Takeaways: Steelers grab comeback victory over Ravens
Steel City Underground presents post-game takeaways from every Pittsburgh Steelers game of the 2023 NFL regular season.
On Sunday afternoon, in front of their fans at Acrisure Stadium, the Pittsburgh Steelers grabbed victory from the clutches of the AFC North rival Baltimore Ravens in a comeback that was thought improbable, if not impossible. A late-game defensive stand, special teams highlight, and an offensive series that finally clicked sealed the 17-10 victory.
As Pittsburgh once again moves to the top of the division, we look at the things that stood out in the NFL Week 5 win.
Things starting to click for young players
Left tackle Broderick Jones got his first start and helped keep Jadeveon Clowney and Roquan Smith from logging a sack in the game. Jones looked ready to take on a bigger role on the offensive line. He was pressured, but the entire line was pressed heavily as the Ravens defense attempted to keep the Steelers run game bottled up and harass Kenny Pickett.
Joey Porter Jr. entered the game at a time when the Steelers defense needed a stop and opportunity to give the offense a shot at the comeback. Porter was able to reach up and pick a pass – his first NFL interception – in the end zone to do just that, crushing a Ravens drive that could have given Baltimore the win.
“I already kind of had that in the back of my mind they were going to try me on that play,” – Joey Porter Jr.
It’s encouraging to see young players step up in a time when the Steelers need playmakers.
Killebrew a sneaky stud on special teams
There typically aren’t a lot of words said about special teams outside of placekickers, punters, and returners. Miles Killebrew, however, has proven that – while he doesn’t receive many accolades from NFL analysts – he’s a solid piece of this Steelers squad as special teams captain.
On Sunday, Killebrew blocked his third punt since he’s been with Pittsburgh (four total in his career).
https://twitter.com/steelers/status/1711100277015654462?t=yfpNhwMH6omoKzgwEk-e-Q&s=19
The timing couldn’t have been better, and it gave the Steelers a spark they needed, emotionally, to pick themselves up and play through pressure with a new level of intensity. The ball wasn’t recovered inbounds by Rodney Williams, but the play resulted in a safety.
“The thing I love about blocked punts is that it’s a team stat. We all get credit… It was a scheme that we’ve been practicing for three weeks. Danny Smith drew it up.” – Miles Killebrew
Pace may be key to unlocking Pickett
The Steelers offense sputtered often in the first half of the game, much to the dismay of fans who’ve tired of Matt Canada‘s play calling. There would be a couple of good plays and then things would stall.
When Pickett seemed to play the best was when the tempo on offense was upped. This could be the key to unlocking his true potential. If he’s able to click under that level of intensity, then it would benefit the entire team to play to that.
Highsmith and Watt continue to compliment each other
The Steelers defense played with improved intensity against the Ravens. It should have come as no surprise that Alex Highsmith and T.J. Watt were able to create yet another big play in this game as a result. Highsmith hit Lamar Jackson, knocking the ball loose, and again Watt was there to scoop up the ball.
https://twitter.com/steelers/status/1711107631090114729?t=OZU89tY-sGzxF75JLuVgwg&s=19
How fitting was it that Watt got a sack to seal the win?
The duo created a lot of pressure on Sunday, with some great support from Elandon Roberts, Cole Holcomb, and Kwon Alexander. That up-front action helped limit big runs by the Ravens and allowed the Steelers’ defensive backfield to get into better alignment, even though there’s still room for improvement on the back end.
According to NextGen stats, Steelers OLB Alex Highsmith had 11 pressures today. That's tied for the most of any player in a single game this season. Where are all of the analytics people out there to tell me he didn't deserve a new contract?
— Dale Lolley (@dlolley_pgh) October 9, 2023
Final thoughts
There really isn’t much that can be said for the performance George Pickens and Jaylen Warren put together on offense for the Steelers except “exciting.” Both players showed heart in a tough divisional game, stretching for a little bit more each time they had the opportunity.
The Steelers looked like they’d taken head coach Mike Tomlin‘s words to heart about intensity. They didn’t come out punching, but they stayed in the fight until the knockout punches were thrown.
They enter the bye week looking to get Diontae Johnson and Cameron Heyward back while getting healthy and adapting to changes that were promised.
