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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 Commentary, Game Prediction, Broadcast Information, and a complete breakdown of each team.
The Pittsburgh SportsNation Game Commentary
The two biggest bullies on the block are set to meet once again.
The Pittsburgh Steelers vs the Baltimore Ravens.
The bitter rivals face off for the first time this season, Sunday afternoon at Acrisure Stadium, at 1:00 PM.
Though this game hasn’t been as nasty and vicious as it used to be in the mid-2000’s when Ben Roethlisberger, Hines Ward, Troy Polamalu, James Harrison, Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, and Terrell Suggs were roaming the field, this one is set to be a special one.
Pittsburgh comes into this one leading the AFC North with a record of 7-2, with the Ravens right behind them at 7-3.
A Steelers win would give them a two game cushion as division leaders, and a loss would vault Baltimore back into the top spot.
Buckle that chinstrap and getcha popcorn ready.
“It’s going to be physical,” said Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward. “You’re going to be sore after. It’s going to feel like a playoff game because both teams are after an AFC North crown.”
Pittsburgh, who has won seven out the past eight meetings against Baltimore, is ready to quiet the doubters again, who have the Ravens as 3.5 favorites despite playing in Pittsburgh.
“Every game is important, but division games carry more weight,” quarterback Russell Wilson said. “The way we win it is by playing good, clean football. You do the things well that you do well already. You have to make clutch plays. They got guys on both sides of the ball that can make some great plays. We do, too. We get to play in front of our fans, and that will be a great experience for us.”
One guy who is chomping at the bit to play this game is Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen, formerly from Baltimore.
“How do I answer this?” said Queen. “I wasn’t offered to go back. I wanted back and didn’t get an offer back. It’s definitely kind of upsetting, being there for four years and the bond that you broke with your teammates and stuff.
“The first few months, you definitely go through those feelings. Now, after playing games, you just go by that you want to win games. You want to win with your teammates, your new teammates. You want to bond with those guys. Everything that you do is for the organization that you’re in now. I would have feelings. Anybody in my position would, obviously.”
Queen knows full well what this game means to both teams.
“Two places that know how to play great football, physical football, bloody football,” Queen said of the rivalry. “A whole lot of trash talking, a whole lot of hitting. That’s basically it. There’s not going to be a lot of trick stuff going on. It’s going to be football played. We’ll see who lasts the longest.”
Queen has turned up his play after a slow start, but is now 2nd on the team with 62 tackles.
“I think he has shown more comfort with each passing week. And I think his production and consistency of play reflects that,” said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. “He realizes what we brought him here to do, and he’s embraced that in terms of being a leader and hub of communication. I’ve got no issue with that.
“I just think that over time it’s reasonable to expect him to play faster, to see his talent show up more consistently and him to play with the edge that we appreciate as he gets more comfortable within what it is that we do, how we put plans together, how he marches himself toward a six- or seven-day preparation cycle. I’m excited about all of that moving forward.”
The Steelers defensive game plan starts and ends with Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, who is having another MVP season.
All Jackson has done is throw for 2,669 yards with 24 touchdowns and just two interceptions. He’s also rushed for 538 yards.
Then you have the league’s leading rusher in Derrick Henry, who has run for 1,120 yards and 12 touchdowns, tops in the NFL.
The top ranked Ravens offense, is averaging 31.8 points a game.
Jackson’s top receiver is Zay Flowers, who has caught 50 passes for 688 yards and three touchdowns. Rashod Bateman is having a solid year behind Flowers, with 31 receptions for 501 yards and four touchdowns. Behind those two, it gets a little murky, with Nelson Agholor averaging just 20.5 yards a game, and the newly acquired Diontae Johnson, formerly a Steeler, catching just one pass for six yards in his two games as a Raven.
Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely form a dynamic duo at tight end.
Baltimore’s defense has been well below average, considering their past standards, giving up 25.3 points a game, which is ranked 25th, and dead last in pass defense, allowing 294.9 yards a game.
The Pittsburgh offense, under Russell Wilson, is scoring 30.3 points a game since he took over for Justin Fields.
With the way George Pickens has looked with Wilson under center, combined with the addition of Mike Williams, who had a touchdown in his Steelers debut last week, the Pittsburgh passing offense could be in line to post big numbers this Sunday.
