Following their bye week, the Pittsburgh Steelers are set to return to the field this upcoming weekend and fly out to the West Coast where they will face the Los Angeles Rams. Holding a 3-3 record after a recent win, the Rams stand as formidable opponents. Although both teams appear to be evenly matched on paper, the Steelers' inconsistent performance throughout their initial five games introduces an element of unpredictability to the outcome.
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Rams star Aaron Donald destroys Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph in a regular season meeting between the two teams in 2019.
Currently, the Rams hold an advantage with Aaron Donald, a dominant player who has consistently wreaked havoc for the opposing team throughout his career. As they face their upcoming match, Donald will undoubtedly be eager to continue his disruptive performance and create lots of chaos for Pittsburgh.
After sitting out the last six games due to an ankle injury in the previous season, Donald has displayed remarkable performance in the current season. So far, he has accumulated 2.5 sacks, eight quarterback hits, and 22 hurries in the first six weeks of the season. In his most recent game against the Arizona Cardinals, Donald had two quarterback hits and five hurries.
Regarding Donald, Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett had the following to say.
“He showed me the way, how to train, how to work,” Pickett said. “There is a reason he is who he is. He works hard, showed me the ropes, showed me the way by how he works out at Pitt. I’m grateful for the experience I had with him.”
In his collegiate career, Pickett's performance as a senior earned him recognition as a Heisman Trophy finalist and caught the attention of Pittsburgh, who selected him in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Meanwhile, Donald showcased his talents as a defensive lineman in both the Big East and ACC conferences during his time at the University of Pittsburgh. While there, he exhibited an ability to wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks and running backs, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake.
University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Kenny Pickett during his time on the Pitt Panthers.
Donald's exceptional talents eventually led him to be named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year on three separate occasions and propelled him to two Super Bowl appearances, furthering his status as one of the most dominant and impactful defensive players in the league. With his unparalleled strength and strategic acumen, Donald effortlessly outsmarts and outmaneuvers his opponents, further cementing his status as an unstoppable force in the sport.
As Pickett steps onto the field on Sunday and takes his position behind the center, he is surely aware of Donald, whose mere presence exudes intimidation. Interestingly enough, this will only be the third instance where Donald has had the opportunity to face off against the Steelers. Donald is focused on adding to his season's sack count, knowing that Pickett has already endured significant pressure, having been sacked a total of 14 times in the previous five games played this year.
Protecting Steelers' Kenny Pickett From Donald
The Steelers have the opportunity to enhance the level of security for Pickett by implementing additional measures. An integral aspect of this may involve assigning a portion of the responsibility to running backs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. Opposing defenses have become well aware of the predictable pattern that emerges whenever Harris takes to the field. This is particularly noticeable when the team lines up under center, as it is almost a given that a rushing play will occur. Harris has gained a reputation for his ability to beat tackles, however, it is unfortunate that his efforts often only result in a modest two-yard gain.
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Steelers RB Najee Harris can catch the ball as well, as he has 115 receptions in his first two NFL campaigns.
During the Week 5 win against the Baltimore Ravens, both Harris and Warren effectively contributed to the team's success. Harris demonstrated his exceptional skills by consistently finding openings and gaining yardage by running the ball inside. On the other hand, Warren excelled in making impactful plays on the outside, particularly towards the latter part of the game. Their combined efforts played a crucial role in the team's overall performance and ultimately contributed to their victory.
How do you think the Steelers will perform this Sunday, especially facing someone as powerful as Donald? Will Harris and Warren be able to help Pickett to lessen the number of sacks he takes? Let us know in the comments below!
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