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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
When the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens meet up, it’s always a marquee match-up.
No matter what the records are, when these two bitter rivals face-off, you can expect a physical, pulse pounding game that almost always comes down to the final quarter before the game is decided.
Expect nothing less this Saturday afternoon, as the Steelers (10-4) will try to secure the AFC North Division title with a win, or the Ravens (9-5) could pull even with Pittsburgh if they win, and force the Steelers to win out to claim the North.
The task at hand for the Steelers won’t be easy, as they will be missing their best play-maker in wide receiver George Pickens, who will miss his 3rd straight game with a hamstring injury, and will likely be be without a key member of the secondary in DeShon Elliiot, who is listed as doubtful.
Pittsburgh quarterback Russell Wilson will have to find a way to generate offense through the air with the likes of Calvin Austin III, Van Jefferson, Mike Williams, Scotty Miller, and Ben Skowronek at receiver.
Austin is at best a number three at the position, while the rest, other than Williams, play with plenty of heart, but lack the total talent to make a big difference.
It would be nice to see the Steelers, who traded a 5th round pick to the Jets, to get more production out of Williams, who has the physicality to make splash plays downfield if given the opportunity.
It’s beyond frustrating to see third round pick Roman Wilson continue to be on a milk carton, when his talent is sorely needed with Pickens sidelined, but for whatever reason, Steelers head Coach Mike Tomlin and the rest of the staff have made Wilson a forgotten commodity.
Russ Wilson does have a nifty weapon in tight end Pat Freiermuth, if offensive coordinator Arthur Smith can draw up some plays to get Freiermuth the ball as often as he should be getting, just as the 49ers with George Kittle, the Raiders with Brock Bowers, and yes… the Ravens with Mark Andrews all do.
Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren will have to elevate their games as well, in both running the ball, and catching a few passes out of the backfield to energize an offense that is desperately missing Pickens and his game breaking plays.
Last time out, the Steelers were able to squeak out an 18-16 victory over Baltimore five weeks ago, and that was with a fully healthy offense, and a game that saw Baltimore Justin Tucker miss two field goals in.
On the flip side of the ball, the Steelers defensive game plan starts and ends with containing Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, who is having another MVP season.
All Jackson has done is throw for 3,580 yards with 44 touchdowns and just three interceptions. He’s also rushed for 743 yards and an additional three touchdowns.
Yet when he faces the Pittsburgh defense, it’s like Superman getting surrounded by Kryptonite.
“He’s a great player. He’s the best in the world, honestly, at what he does,” said Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen in regards to Jackson. “Anytime you’ve got to prepare for a guy like that, I’m sitting there watching film like, he’s making plays, he’s making plays, but me knowing the type of player that I am, I want to try to stop that. It’s the competitive nature with me. This is going to be a game where everybody is going to have make their plays, and whoever makes the most plays is going to win it.”
If stopping Jackson isn’t enough, you have the league’s 2nd leading rusher in Derrick Henry, who has run for 1,474 yards and 13 touchdowns, which tops in the NFL.
The 3rd ranked Ravens offense, is averaging 29.9 points a game.
Jackson’s top receiver is Zay Flowers, who has caught 66 passes for 916 yards and four touchdowns. Rashod Bateman is having a solid year behind Flowers, with 38 receptions for 654 yards and seven touchdowns. Behind those two, it gets a little murky, with just Nelson Agholor averaging just 16.5 yards a game.
Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely form a dynamic duo at tight end, with Andrews catching 45 passes for 514 yards and a team leading eight touchdowns, while Likely has caught 35 balls for 401 yards and four TD’s.
Baltimore’s defense has been well below average, considering their past standards, giving up 23.7 points a game, which is ranked 23rd, and 2nd to last in pass defense, allowing 258.9 yards a game.
It would be steak and lobster if the Steelers could somehow defy the odds and stun the Ravens this weekend.
It would give the AFC North to Pittsburgh, and basically green light Tomlin to stick it to the NFL on Christmas Day, by giving him the option in resting the majority of his starters against Kansas City, that would be their 3rd game in eleven days.
It would behoove this team to get on track offensively from their first possession.
“We’re like an old pickup truck,” offensive coordinator Arthur Smith said. “Like, we’ll run well and we’re pretty damn good … sometimes it just takes a little while to crank the engine. And we’ve got to find a way to get some jumper cables.”
Unfortunately, slows starts and settling for field goals could doom this game, as you figure that Jackson and Baltimore offense is going to find a way to breakout one of these times against Pittsburgh.