“We’ve got guys that can make plays,” said Wilson. “I like to facilitate the ball to different guys in different moments.”
Najee Harris continues to run like a man playing for respect and a new contract. Though he only had 53 yards on the ground last week, Harris ran hard and earned every yard, as the Commanders did as much as they could in limiting the Pittsburgh run game. Harris had previously broken 100 yards rushing the three previous games.
Jaylen Warren was the team leader last week with 67 yards, averaging 4.7 yards a pop, but he is questionable to play, so at worst, Harris, along with Cordarrelle Patterson, will give the Baltimore defense two different styles to stop.
“I think that we can definitely score points,” said Wilson. “and we can do some special things.”
As stated above, winning this game starts with keeping Jackson at bay, something the Steelers somehow always do when these two teams meet.
Jackson is 1-3 against Pittsburgh, with just four touchdowns passes to seven interceptions.
“I think we’ve always known how dangerous he is,” said Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. “He can beat you running. He can beat you throwing. They’ve really done a good job of surrounding him with really good people. Obviously, the big running back makes a huge difference because of his home-run ability. There’s a reason why they’re No. 1 in quite a few categories, in terms of offensive production. So it’s going to be a really good test in terms of how we hold up versus this.”
The key will be keeping Jackson in the pocket, which means the defensive line has to stay in front of the star quarterback, not necessarily trying to sack him, but keep him bottled up until T.J. Watt, Nick Herbig (if he returns), or Preston Smith can get to Jackson and lay the wood to him.
Joey Porter, Jr., who didn’t have his best day last week covering Terry McLaurin, will have his hands when covering Zay Flowers, and preventing him from making splash plays downfield. Then you have the linebackers and middle secondary keeping an eye on both Andrews and Likely.
Oh, and let’s not forget about Henry… gang tackling him and limiting big gains rushing are easier said than done, but there is a reason the Pittsburgh defense is ranked 2nd, giving up just 16.2 points a game, and just 87.1 yards on the ground.
It’s going to be an epic game, and unlike past games in which scoring was limited, this one could be high scoring and come down to who has the ball last. However, Baltimore has yet to face as good a defense as the Steelers possess, so it’s going to be fun seeing the unstoppable force meet the immovable object.
Top to bottom, Pittsburgh has the more balanced team, and this Sunday, they’re going to be playing in front of a rabid SteelerNation crowd that will be juiced for this game.
The ultimate goal is keeping Baltimore under 28 points, which I think this defense can accomplish, which is good, because I fully believe the Pittsburgh offense can light up Baltimore’s defense for more than 30, just like the Bengals (34 & 38), Browns (well, almost at 29), and Buccaneers (31) all did.
In Russ We Trust… two will enter the ring, one will be left standing.
That will be the Steelers.
Prediction: Steelers 31 Ravens 27
Pittsburgh Steelers (7-2) vs Baltimore Ravens (7-3)
- NFL Week 11
Vegas line: Baltimore -3
Game-time: Sunday, November 17th, at 1:00 PM
Venue: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA.
- Field: Natural Grass
Weather at kickoff: 55 and partly cloudy. Winds out of the SSW at 5-10 MPH.
Broadcast 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: Rob King (play-by-play) Craig Wolfley (analyst) | Max Starks & Missi Matthews (sideline)
National Radio: Compass Media Networks
- Announcers: Chris Carrino (play-by-play) Brian Baldinger (analyst)
Internet broadcast: Steelers Nation Radio (SNR) on Steelers.com
NFL Links
Scouting the Pittsburgh Steelers
Overall record: 7-2 (1st in AFC North)
Last Game: Pittsburgh 28 Washington 27
Head Coach: Mike Tomlin
- 18th Season with Steelers
- Overall regular-season record: 180-102-2
- Playoff record: 8-10 (Qualified for playoffs 11 times)
Team Links
- Pittsburgh Steelers Team Roster
- Steelers Team/Individual Statistics
- Pittsburgh Steelers 2024 Schedule
Steelers Offense
- Offensive Coordinator: Arthur Smith
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 23.9 (12th)
- Total yards per game: 326.3 (18th)
- Passing yards per game: 188 (26th)
- Rushing yards per game: 138.3 (8th)
QUARTERBACK
Russell Wilson | #3
Wilson made his Steelers debut in Prime Time against the Jets, and did not disappoint. Now he has the Steelers primed for a run at the AFC North Title.
