The 5: Steelers to watch in Week 10 vs Packers
In Week 10 of the 2023 NFL regular season, the Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3) will host the Green Bay Packers (3-5) at Acrisure Stadium on November 12. The Packers broke a four-game losing streak versus the Los Angeles Rams last week as the Steelers defeated the Tennessee Titans.
Ahead of Sunday’s meeting between two of the oldest, and most iconic NFL teams in league history on Pittsburgh’s alumni weekend, we look at five Steelers players for fans to watch during the game.
Mark Robinson
With the season-ending injury to Cole Holcomb, the primary interior linebackers are Kwon Alexander and Elandon Roberts. They were in a three-man rotation, and this week the next man up to spell the starters will be Mark Robinson. He may see even more time if Roberts’ knee is still bothering him on game day.
“(Robinson) prepares every week like he is going to be in there… Mark is right there with us in practice. It’s not game reps, but you can’t go into a game without practice. I am a deep believer in what you do on the practice field is what you are going to do in the game.” – ILB Elandon Roberts
The fact that the linebackers group openly expressed excitement to build off of the camaraderie they’ve developed seems to have bumped them to a new level of play.
“It’s a brotherhood… It’s all about being prepared.” – ILB Kwon Alexander
Keeanu Benton
The rookie defensive lineman has been slowly worked into the rotation, but he could be called on to play a bigger role against the Packers. Montravius Adams has been hampered with an ankle injury that kept him out of practice on Wednesday and Thursday, and Cameron Hayward has been limited as he continues to rehab post groin surgery.
Benton has been exciting to watch in the limited snaps he’s had and had the feisty attitude that will be needed to limit the Packers’ run game. When Green Bay has been forced into a one-dimensional offense by opponents, they’ve struggled transitioning to a pass-only scheme with Jordan Love under pressure.
Kenny Pickett
Steelers Nation got to see the moxie in Week 9’s comeback offensive drive orchestrated by quarterback Kenny Pickett, but they’d love it if he’d go off (accurate throws, good vision, smart decisions) early and stay hot for a full 60 minutes.
Head coach Mike Tomlin had an interesting exchange with the media ahead of the game regarding his starting quarterback…
#Steelers HC Mike Tomlin made sure to turn the tables when asked about Kenny Pickett's QB rating in quarters 1-3.
"What is his rating in the 4th quarter…? He's AWESOME in the 4th quarter."
Tomlin standing up for his QB…pic.twitter.com/SF07L8aYT7
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 7, 2023
Pickett may earn more love from salty fans if he balls out. As for the fans that understand he’s a second-year QB playing in an offense in a bit of flux – Matt Canada at offensive coordinator, personnel movement along the offensive line, a run game that has struggled, his own confidence – they’re excited for Pickett to show that he was the right guy for Pittsburgh.
George Pickens
It’s time that the proverbial pebble in the shoe get shaken out. All the extraneous media attention on young receiver George Pickens was more distracting than any emotion he may have expressed.
#Steelers Mike Tomlin doesn’t care about George Pickens social media pic.twitter.com/K5WE7MOC7T
— 93.7 The Fan (@937theFan) November 7, 2023
I agree. Who is trolling social media accounts to the point they’re just waiting to see who unfollows who?
That Tomlin defended players for expressing themselves bothered fans who have no issue expressing their feelings over every aspect of the team was pure irony.
Yes, Pickens could use this opportunity to mature. He could reframe his perspective. He could get himself right with his teammates. What young man in a difficult situation couldn’t use mentoring? It’s been a week where his teammates have done just that, as has his head coach.
"I absolutely Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin coming to the defense of his frustrated wide receiver George Pickens. Tomlin wants Pickens to want the ball. … [George Pickens] is the key to everything."
—@AdamSchein on the @steelers pic.twitter.com/3iQuYUSsap
— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) November 8, 2023
This weekend, I’m anxious to see Pickens get on the field and focus that emotion into a performance that not only gives the team a big boost but elevates his attitude to a positive level that matches the stellar athleticism he already has. I’d think fans would want to see that as well.
Najee Harris
Teammate Jaylen Warren got a nod for his angry run style against the Tennessee Titans, but somehow Najee Harris remains overlooked by many in the league.
Warren deserves a lot of love. He’s played his heart out and lost money due to questionable fines from the NFL. Let’s not understate how valuable he’s been to the Steelers. The kid can ball.
Harris is due for a huge game and Week 10 may just be his opportunity to get on the angry runs board. His early touchdown against the Titans set a tone in last week’s game; it was statement making.
The Packers run defenders have been stingy, but Harris is showing more confidence and determination behind much-improved blocking along the offensive line.