“I think the most important thing is we’ve got to focus on now,” said Wilson. “We don’t have time to even think about last week. I think the most important thing coming out of it though is that we’ve got to get ourselves the best chance to win. When we put ourselves in good situations, go and capitalize on them. We’re going to have to play our best football. It’s going to be a great game.
“First of all, we got to be able to calm the nerves early and the excitement. We have to be able to play and think clearly, efficiently and effectively. But yet play with an edge. I think that’s really important. We’ve got to do the fundamental things. This is a playoff a matchup. There’s going to be highs and there’s going to be lows. We just have to stay neutral. It’s a four quarter game for a reason. We’re going to battle our way through it.”
Fortunately, Pittsburgh will have the services of T.J. Watt, who left the game late last week against the Eagles. He will be key in limiting Jackson from being his usual supernatural self.
“To have a player the caliber of his, with what he does for our defense and all the plays that he makes, it’s huge, especially all the plays he’s made in this rivalry,” said Pittsburgh linebacker Alex Highsmith. “It’s definitely super important that we have him out there.”
Despite what the stats showed last week in their 27-13 loss to Philadelphia, you also have to peel back the layers of the onion to see the little things that allowed that game to get away from the Steelers.
First and foremost, the Steelers were completely screwed out of a 2nd and three situation from the four yard line, instead getting 2nd and 18 from the 19 yard line, after the referees incredibly called two personal fouls on the Steelers and none on the Eagles, after several punches were thrown in that end zone scrum. The Steelers ended up with a field goal instead of a possible touchdown that would have been huge in that moment.
Incidentally, that Ref Crew has been suspended.
The fumble by Najee Harris was a game killer as well, with the Steelers driving the ball well against the Eagles on that drive, and ending the Steelers chances at tying the game at 20-20.
In other words, a few plays here, a few horrible penalties not going against the Steelers, and that entire outcome could’ve been different.
That’s how thin the line is between victory and defeat in the NFL. Add in the losses of three key players, and you get the result you witnessed.
To put it mildly, in this game in Baltimore, there is pretty much zero room for mistakes or bad calls if Pittsburgh expects to stun the Ravens once again.
Can it happen?
Yes.
Will it happen…?
Despite the overwhelming adversity, the Steelers will come into this game focused, and with a purpose to put it all out there, win the division, and then coast til the playoffs.
Wilson takes this team on his back and utilizes the limited weapons he has to a 200 yard passing day with a touchdown, while Harris and Warren keep the Baltimore defense busy with a strong game on the ground.
Watt and Highsmith make Jackson’s day a miserable one yet again, and the Steelers take the Raven’s hearts once again.
Prediction: Steelers 24 Ravens 20
Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4) at Baltimore Ravens (9-5)
- NFL Week 16
Vegas line: Baltimore -6.5
Game-time: Saturday, December 21st, at 4:30 PM
Venue: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD.
- Field: GN Bermuda Grass
Weather at kickoff: 39 and mostly sunny. Winds out of the NW at 15-25 MPH.
Broadcast Information
TV: Fox (Local: WPGH-TV channel 803 on Xfinity)
- Announcers: Kevin Burkhardt (play-by-play) Tom Brady (analyst) | Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi (field reporters)
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: Westwood One
- Announcers: Scott Graham (play-by-play) Mike Mayock (analyst)
Internet broadcast: Steelers Nation Radio (SNR) on Steelers.com
NFL Links
Scouting the Pittsburgh Steelers
Overall record: 10-4 (1st in AFC North)
Last Game: Philadelphia 27 Pittsburgh 13
Head Coach: Mike Tomlin
- 18th Season with Steelers
- Overall regular-season record: 183-104-2
- 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: 24 (10th)
- Total yards per game: 325.6 (18th)
- Passing yards per game: 198.9 (24th)
- Rushing yards per game: 126.6 (10th)
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 the AFC North Title if they can defeat the Ravens again.
Passing Yards: 1,912 | TD Passes: 12 | INT’s: 3 | Sacked: 21
Rushing Yards: 57 | 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: 1,106 | TD Passes: 5 | INT’s: 1 | Sacked: 16
Rushing Yards: 289 | 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.
Rushing Yards: 891 | Rushing TD’s: 5
Receptions: 30 | Receiving Yards: 256 | 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: 371 | Rushing TD’s: 1
Receptions: 28 | Receiving Yards: 225 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Cordarrelle Patterson | #84
Patterson sees plenty of time on special teams, but has also been utilized in both rushing and catching passes out of the backfield behind Warren and Harris.
Rushing Yards: 132 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 11 | Receiving Yards: 68 | 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, he has been one of the best receivers in the game. Out again this week with a hamstring.