Passing Yards: 737 | TD Passes: 6 | INT’s: 1 | Sacked: 8
Rushing Yards: 13 | Rushing TD’s: 1
Back-up: Justin Fields | #2
Fields did all he could with Wilson out, but now takes a backseat for the time being. Should see playing time in certain situations, especially in the red zone.
Passing Yards: 1,166 | TD Passes: 5 | INT’s: 1 | Sacked: 16
Rushing Yards: 231 | Rushing TD’s: 5
RUNNING BACKS
Najee Harris | #22
Harris has a bruising style of carrying the ball with a touch of finesse when needed. Good hands out of the backfield. Currently 15th in the league in rushing yards.
Rushing Yards: 645 | Rushing TD’s: 3
Receptions: 17 | Receiving Yards: 152 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Jaylen Warren | #30
Warren is a wrecking ball that always seems to get positive yardage. He is a perfect change of pace back next to Harris and should see a minimum of 5-10 carries a game when healthy.
Rushing Yards: 217 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 14 | Receiving Yards: 96 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Cordarrelle Patterson | #84
Patterson sees plenty of time on special teams, but with his speed and game-breaking ability, has also been utilized in both rushing and catching passes out of the backfield behind Warren and Harris.
Rushing Yards: 106 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 5 | Receiving Yards: 34 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Aaron Shampklin | #33
Rushing Yards: 17 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WIDE RECEIVERS
George Pickens | #14
Pickens is undoubtedly the top receiving threat in the Pittsburgh passing game. With Wilson under center, could be poised to dominate.
Receptions: 40 | Receiving Yards: 639 | Receiving TD’s: 2
Van Jefferson | #11
Jefferson signed with this team and seemed nothing more than an afterthought. His hard work and effort throughout camp and preseason impressed many, and now looks rejuvenated with Wilson as QB.
Receptions: 14 | Receiving Yards: 139 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Mike Williams | #18
Strong, physical receiver that will try to get his career back on track with the Steelers. Saw one pass last week against the Commanders and it was a mesmerizing touchdown.
Receptions: 13 | Receiving Yards: 198 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Calvin Austin III | #19
Austin III has plenty of skills to shine in this league. Now starting to be a factor with Wilson throwing him the ball.
Receptions: 16 | Receiving Yards: 277 | Receiving TD’s: 2
Roman Wilson* | #10
Wilson, the rookie out of Michigan, has been waiting to show off his skills after being injured ankle early in training camp. Finally made his debut against Las Vegas but did not get a pass thrown his direction.
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Scotty Miller | #13
Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 31 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Brandon Johnson | #89
Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 9 | Receiving TD’s: 0
TIGHT ENDS
Pat Freiermuth | #88
Freiermuth became an afterthought in the offense under Matt Canada, but under Arthur Smith, the talented tight end out of Penn State could be headed for a career year in receptions.
Receptions: 29 | Receiving Yards: 281 | Receiving TD’s: 3
Conner Heyward | #83
Heyward is a jack of all trades, lining up at tight end, full back, and anywhere the team needs him to take advantage of his versatility.
Receptions: 4 | Receiving Yards: 29 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Darnell Washington | #80
Mount Washington is an imposing figure that could see plenty of looks inside the redzone, as he did when he caught his first career touchdown pass vs the Broncos in week two.
