The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering into their most brutal stretch of the 2024 season. They will face the Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens, and Kansas City Chiefs in a matter of 10 days. It's a brutal stretch, but also a tremendous chance for NFL fans and Steelers fans to truly see just how great this Pittsburgh team can be. If the Steelers can win one or two of these three games, it would be a massive success, as all three of these teams are legitimate Super Bowl contenders.
Steelers.com
Steelers' Zach Frazier gets ready to snap the ball.
This matchup against the Eagles is going to be won in the trenches. The Steelers’ offensive line will need to control the line of scrimmage against a fierce Philadelphia defensive front and vice versa on the other side of the football. Rookie center, Zach Frazier, a key figure in the Steelers’ offensive line, shared insights with Steelers insider Mike DeFabo about the game plan. According to Frazier, the Steelers are going to rely heavily on running the ball down the Eagles’ throats to establish dominance early.
Frazier’s confidence in the Steelers’ ability to execute this game plan reflects the growing strength of Pittsburgh’s running attack. The success of this strategy could set the tone for the rest of the brutal stretch, with the team aiming to wear down the Eagles' defense and control the clock. If the Steelers can effectively impose their will on the ground, they’ll not only challenge the Eagles but send a message to the entire league about their potential to compete at the highest level.
"Every game we go out there, we’re trying to play our style physically," said Frazier. "We bring that every game by running the ball, finishing plays, stuff like that. I think it’s definitely an emphasis this week to be able to run the ball."
Frazier has been an outstanding addition to the Steelers as a rookie. The team knew they needed to find a reliable starting center and entered the draft hopeful to land Frazier.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Zach Frazier during the National Anthem ahead of a game in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Selecting him in the second round has paid off immensely, as his immediate impact has provided a significant boost to the Steelers' young offensive line.
Steelers' Zach Frazier Studied The Eagles' Offensive Line At WVU
Frazier is no stranger to the Eagles' offensive line, having spent considerable time studying them during his college days at West Virginia University, according to DeFabo. This unique insight adds an interesting layer to the matchup and underscores one of the key strengths that has made the Eagles a competitive force in the NFL over the past few seasons—their commitment to winning in the trenches. For the Steelers to succeed, they’ll need to outplay the Eagles where it matters most: in the battle up front.
This game presents an exciting opportunity for the Steelers to prove to the NFL world that they are for real, but it won’t come without its challenges. Star wide receiver George Pickens is expected to miss his second game of the 2024 season as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury. While it's far from ideal to be without one of their top players during such a critical stretch, the Steelers remain focused on the playoff picture. At 10-3, they've positioned themselves well for this tough stretch of games.
AP
Steelers' George Pickens looks on during an away game.
The next three matchups—against the Eagles, Ravens, and Chiefs—will be a true test of their championship potential. It’ll be exciting to see how the Steelers compete against these top-tier teams as they prepare for the most pivotal part of the regular season. This stretch could be the proving ground for their Super Bowl aspirations.
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