Receptions: 55 | Receiving Yards: 850 | Receiving TD’s: 3
Calvin Austin III | #19
Austin III has plenty of skills to shine in this league. 2nd on the team with four touchdown receptions.
Receptions: 28 | Receiving Yards: 452 | Receiving TD’s: 4
Van Jefferson | #11
Jefferson makes the most of his chances when called upon.
Receptions: 19 | Receiving Yards: 231 | Receiving TD’s: 2
Mike Williams | #18
Williams has yet to become a factor as a Steeler. Has been used sparingly, despite his down field abilities. It’s time to get him more involved down field.
Receptions: 5 | Receiving Yards: 83 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Scotty Miller | #13
Receptions: 5 | Receiving Yards: 69 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Ben Skowronek | #15
Receptions: 3 | Receiving Yards: 44 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Roman Wilson* | #10
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
TIGHT ENDS
Pat Freiermuth | #88
Freiermuth is 2nd on the team with 47 receptions, and leads the team with six touchdown receptions.
Receptions: 47 | Receiving Yards: 492 | Receiving TD’s: 6
Darnell Washington | #80
Mount Washington is an imposing figure that has become a solid part of the passing game. God help any corner he happens to be bearing down upon on catching a swing pass in the flat.
Receptions: 18 | Receiving Yards: 192 | Receiving TD’s: 1
MyCole Pruitt | #81
Receptions: 5 | Receiving Yards: 39 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Conner Heyward | #83
Receptions: 4 | Receiving Yards: 29 | Receiving TD’s: 1
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: 18.9 (6th)
- Total offensive yards per game allowed: 316.6 (9th)
- Passing yards allowed: 222.2 (22nd)
- Rushing yards allowed: 94.3 (4th)
- Sacks: 35 (14th)
- Interceptions: 15 (3rd)
DEFENSIVE LINE
DT: Cam Heyward | #97
Tackles: 60 | Sacks: 8
NT: Keeanu Benton | #95
Tackles: 27 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
DE: Larry Ogunjobi | #99
Tackles: 37 | Sacks: 1.5
LINEBACKERS
OLB: T.J. Watt | #90
Tackles: 54 | Sacks: 11.5
ILB: Patrick Queen | #6
Tackles: 109 | Sacks: 0
ILB: Elandon Roberts | #50
Tackles: 39 | Sacks: 1
OLB: Alex Highsmith | #56
Tackles: 30 | Sacks: 5
SECONDARY
CB: Joey Porter, Jr. | #24
Tackles: 61 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
FS: Minkah Fitzpatrick | #39
Tackles: 80 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
SS: DeShon Elliot | #25
Tackles: 96 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
CB: Donte Jackson | #26
Tackles: 34 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 5
Steelers Special Teams
PLACEKICKER
Chris Boswell | #9
Extra Points: 30-30
Field Goals: 38-41
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 9-9
- 30-39 yards: 11-11
- 40-49 yards: 7-8
- 50+ yards: 11-13
KICKOFF RETURNER
Cordarrelle Patterson | #84
Average: 22.6 | TD Returns: 0
PUNT RETURNER
Calvin Austin III | #19
Average: 11.3 | TD Returns: 1
Scouting the Baltimore Ravens
Overall record: 9-5 (2nd in AFC North)
Last game: Baltimore 35 NY Giants 14
Head Coach: John Harbaugh
- 17th Season with Baltimore
- Overall regular-season record: 169-104 | 169-104 with Ravens
- Playoff Record: 12-10
Team Links
Ravens Offense
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 29.9 (3rd)
- Total Offense per game: 424.1 (1st)
- Passing yards per game: 245.6 (4th)
- Rushing yards per game: 178.4 (2nd)
QUARTERBACK
Lamar Jackson | #8
As usual, Jackson is having a MVP season, leading the Ravens top ranked offense with 3,580 yards passing with 34 touchdowns and just three 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 743 yards and another three touchdowns.
Passing Yards: 3,580 | TD Passes: 34 | INT’s: 3 | Sacked: 21
Rushing Yards: 743 | Rushing TD’s: 3
Back-up: Josh Johnson | #17
Passing Yards: 1 | TD Passes: 0 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 1
Rushing Yards: 1 | 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 1,474 yards on the ground and 13 touchdowns, both 2nd in the NFL.
Rushing Yards: 1,474 | Rushing TD’s: 13
Receptions: 13 | Receiving Yards: 125 | 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 42 receptions for 383 yards.
