The Pittsburgh Steelers enter Week 18 in some tumultuous times. In a season filled with ups and downs, the Steelers have hit a down again after failing to clinch the AFC North division title by losing to the Cleveland Browns last Sunday. The loss has now pushed all the chips to the center of the table in Week 18, as the Steelers face the Baltimore Ravens in a do-or-die game on Sunday night for the AFC North division title and the final AFC playoff spot. This surely was not what Steelers fans hoped for, but this is what they face in the season finale.
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Steelers' Keeanu Benton and TJ Watt come together to sack Joe Flacco during the 2025 season.
A former Steeler voiced his concerns about someone in particular on the Steelers' defense on Tuesday. On his podcast, the Deebo and Joe show, former Steelers linebacker James Harrison pointed at the concerns he has for nose tackle Keeanu Benton. Harrison and Joe Haden were discussing the Steelers' defense, when Harrison didn't hold back with the Steelers' third-year nose tackle.
"If they're doing that down in and down out, nah. I see too much trying to swim over, get over this, dip and dives, because he ain't got the anchor," Harrison explained. "I ain't gonna lie, I ain't seen him hold a double [team] yet. And that's what you've got to do. When you're a three-interior, they've got to be able to anchor. "
The Steelers will need a huge defensive performance from everyone on Sunday, as they look to take down the Ravens for a second time in 2025 and punch their ticket to the postseason. Benton will be no exception to that, as it will be key in establishing the line of scrimmage as the Steelers look to slow down Ravens running back Derrick Henry. Henry ran wild on the Green Bay Packers in Week 17, going for 216 yards on 36 rushes and 4 touchdowns on top of his monster night.
Stephanie Scarbrough / AP Photo
Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) attempting to get past Pittsburgh Steelers defenders Joey Porter Jr. (24) and Patrick Queen (6) during the 2024 season.
The Steelers were able to contain Henry in their Week 14 matchup in Baltimore, as he ran for 94 yards on 25 carries and did not score on the ground in that game. The Steelers found themselves on the winning end of that showdown, securing the victory 27-22. That win was the start of a three-game winning streak, one that had fans optimistic about the Steelers' playoff chances, before they fell to Cleveland in Week 17. Pittsburgh will desperately need to put up a similar performance or better against Henry to help their chances at beating the Ravens and securing the AFC North.
Steelers' Defense Must Set Tone Against Ravens
The Steelers' defense will have to set the tone early on Sunday night when the Ravens come to town. If Henry is able to do anything near what he did against the Packers in Week 17, Pittsburgh will be searching for answers quickly and will be staring at an early start to their offseason. Benton, who Harrison criticized on Tuesday, is having a solid year as he has compiled 5.5 sacks and a forced fumble on the season at the nose tackle position.
Ian Walton / Associated Press
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Keeanu Benton (95) during a game against the Minnesota Vikings in the 2025 season in Dublin, Ireland.
The Steelers' defense has been much improved of late, especially after linebacker Patrick Queen spoke with Head Coach Mike Tomlin about a more mild-mannered approach to voicing his frustrations about what he sees wrong with their unit. The defense also did not allow much scoring against the Browns, but instead struggled to move the ball and produce on offense in their loss. Should the offense make some adjustments, another solid performance from the defense will bode well for their chances of taking down the Ravens Sunday night.
Do you think Benton and the Steelers' defense will set the tone early against the Ravens? Let us know in the comments below!
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