By: Jonathan Clark
SteelerNation.com
It’s Ravens week. Not the Ravens week we were expecting, but it’s what we have been given. After the rescheduled Thanksgiving Night game, the Pittsburgh Steelers will now play on Sunday at 1:15 pm EST, still being broadcasted on NBC nationally. Yes, we all still get to watch our beloved Steelers but many, including myself, would have loved to end the holiday watching Steeler football.
While the timing may be different, the game remains the same and this week is no exception. Ravens week is a week like no other. There is a reason why this week bears a certain toughness to it. It’s built with a rich tradition of winning football cultures battling it out each week trying to claim that AFC North crown. Although the Steelers do have a four-game lead on Baltimore in the AFC North, it would be nice to up that lead to five and get one step closer to seeing those rat-birds eliminated.
Matchups are always a huge part of a game. Everyone focuses on certain matchups as ones that could have a significant impact on the outcome of the game. The one that has the greatest effect in this match up has to be the Steelers wide receiver group vs the well respected Baltimore Ravens secondary.
The matchups line up, Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool have been off to extremely hot starts, both of them playing at a Pro Bowl level and is a great sign to see for years to come. JuJu Smith-Schuster seems to have filled his role in this football team nicely as well. He’s a great third down option that will fight for those extra yards needed for the first down. Opposite of these talented players on the other side of the football, the Ravens will go out on Sunday with a secondary of Marlon Humphrey, Marcus Peters and Jimmy Smith (2 of the 3 have been selected to a Pro Bowl). These guys match up with our receivers well. Our guys are young but are flooded with talent and these Ravens cornerbacks have the talent and the resume to back themselves up.
Oct 6, 2019; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (19) runs after a catch against Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey (44) during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Together, all three Steelers WRs mentioned have combined for a total of 146 catches for 1,631 yards and 17 touchdowns. Claypool, who has 8 TD’s, is making a name for himself and is at the top of the list for the NFL Rookie of the Year Award, while Diontae Johnson seems to be getting better and better each week. The Steelers are giving #18 a chance and he is taking advantage of it. I think we will see a lot of Marcus Peters guarding Johnson possibly following him across the field no matter where he ends up. Which if Johnson can again take advantage of another opportunity, then people should start recognizing him as a rising star in this league more often.
It will be exciting to see how QB Ben Roethlisberger can maneuver his way around this highly regarded Ravens defense. It’ll be interesting to see who he targets more in this ball game. Last time these two teams played, the passing game was not at it’s best. Big Ben threw for only 182 yards on only 32 attempts. JuJu was the leading receiver with 7 receptions for 67 yards. I expect much of that to change this week, due to the momentum it seems like this passing offense has had over the last few weeks. Baltimore won’t go down easy, but we are always ready for a fight.
Nov 4, 2018; Baltimore, MD, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) stiff arms Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker C.J. Mosley (57) during the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Let us know which Steelers WR will have the biggest game! Comment below!
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