Receptions: 12 | Receiving Yards: 126 | Receiving TD’s: 1
MyCole Pruitt | #81
Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 19 | Receiving TD’s: 0
OFFENSIVE LINE
LT: Dan Moore| #65
LG: Isaac Seumalo | #73
C: Zach Frazier | #62
RG: Mason McCormick | #66
RT: Broderick Jones | #77
*Injured/Out
Steelers Defense
- Defensive Coordinator: Teryl Austin
- Defensive System: 3-4
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 16.2 (2nd)
- Total offensive yards per game allowed: 302.6 (8th)
- Passing yards allowed: 215.5 (19th)
- Rushing yards allowed: 87.1 (4th)
- Sacks: 22 (18th)
- Interceptions: 10 (6th)
DEFENSIVE LINE
DT: Cam Heyward | #97
Tackles: 35 | Sacks: 5
NT: Keeanu Benton | #95
Tackles: 17 | Sacks: 0
DE: Larry Ogunjobi | #99
Tackles: 25 | Sacks: 1.5
LINEBACKERS
OLB: T.J. Watt | #90
Tackles: 33 | Sacks: 6.5
ILB: Patrick Queen | #6
Tackles: 62 | Sacks: 0
ILB: Elandon Roberts | #50
Tackles: 25 | Sacks: 1
OLB: Nick Herbig | #51
Tackles: 8 | Sacks: 2.5
SECONDARY
CB: Joey Porter, Jr. | #24
Tackles: 38 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
FS: Minkah Fitzpatrick | #39
Tackles: 51 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
SS: DeShon Elliot | #25
Tackles: 64 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
CB: Donte Jackson | #26
Tackles: 26 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 3
Steelers Special Teams
PLACEKICKER
Chris Boswell | #9
Extra Points: 20-20
Field Goals: 23-24
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 7-7
- 30-39 yards: 5-5
- 40-49 yards: 5-5
- 50+ yards: 6-7
KICKOFF RETURNER
Cordarrelle Patterson | #84
Average: 20.3 | TD Returns: 0
PUNT RETURNER
Calvin Austin III | #19
Average: 11.9 | TD Returns: 1
Scouting the Baltimore Ravens
Overall record: 7-2 (2nd in AFC North)
Last game: Baltimore 35 Cincinnati 34
Head Coach: John Harbaugh
- 17th Season with Baltimore
- Overall regular-season record: 167-102 | 167-102 with Ravens
- Playoff Record: 12-10
Team Links
Ravens Offense
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 31.8 (1st)
- Total Offense per game: 440.2 (1st)
- Passing yards per game: 257.6 (3rd)
- Rushing yards per game: 182.6 (1st)
QUARTERBACK
Lamar Jackson | #8
As usual, Jackson is having a MVP season, leading the Ravens top ranked offense with 2,669 yards passing with 24 touchdowns and just two interceptions. When he breaks out of the pocket, he’s one of the most dangerous runners ever, and so far this season, has rushed for 538 yards and another two touchdowns.
Passing Yards: 2,669 | TD Passes: 24 | INT’s: 2 | Sacked: 13
Rushing Yards: 538 | Rushing TD’s: 2
Back-up: Josh Johnson | #17
Passing Yards: 1 | TD Passes: 0 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 0
Rushing Yards: 2 | Rushing TD’s: 0
RUNNING BACKS
Derrick Henry | #22
Henry, just like his days as a Titan, continues to be one of the most dynamic backs in the NFL. His rare blend of speed and power has led him to rush for 1,120 yards on the ground and 12 touchdowns, both tops in the NFL.
Rushing Yards: 1,120 | Rushing TD’s: 12
Receptions: 10 | Receiving Yards: 96 | Receiving TD’s: 2
Justice Hill | #43
Hills provides a change of pace now and then, but is best utilized catching passes out of the backfield, as evident by his 27 receptions for 272 yards.
Rushing Yards: 117 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 27 | Receiving Yards: 272 | TD’s: 2
Keaton Mitchell | #34
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WIDE RECEIVERS
Zay Flowers | #4
Flowers has become Jackson’s favorite weapon, catching a team leading 50 passes for 688 yards and three touchdowns.
Receptions: 50 | Receiving Yards: 688 | Receiving TD’s: 3
Rushing Yards: 47 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Rashod Bateman | #7
Bateman may not be flashy, but he’s having a solid year with 31 catches for 501 yards and four touchdowns.
Receptions: 31 | Receiving Yards: 501 | Receiving TD’s: 4
Diontae Johnson | #18
Johnson, the former Steeler, has had a quiet debut with Baltimore, catching just one pass for six yards, after being acquired from Carolina via trade.
Receptions: 31 | Receiving Yards: 363 | Receiving TD’s: 3
Nelson Agholor | #15
Receptions: 13 | Receiving Yards: 205 | Receiving TD’s: 2
Tylan Wallace | #16
Receptions: 5 | Receiving Yards: 146 | Receiving TD’s: 1
TIGHT ENDS
Mark Andrews | #89
Andrews continues to be one of the best tight ends in the game, and is 3rd on the team with 30 catches for 357 yards and a team leading five touchdowns.
