The Pittsburgh Steelers seemed to have found their stride at the right time. While still not 100 percent healthy, the defense is finding ways to get off the field when they need to. Meanwhile, the offense has made a complete turnaround since October and is looking better and better each game. A large part of that success has been Kenny Pickett, who has earned respect across the board for adapting so quickly to the NFL.
Steelers' Kenny Pickett (#8) celebrates with Najee Harris (#22) after a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Pittsburgh, PA. | Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
Just in the past four games alone, Pickett has thrown for 835 yards on 128 attempts with a pair of touchdowns and no interceptions. His combined quarterback rating (QBR) in that span is 85.9. But now that we are officially in December football, games and plays are amplified more than what Pickett has seen thus far. Not to mention, his proverbial ‘baptism’ into Steelers football begins this week: it’s Baltimore Ravens week.
Kenny Pickett Talks Preparation for First Career Ravens Week
There is no hiding the mutual levels of hatred, blended with respect, the Ravens and Steelers have for one another. The rivalry goes back decades and each matchup always seems to bring a lot at stake. This week is no different. The Ravens currently sit atop the AFC North division at 8-4 but are planning to be without Quarterback Lamar Jackson (knee) for this game. Meanwhile, the Steelers are still in the basement of the division at 5-7 but are trending in the right direction. So, what has to happen for Pickett and the Steelers to come away with another win this week? Pickett explained it comes down to something he’s excelled at throughout the season.
"Yeah, absolutely. They do a lot of really good things," Pickett said. "Their blitz package is pretty diverse."
"I think we do a great job of going through all the looks during the week," Pickett continued. "And just knowing our game plan and where I need to get the ball out if pressure comes up. I think that stuff all goes into it."
Steelers' Kenny Pickett (#8) makes a pass in Wednesday's practice for the Baltimore Ravens in Pittsburgh, PA. | Photo Credit: Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
In what used to be a “strength versus strength” heavy-weight battle in the trenches, this season’s Ravens week is going to look a bit different. The Ravens bring a defensive scheme into Pittsburgh that only blitzes just over 20 percent of the time.
However, they’ve been able to tally 37 sacks so far in the season, which is the fifth-highest in the league. This is simply a testament to their elite pass rush along the defensive front, thus not necessarily requiring them to bring extra defenders into the backfield. But with that said, there is a blueprint for Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada and Pickett to utilize to expose the Ravens’ defense. ESPN’s Seth Walder indicates a very favorable matchup between the Steelers’ receiving corps against the Ravens’ secondary.
Week 14 Receiver-Secondary RTM matchups.
— Seth Walder (@SethWalder) December 7, 2022
Logo indicates offensive advantage (or disadvantage) relative to defense they are facing, from offensive team's perspective. pic.twitter.com/s10hCGT10C
Pickett talked some about his growing relationship with Canada has helped and is continuing to help his game planning for this week.
“We connected pretty early on in high school. We have a really good relationship where we can talk about pretty much anything. We’re open and honest and he asks me what I see all the time," Pickett said. "I think that open line of communication is going to continue to improve and he’s very open to suggestions that we have as players, as staff. It’s a collective effort. It’s definitely cool to have an OC that’s open to that and not just close-minded. So, it’s a pretty good relationship he has with all of us.”
In last week's win against the Atlanta Falcons, rookie Receiver George Pickens was noticeably upset in his involvement on offense. In that game, he only logged one catch for two yards for the Steelers. In a stadium where Pickens saw a lot of action in college and had family and friends on hand to watch him return to Georgia, he had higher expectations for his performance. So much so, at the beginning of the fourth quarter, Pickens’ frustrations boiled over onto the sideline that included him yelling at the coaches to get him the ball and kicking his helmet on the ground. Pickett backed up one of his favorite receivers on Wednesday.
“Competitors, man. Everyone wants the ball, everyone wants to win. George is a competitor,” Pickett continued. “That’s the thing about receivers, is that you only get so many opportunities. That’s why we have to definitely take advantage of the little ones we do get.”
Steelers' Kenny Pickett (#8) and George Pickens (#14) celebrate a touchdown against the New York Jets in Pittsburgh, PA. | Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
Going back to Walder’s diagram above, Pickens is going to have a lot of opportunities against a Ravens’ secondary that allows an average of 248 yards per game through the air. It sounds like the Canada-and-Pickett connection has gotten stronger each week, and cohesion is happening amongst the offense and in the play-calling.
With a mere five games left in the season and a major need for a strong playoff push in December, that cohesion is critical in determining meaningful January football. It sounds like Pickens wants to help Pickett against the Ravens’ blitz on Sunday and Pickett is going to be looking for him down the field more than last week.
The Steelers are slated to take on the Ravens on Sunday at 1:00 EDT in Pittsburgh.
What are you looking for in practice this week? How do you think Pickett will do against the Ravens? Let us know in the comments below!
#SteelerNation
