29th)
Sacks: 13 (6th)
Interceptions: 4 (7th)

Defensive Line

DT: Keeanu Benton | #95

Tackles: 10 | Sacks: 1

NT: Montravius Adams | #57

Tackles: 11 | Sacks: 0

DE: Larry Ogunjobi | #99

Tackles: 11 | Sacks: 1

Linebackers

OLB: T.J. Watt | #90

Tackles: 13 | Sacks: 6 | TD: 1

ILB: Cole Holcomb | #41 or Kwon Alexander | #54

Tackles: 25 | Sacks: 0 Tackles: 28 | Sacks: 0

ILB: Elandon Roberts | #50

Tackles: 23 | Sacks: 0

OLB: Alex Highsmith | #56

Tackles: 17 | Sacks: 1 | INT: 1 | TD: 1

Secondary

CB: Levi Wallace | #29

Tackles: 18 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 2

SS: Keanu Neal | #31

Tackles: 19 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0

NICKLE: Damontae Kazee | #23

Tackles: 15 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0

Steelers Special Teams

Placekicker

Chris Boswell | #9

Extra Points: 5-5

Field Goals: 7-7

1-19 yards: 0-0
20-29 yards: 1-1
30-39 yards: 1-1
40-49 yards: 2-2
50+ yards: 3-3

Kickoff Returners

Desmond King | #25

Average: 23.0 | TD Returns: 0

Punt Returner

Calvin Austin III | #19

Average: 5.3 | TD Returns: 0

Scouting the Baltimore Ravens

Overall record: 3-1 (1st in AFC North)

Last game: Ravens 28 Browns 3

Head Coach: John Harbaugh

16th Season with Baltimore
Overall regular-season record: 150-96 | 150-96 with Baltimore
Playoff Record: 11-9

Team Links

Ravens Offense

Offensive Stats

Points per game: 24.8 (12th)
Total Offense per game: 349.8 (12th)
Passing yards per game: 198.5 (27th)
Rushing yards per game: 151.3 (4th)

Quarterback

Lamar Jackson | #8

Passing Yards: 794 | TD Passes: 4 | INT’s: 1 | Sacked: 11
Rushing Yards: 220 | Rushing TD’s: 4

Jackson is one of the top dual threat QB’s in the game, but can be rattled into bad throws when pressured.

Back-up: Tyler Huntley | #2

Passing Yards: 0 | TD Passes: 0 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 0
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0

Running Backs

Justice Hill | #43

Rushing Yards: 83 | Rushing TD’s: 2
Receptions: 3 | Receiving Yards: 12 | Receiving TD’s: 0

Hill is part of a RB rotation that looks like a Med Unit. Has a toe injury and has gained just 83 yards rushing so far.

Gus Edwards | #35

Rushing Yards: 193 | Rushing TD’s: 1
Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 1 | Receiving TD’s: 0

Edwards leads the team with 193 yards rushing, but has had injury problems all year.

Melvin Gordon | #33

Rushing Yards: 53 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 3 | Receiving Yards: 46 | Receiving TD’s: 0

Receivers

Zay Flowers | #4

Receptions: 24 | Receiving Yards: 224 | Receiving TD’s: 0

Flowers has become the top target in the Baltimore passing attack. He leads the team with 24 catches and in yards with 224.

Nelson Agholor | #15

Receptions: 10 | Receiving Yards: 106 | Receiving TD’s: 1

Agholor has had to step up with Odell Beckham nursing injuries all year long.

Odell Beckham, Jr. | #3

Receptions: 5 | Receiving Yards: 66 | Receiving TD’s: 0

The veteran has been plagued with injuries to start his Ravens career.

Rashod Bateman | #7

Receptions: 7 | Receiving Yards: 59 | Receiving TD’s: 0

Devin Duvernay | #13

Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 8 | Receiving TD’s: 0

Tight Ends

Mark Andrews | #89

Receptions: 14 | Receiving Yards: 160 | Receiving TD’s: 3

One of the top tight ends in the game, but hasn’t been putting up the numbers he is used to.

Isaiah Likely | #80

Receptions: 3 | Receiving Yards: 32 | Receiving TD’s: 0

*Injured/out

Ravens Defense (Base 4-3)

Defensive Stats

Points per game allowed: 14.5 (3rd)
Total offense yards per game allowed: 260.8 (3rd)
Passing yards allowed: 168.3 (3rd)
Rushing yards allowed: 92.5 (7th)
Sacks: 15 (6th)
Interceptions: 4 (7th)

Defensive Line

DE: Justin Madubuike | #92

Tackles: 10 | Sacks: 2

DT: Michael Pierce | #58

Tackles: 10 | Sacks: 0

DE: Broderick Washington | #96

Tackles: 4 | Sacks: 1

Linebackers

OLB: Odafe Oweh | #99

Tackles: 3 | Sacks: 0

ILB: Roquan Smith | #0

Tackles: 43 | Sacks: 1.5

ILB: Patrick Queen | #6

Tackles: 36 | Sacks: 2

OLB: Jadeveon Clowney | #24

Tackles: 10 | Sacks: 1.5

Secondary

Stephens is 3rd on the team with 28 tackles and an interception. Stone has 21 tackles and two interceptions.

CB: Brandon Stephens | #21

Tackles: 18 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 2

SS: Kyle Hamilton | #14

Tackles: 21 | Sacks: 3 | INT: 1

FS: Geno Stone | #26

Tackles: 21 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 2

CB: Marlon Humpries | #44

Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0

Ravens Special Teams

Placekicker

Justin Tucker | #9

Extra Points: 11-11

Field Goals: 4-6

1-19 yards: 0-0
20-29 yards: 0-0
30-39 yards: 1-1
40-49 yards: 2-2
50+ yards: 1-3

Kickoff Returner

Devin Durvernay | #13

Average: 20.5 | TD Returns: 0

Punt Returner

Devin Durvernay | #13

Average: 11.8 | TD Returns: 0

Steelers vs Ravens History

Series History: Began in 1996

Overall Record: 33-25

Home: 19-12
Away: 14-3
Postseason: 3-1

Streak: Steelers won the last game.

Last regular-season meeting: Steelers Win, 16-13 (Jan. 1, 2023)

Last postseason meeting: Ravens Win, 30-17 (Jan. 3, 2015)

Injury Report (10/6/23)

Pittsburgh Steelers

IR: DE Cam Heyward, WR Diontae Johnson (Hamstring), RB Anthony McFarland Jr. (Knee)
Out: P Pressley Harvin (Hamstring), OL Dan Moore Jr. (Knee), OL James Daniels (Groin), TE Pat Freiermuth (Hamstring), DE DeMarvin Leal (Concussion)
Doubtful: None,
Questionable: LB Alex Highsmith (Groin)

Baltimore Ravens

Out: OLB Odafe Oweh (Ankle), S Daryl Worley (Shoulder)
Doubtful: T Morgan Moses (Shoulder)
Questionable: WR Odell Beckham Jr. (Ankle), RB Justice Hill (Foot/Hamstring), CB Marlon Humphrey (Foot), RB Keaton Mitchell (Shoulder), T Ronnie Stanley (Knee)

About Post Author

Mike Drakulich

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!

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Mike DrakulichYour 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!