Receptions: 30 | Receiving Yards: 357 | Receiving TD’s: 5
Isaiah Likely | #80
Likely is yet another weapon at tight end, and is hopeful to play after missing the last game.
Receptions: 24 | Receiving Yards: 271 | Receiving TD’s: 3
Charlie Kollar | #88
Receptions: 8 | Receiving Yards: 125 | Receiving TD’s: 1
*Injured/out
Ravens Defense
- Defensive System: 3-4
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 25.3 (25th)
- Total offensive yards per game allowed: 367.9 (27th)
- Passing yards allowed: 294.9 (32nd)
- Rushing yards allowed: 73 (1st)
- Sacks: 30 (4th)
- Interceptions: 6 (15th)
DEFENSIVE LINE
LDE: Nnamdi Madubuike | #92
Tackles: 12 | Sacks: 2
DT: Travis Jones | #98
Tackles: 18 | Sacks: 1.5
RDE: Broderick Washington | #96
Tackles: 20 | Sacks: 1
LINEBACKERS
WLB: Odafe Oweh | #99
Tackles: 54 | Sacks: 4 | INT:0
LILB: Roquan Smith| #0
Tackles: 76 | Sacks: 2 | INT: 0
RILB: Trenton Simpson | #23
Tackles: 20 | Sacks: 6.5 | INT: 1
SLB: Kyle Van Noy | #53
Tackles: 20 | Sacks: 6.5 | INT: 1
SECONDARY
LCB: Nate Wiggins | #2
Tackles: 42 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
SS: Kyle Hamilton | #14
Tackles: 47 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
FS: Marcus Williams | #32
Tackles: 45 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
RCB: Brandon Stephens | #21
Tackles: 41 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
Ravens Special Teams
PLACEKICKER
Justin Tucker | #3
Extra Points: 37-38
Field Goals: 15-19
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 3-3
- 30-39 yards: 5-5
- 40-49 yards: 4-5
- 50+ yards: 2-5
KICKOFF RETURNER
Justice Hill| #43
Average: 31.3 | TD Returns: 0
PUNT RETURNER
Deonte Hardy | #3
Average: 10.6 | TD Returns: 0
Steelers vs Ravens History
Series History: Began in 1996
Overall Record: 35-25
- Home: 20-12
- Away: 14-13
- Postseason: 3-1
Streak: Pittsburgh won the last three games.
Last regular-season meeting: Steelers Win, 17-10 (Jan. 6, 2024)
Last postseason meeting: Ravens Win, 30-17 (Jan. 3, 2015)
Injury Report (11/16/24)
Pittsburgh Steelers
IR: P Cam Johnson, OL Troy Fautanu (Knee)
Out: LB Alex Highsmith (ankle), CB C.J. Henderson (neck)
Doubtful: TE MyCole Pruitt
Questionable: RB Jaylen Warren (back), CB Cory Trice (hamstring)
Baltimore Ravens
IR: N/A
Out: CB Arthur Maulet (Calf)
Doubtful: None
Questionable: DT Travis Jones (Ankle)
Pittsburgh Steelers Schedule
2024 REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE (7-2)
Sun. Sept. 8: at Atlanta (W, 18-10)
Sun. Sept. 15: at Denver (W, 13-6)
Sun. Sept. 22: L.A. Chargers (W, 20-10)
Sun. Sept. 29: at Indianapolis (L, 24-27)
Sun. Oct. 6: Dallas (L, 17-20)
Sun. Oct. 13: at Las Vegas (W, 32-13)
Sun. Oct. 20: N.Y. Jets W, 37-15
Mon. Oct. 28: N.Y. Giants W, 26-18
BYE WEEK
Sun. Nov. 10: at Washington W, 28-27
Sun. Nov. 17: Baltimore 1 p.m.
Thur. Nov. 21: at Cleveland* 8:15 p.m.
Sun. Dec. 1: at Cincinnati* 1 p.m.
Sun. Dec. 8: Cleveland* 1 p.m.
Sun. Dec. 15: at Philadelphia* 4:25 p.m.
Sat. Dec. 21: at Baltimore* 4:30 p.m.
Wed. Dec. 25: Kansas City* TBD
* Game time/day subject to change
Author Profile
- Your source for Pittsburgh sports!
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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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