The Pittsburgh Steelers rookie Quarterback Kenny Pickett will get his first opportunity to play the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday at 1 p.m. Pickett will have the advantage of opening his introduction to the rivalry at home in front of a friendly crowd at Acrisure Stadium. The Steelers need to win the game to extend their current win streak to three games and the rookie signal caller’s performance will go a long way in determining the outcome.
Photo Credit: Baltimore Ravens YouTube Channel
John Harbaugh addressed the media in Baltimore and talked about Pickett and what his potential for success was in the bitter rivalry. Harbaugh is a veteran coach who has led the Ravens since 2008. He is the brother of Jim Harbaugh, the current Michigan Wolverines head coach, and has posted a 145-92 record and won a Super Bowl during his tenure.
“He’s doing well, looks good,” Harbaugh said about Pickett. “A very talented guy obviously befitting the first round pick you know that they took him with this year. That’s our challenge, along with that whole offense. Big physical offensive line obviously, downhill running back, great pass catching tight end and three pretty good receivers, got our work cut out for us.”
The response seemed scripted by the veteran coach. This rivalry is so intense that he knows better than to post bulletin board material for the Steelers, but it feels a little too cookie-cutter. The Steelers' offensive line has drawn criticism throughout the season and Harbaugh seems to gloss over the receiving corps and the Chase Claypool trade. The Steelers have not established a third wide receiver since the trade at the deadline.
Photo Credit: Pittsburgh Steelers YouTube Channel
Pickett has played turnover-free football since the bye week, and it has been a huge key in the Steelers going 3-1 in that stretch. The Baltimore Ravens defense is very opportunistic and does a good job of generating turnovers. The Ravens have generated 20 turnovers in 12 games and are plus six overall which is good enough for fourth in the NFL. The Baltimore defense has split those turnovers very evenly between 11 interceptions and nine fumble recoveries.
The rookie will have to mind his Ps and Qs on Sunday to post another turnover-free game against the veteran Ravens defense. Pickett to his credit seems very focused on the number one issue at hand when Pittsburgh meets Baltimore and that is ball security.
“They ball search, and they have guys on all three levels that hunt the football,” Pickett said in regard to preparing for the Ravens defense. “Our D did a really good job giving us that look, and I think they will all week. It’s just something we have to be self-conscious of throughout the game like we have been doing but we know it’s a taller order this week with how much they hunt the football.”
Pickett has an opportunity to establish himself this week against a wounded Ravens team that will be missing Lamar Jackson and potentially the very talented linebacker Patrick Queen. The Steelers have rediscovered an effective running game and could potentially take advantage of play action against an aggressive veteran defense that may feel it has an edge against the rookie by overwhelming him with pressure. Taking advantage of an aggressive defense by attacking them on first downs could be a huge opportunity early in the game if Matt Canada chooses to exploit it.
The Ravens' Haloti Ngata, not pictured, broke Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's nose, but Pittsburgh pulled out a 13-10 victory at M&T Bank Stadium on Dec. 5, 2010. (Photo Credit: McClatchy-Tribune photo)
Ben Roethlisberger dominated the Ravens during his time in Pittsburgh and often in those matchups a punt was a good result. Pickett will likely face more all-out pressure than Roethlisberger ever did, and how he handles the blitz will go a long way in deciding this matchup. The two teams both play hard-nosed physical defense and traditionally are excellent at not only turning teams over but converting turnovers into points. The winner of the turnover battle usually wins this matchup so the rookie's ability to play clean will probably decide the game.
What do you think Steeler Nation? Is Kenny Pickett ready for the pressure of playing the Baltimore Ravens? Comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
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