The Pittsburgh Steelers will play their tenth sport of the 2024 common season on Sunday afternoon at dwelling towards the Baltimore Ravens. They’ll enter that contest as a slight underdog as effectively. Under are 5 key issues that I consider the Steelers might want to do to return away with their eighth win of the season.
Moonballs Early And Typically – Baltimore is permitting 294.9 passing yards per sport, a league-worst quantity, and that features 313 passing yards per sport over their final three video games. The Steelers’ offense has thrived with Russell Wilson beneath middle, as Wilson has thrown for 737 yards and 6 touchdowns within the three video games he’s began. With Baltimore’s struggles defending the move, the Steelers might want to take benefit early to get Baltimore on their heels.
Baltimore’s offense is potent, and Derrick Henry has been the perfect again in soccer this season. But when the Steelers have early success by means of the air and might construct a result in power Baltimore to throw greater than they’d like, momentum might flip in Pittsburgh’s favor. The Steelers have to look to get George Pickens concerned early whereas additionally wanting beneath to Pat Freiermuth to assist transfer the sticks. Making the most of Baltimore’s weak move protection is of utmost significance for the Steelers to win.
Don’t Let the Bomb Go Off – Mike Tomlin in contrast Ravens’ RB Derrick Henry to a bomb for his capacity to go off “at any time.” The Steelers can’t enable Henry to go off. The Steelers have traditionally executed job limiting Henry when he was a member of the Tennessee Titans, as he has seven carries for 32 yards, 20 carries for 75 yards and 17 carries for 75 yards in his three video games towards the Steelers.
However Pittsburgh hasn’t seen him in Baltimore’s system but, and Henry is enjoying the perfect soccer of his profession with 184 carries for 1,120 yards and 12 touchdowns this season. If the Ravens can management the sport on the bottom and win the possession battle, that’ll spell dangerous information for the Steelers. Pittsburgh’s been at their finest once they’re in a position to management the clock and get their protection off the sphere early whereas conserving them rested, and it’s a gaggle that might get worn down from coping with Henry if he will get going.
Henry getting going would additionally open issues up for Lamar Jackson, who’s enjoying at an MVP stage as soon as once more this season. Jackson is a large risk, however he turns into a much bigger one if Henry is ready to make an impression, too. The Steelers have to placed on their laborious hats and never let Henry be a difference-maker.
Large Recreation For Herbig – Nick Herbig needs to introduce himself the identical method James Harrison did towards the Ravens in 2007. Whereas Herbig isn’t an unknown commodity, and Steelers followers are effectively conscious of the impression he could make, an enormous sport in his return from damage could be useful. The Ravens are going to ship further assist for T.J. Watt, who will go up towards rookie RT Roger Rosengarten, whereas Herbig and Preston Smith can be lined up throughout from LT Ronnie Stanley. Stanley, now absolutely wholesome after coping with accidents over the previous few seasons, has had a powerful season, but when Herbig can play the way in which he did in Week 3 towards the Los Angeles Chargers, Pittsburgh can have a bonus.
Dropping Alex Highsmith is a troublesome blow for this week, particularly as a result of he was enjoying a number of the finest soccer of his profession since his return from his groin damage. Herbig doesn’t have to have the historic efficiency that Harrison did, but when he will help negate the lack of Highsmith with a sack and some pressures on Jackson, that might be big for the Steelers.
Be Prepared For Battle– It’s at all times a battle when the Steelers and Ravens play. Despite the fact that Pittsburgh has had Baltimore’s quantity recently with a 7-1 document within the final eight video games, it’s at all times a bodily battle. The Steelers have to set the tone early and be the extra bodily staff. There’s a special really feel round this Steelers staff this yr, and they should are available in and play with confidence and punch Baltimore within the mouth early.
It’s Pittsburgh’s first divisional sport of the season, whereas Baltimore has already performed the Browns and the Bengals twice. On condition that they have already got a style of AFC North soccer this yr, the Steelers can’t afford to return out and let Baltimore be the aspect that units the tone with physicality. The Steelers have loads of gamers who’ve skilled this rivalry from the opposite aspect, together with Patrick Queen and DeShon Elliott, and people two particularly ought to look to ship a message early towards their former staff.
Preserve Your Fingers To Your self– Joey Porter Jr. was referred to as for 3 defensive penalties towards the Washington Commanders in Week 10, and Porter and the remainder of the secondary might want to restrict penalties towards Baltimore. Zay Flowers is an explosive participant who will doubtless be matched up towards Porter for many of the sport, and Porter has to withstand the urge to seize and play clear soccer.
If Pittsburgh permits Baltimore to choose up chunk yardage by means of penalties, it’s going to be dangerous information towards a Ravens offense that actually doesn’t want any extra assist. Limiting penalties generally can be key, however the penalties actually can’t come on downfield passing performs that might flip the sphere.
