Imagine allowing your fiercest rivals to close in on you. It sounds frightening, and indeed, the Steelers Nation should be worried, as they have now opened the door for the Ravens to claim the AFC North title. This situation largely rests on the shoulders of nine-time Pro Bowler Russell Wilson, who had a terrible Saturday Night in Baltimore.
It was almost like a sucker punch to the Steelers’ hopes of securing the division on enemy territory. Unfortunately, that didn’t go as planned. Two costly turnovers by Wilson contributed to the Steelers’ disappointing 34-17 defeat. In the aftermath, Wilson took responsibility for the defeat, stating, “It’s unacceptable. It can’t happen.”
While Wilson was his own harshest critic, his coach, Mike Tomlin, also had strong words for his veteran QB, saying, “Russell Wilson is tough on himself because he desires to be great.” However, Wilson’s performance in Baltimore was likely his worst of the season. At a time when the Steelers needed him most, he instead led them to their lowest point.
'Russell Wilson is tough on himself because he desires to be great'#Steelers Mike Tomlin
— 93.7 The Fan (@937theFan) December 22, 2024
The 36-year-old’s first turnover occurred with the game tied at 7-7 in the second quarter. Ravens safety Ar’Darius Washington stopped Wilson’s 19-yard run just 4 yards shy of the red zone and caused a fumble that was quickly recovered by Ravens tackle Kyle Van Noy. What happened next? The Ravens completed a 96-yard touchdown drive, taking a 14-7 lead. Unfortunately, Wilson’s troubles didn’t end there.
In the fourth quarter, with the score at 24-17, the Steelers still had a chance to regroup. However, Wilson’s pass intended for MyCole Pruitt was intercepted by Marlon Humphrey, who returned it for a 37-yard pick-six, sealing the game for the Ravens. This victory allowed the Ravens to clinch their playoff spot while keeping the divisional title race open.
Looking ahead, as the Steelers prepare for a crucial game against the Chiefs on December 25th, Mike Tomlin has provided a positive update regarding player injuries. Four players who missed the week 16 matchup against the Ravens could return by Christmas: George Pickens, DeShon Elliott, Larry Ogunjobi, and Donte Jackson all have a good chance to play.
This would be a significant comeback for George Pickens, who missed practice all week leading up to the Baltimore game and sat out his third consecutive game due to a hamstring injury sustained earlier in the month. Up until week 14, Pickens had not missed a single game in his NFL career.
Without Pickens, the Steelers have struggled offensively, managing only 27 points and 3 touchdowns before week 16. Pickens had recorded 55 receptions for 850 yards and 3 touchdowns, demonstrating his impact on the Steelers’ offense. Furthermore, the team expects to regain safety DeShon Elliott, who was also hampered by a hamstring issue, along with Ogunjobi and Jackson returning from their respective groin and back injuries.
After suffering two consecutive losses, the Steelers need a win against the Chiefs; otherwise, they might need to say goodbye to their hopes of leading the AFC North this season.
Steelers’ Russell Wilson’s Strong Message on Faith After Mike Tomlin Turns Against His Own Team Over Ravens Loss
As the saying goes, “When you’re down, those you least expect may be the first to walk away.” This sentiment rings true for the Pittsburgh Steelers and their QB, Russell Wilson. Moreover, the Ravens certainly know how to heat things up in the AFC North. Their 34-17 victory over the Steelers will definitely impact the team’s morale, but there’s more behind this loss.
It’s the cryptic remarks from head coach Mike Tomlin that followed the team’s disappointing performance that add to their woes. As another saying goes, “When life knocks you down, get back up with faith stronger than before,” and Wilson is a firm believer in this. In a recent Instagram story, he shared a Bible quote (James 1:2-3 NIV): “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” This indicates that Wilson wants both fans and teammates to remain resilient and find joy in challenging times.
Now, let’s address the game, which serves as a pivotal moment for Wilson’s faith. It’s clear the Steelers missed key starters during this matchup. Not only were cornerbacks Donte Jackson and Joey Porter Jr. absent, but they also missed DT Larry Ogunjobi and safety DeShon Elliott.
While Ogunjobi and Elliott were sidelined due to groin injuries, they are expected to return when the Steelers face the Chiefs. Meanwhile, the cornerbacks have also been dealing with injuries, being benched for a back injury and a knee issue, respectively.
Mr. Unlimited looked more like Mr. Underwhelming against the Ravens today, as the Baltimore defense dominated the Steelers, sacking their QB three times. Despite this, Wilson completed 22 of 33 passes for 217 yards, achieving two touchdowns but also throwing one interception. However, the head coach is not satisfied with the overall performance.
Interestingly, the post-game conference is affecting the Steelers’ morale more than the loss itself, largely due to coach Tomlin’s comments. “We didn’t do what we needed to do in order to secure victory today,” Tomlin remarked, “So I congratulate the Ravens on their performance and the victory.” He emphasized that controlling the run game was crucial, stating, “Very specifically, we didn’t control the run game. We never did.” He added that without control, the team needed “splash plays or to win the turnover battle in a significant way,” which they failed to achieve as well.
Tomlin’s frustration was evident as he continued, highlighting the importance of controlling the line of scrimmage and the turnover game. “You gotta control the run, the line of scrimmage,” he insisted. “And we failed in both areas, so when you do that, you should expect to lose.”
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