PITTSBURGH — The statement seemed surprising as it came from DeShon Elliott at the post-game press conference. Yet, it accurately reflected the current circumstances surrounding the Steelers. Following yet another closely contested victory against the Baltimore Ravens, which boosted Pittsburgh’s record to 8-2 and solidified their position at the top of the AFC North, Elliott referenced a familiar saying that was as true as it was stale: “No one expected us to be here right now.”
Just a few months back, the Steelers appeared to be an enigma, having revamped their quarterback lineup and hiring offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who previously experienced mixed success as the head coach in Atlanta. At the start of the season, the Steelers ranked as 50-1 long shots to win the Super Bowl, lagging behind even their AFC North rivals, including the Cleveland Browns.
As Thanksgiving draws near, the narrative has transformed largely due to a team that should be taken seriously as a contender. Their robust roster is highlighted by a staggering statistic — 44 out of the 45 active players participated in the recent game at Acrisure Stadium, showcasing a squad where contributions come from all areas of play regularly.
Indeed, backup quarterback Justin Fields played a crucial role in securing the win during the final minutes, despite having previously ceded his starting role to a healthy Russell Wilson. Punter Corliss Waitman delivered steady performances by effectively flipping the field position. Moreover, 6-foot-7 tight end Darnell Washington proved to be a significant asset, making multiple key plays while now tipping the scales over 300 pounds, as noted by his position coach. Additionally, rookie offensive linemen Zach Frazier and Mason McCormick embraced the rivalry with enthusiasm, mixing it up with opponents at every opportunity.
“Most fun I’ve had on the field in a while,” Frazier expressed, a sentiment echoed by his teammates. While the Steelers do face some issues — such as winning without scoring touchdowns in two instances this season — there appears to be an increasing confidence that they can hold their own among the top contenders for the Super Bowl.
Star linebacker T.J. Watt reflected on their ability to contain Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, describing their performance as showing “we have a lot of players.” He underscored the team’s depth, emphasizing the contributions from each facet of the game. Teammate Cam Heyward reinforced this notion, noting, “We have a complementary team… playmakers all around that can step up when needed.”
One of the keys to their success has been disrupting Jackson’s game. The Steelers have a remarkable 4-1 record against the two-time NFL MVP, managing to make him appear ordinary for significant stretches of the contest. Jackson completed less than half of his passes, and his struggles culminated with a failed two-point conversion attempt that showcased his uncharacteristic frustrations during the game.
On the flip side, kicker Chris Boswell’s strong performance this season has been partly due to the team’s reliance on field goals rather than touchdowns, particularly during red-zone opportunities. Their offense underperformed, failing to score a touchdown in four attempts inside the Ravens’ 20-yard line, diminishing their red-zone touchdown rate to 44.4 percent — placing them 30th in the NFL. While Boswell has been successful in most of his attempts, head coach Mike Tomlin feels the pressure each time he is forced to settle for three points.
Questions surrounding rookie Payton Wilson’s knee health contributed to his slide to the third round in the draft; however, he has shown consistent improvement throughout the season. Highlighting his athleticism, Wilson made an impressive fourth-quarter interception, which impressed many within the organization. “That’s All-Pro play,” remarked teammate Patrick Queen, underscoring the significance of such performances.
Conversely, the wide receiver corps outside of George Pickens continues to struggle. While Pickens made an impact with eight receptions for 89 yards, the collective output from the remaining receivers fell woefully short, totaling only three catches for a mere three yards.
Injury updates indicate that linebacker Alex Highsmith will miss his second consecutive game due to an ankle issue; however, the team remains largely healthy as they approach the important final stretch of the season. Currently, the Steelers boast a remarkable scoring margin of plus-80 in the second half, leading the NFL.
Next, the Steelers look to clinch their 18th consecutive non-losing season under Tomlin and the 21st in the franchise’s history as they head to Cleveland for a matchup on Thursday night. Although the Browns are facing their own challenges, the upcoming game is not a guaranteed victory, as Pittsburgh struggles historically at Huntington Bank Field with a record of 1-4-1 in their last six visits.