Coming off back-to-back losses, the Pittsburgh Steelers have a huge game this weekend against the Baltimore Ravens.
Both teams are 6-6 and tied for first place in the AFC North. Both teams are also looking to bounce back from ugly losses last week.
The Steelers are reeling on both sides of the ball, especially defensively after surrendering a whopping 249 rushing yards to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. Now they’re going up against one of the best rushing attacks in the league, as the Ravens rank fourth in rushing yards per game and fifth in rushing touchdowns.
Stopping Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson won’t be easy, but Pittsburgh defensive coordinator Teryl Austin needs his unit to turn the page and focus on beating Baltimore rather than dwelling on the past.
“The rivalry is more important than the last game. We know what this rivalry is, two teams that are built similarly,” Austin told reporters at Thursday’s practice. “We know we have to go in there and play physical and play good, solid team defense.”
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The Steelers allowed the Ravens to run for 299 yards against them when they last met in the playoffs in January, so Pittsburgh can’t allow that to happen again.
Jackson is dealing with injuries and hasn’t looked like himself lately, but the Steelers shouldn’t underestimate the two-time NFL MVP. They need to keep the pressure on him, make him uncomfortable in the pocket and force him into mistakes/bad throws.
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Pittsburgh’s defense has been a mess all season, but it must find a way to step up and deliver a better performance in Baltimore on Sunday.
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Featured image via Charles LeClaire/Imagn Images