Rushing Yards: 198 | Rushing TD’s: 1
Receptions: 42 | Receiving Yards: 383 | TD’s: 3
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: 66 | Receiving Yards: 916 | Receiving TD’s: 4
Rushing Yards: 47 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Rashod Bateman | #7
Bateman may not be flashy, but he’s having a solid year with 38 catches for 654 yards, and is 2nd on the team with seven touchdown receptions.
Receptions: 38 | Receiving Yards: 654 | Receiving TD’s: 7
Nelson Agholor | #15
Receptions: 14 | Receiving Yards: 231 | Receiving TD’s: 2
Tylan Wallace | #16
Receptions: 10 | Receiving Yards: 191 | 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 45 catches for 514 yards and a team leading eight touchdowns.
Receptions: 45 | Receiving Yards: 514 | Receiving TD’s: 8
Isaiah Likely | #80
Likely is yet another weapon at tight end, 4th on the team with 35 catches.
Receptions: 35 | Receiving Yards: 401 | Receiving TD’s: 4
Charlie Kollar | #88
Receptions: 9 | Receiving Yards: 131 | Receiving TD’s: 1
*Injured/out
Ravens Defense
- Defensive System: 3-4
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 23.7 (22nd)
- Total offensive yards per game allowed: 339.6 (17th)
- Passing yards allowed: 258.9 (31st)
- Rushing yards allowed: 80.1 (1st)
- Sacks: 43 (3rd)
- Interceptions: 8 (19th)
DEFENSIVE LINE
LDE: Nnamdi Madubuike | #92
Tackles: 31 | Sacks: 5
DT: Travis Jones | #98
Tackles: 34 | Sacks: 1
RDE: Broderick Washington | #96
Tackles: 18 | Sacks: 2
LINEBACKERS
WLB: Odafe Oweh | #99
Tackles: 33 | Sacks: 8 | INT:0
LILB: Roquan Smith| #0
Tackles: 126 | Sacks: 0.5 | INT: 1
RILB: Trenton Simpson | #23
Tackles: 69 | Sacks: 1.5 | INT: 0
SLB: Kyle Van Noy | #53
Tackles: 29 | Sacks: 9 | INT: 0
SECONDARY
LCB: Nate Wiggins | #2
Tackles: 25 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
SS: Kyle Hamilton | #14
Tackles: 94 | Sacks: 2 | INT: 0
FS: Ar’Darius Washington | #29
Tackles: 54 | Sacks: 1 | INT: 2
RCB: Brandon Stephens | #21
Tackles: 60 | Sacks: 1.5 | INT: 0
Ravens Special Teams
PLACEKICKER
Justin Tucker | #3
Extra Points: 47-49
Field Goals: 19-27
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 3-3
- 30-39 yards: 7-7
- 40-49 yards: 5-8
- 50+ yards: 4-9
KICKOFF RETURNER
Justice Hill| #43
Average: 36.6 | TD Returns: 0
PUNT RETURNER
Tylan Wallace | #16
Average: 11.2 | TD Returns: 0
Steelers vs Ravens History
Series History: Began in 1996
Overall Record: 36-25
- Home: 21-12
- Away: 14-13
- Postseason: 3-1
Streak: Pittsburgh won the last four games.
Last regular-season meeting: Steelers Win, 18-16 (Nov. 17, 2024)
Last postseason meeting: Ravens Win, 30-17 (Jan. 3, 2015)
Injury Report (12/19/24)
Pittsburgh Steelers
IR: P Cam Johnson, OL Troy Fautanu (Knee)
Out: QB Justin Fields (Abdominal), WR George Pickens (Hamstring)
Doubtful: S DeShon Elliott (Hamstring)
Questionable: CB Donte Jackson (Back), DT Larry Ogunjobi (Groin)
Baltimore Ravens
IR: N/A
Out: CB Jalyn Armour-Davis (Hamstring), WR Diontae Johnson (NIR – Personal), WR Nelson Agholor (Concussion)
Doubtful: None
Questionable: WR Rashod Bateman (Foot), G Daniel Faalele (Knee), OLB Odafe Oweh (Ankle)
Pittsburgh Steelers Schedule
2024 REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE (10-4)
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 (W, 18-16)
Thur. Nov. 21: at Cleveland (L, 19-24)
Sun. Dec. 1: at Cincinnati (W, 44-38)
Sun. Dec. 8: Cleveland (W- 27-14)
Sun. Dec. 15: at Philadelphia (L- 13-27)
Sat. Dec. 21: at Baltimore 4:30 p.m.
Wed. Dec. 25: Kansas City 4:30 p.m.
Sun. Jan. 5: Cincinnati* 1:00 p.m.
* Game time/day subject to change
Author Profile
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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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