PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The point spread is near or at double figures, some national experts are calling the Steelers the least likely team to win in the Wild Card round. Everybody loves an underdog and this is Pittsburgh, so here are reasons for optimism as the Steelers open the playoffs in Baltimore Saturday night.
Last game
No team hotter in the NFL than Cincinnati heading into Week 18, yet the Steelers held the Bengals to its lowest scoring output in eight games. Joe Burrow had at least three touchdown passes in eight straight, limited to one. Steelers defense was also able to get Burrow's first pick in four games. They also held Cincinnati to its lowest rushing total in seven games.
Not going to paint a rosy picture for the offense, but they did come alive in the fourth quarter and were hampered by a number of drops, three by George Pickens. A potential 38-yard reception in the third quarter would have given the Steelers the ball deep in Cincinnati territory instead of a punt. The errors made in general by the offense were mostly fundamental. It's not out of the realm of possibility to see improvement.
Last game at Baltimore
It's a seven-point contest in the fourth quarter before a horrible pass turned into a Pick Six and ended the game. Russell Wilson threw for 217 yards and two scores without George Pickens, who missed with an injury. Wilson also fumbled being aggressive on a running play that cost the Steelers at least three points.
Defensively, the Steelers played without safety DeShon Elliott and corner Donte Jackson and it was TJ Watt's first game back from his ankle injury. Elliott is key to their run defense and communication and will play Saturday with Jackson back and Cory Trice now with more experience and acquitted himself well against Ja'Marr Chase.
Steelers also forced three fumbles in that first game and weren't able to recover any of them. One of those might have changed the game, getting all three likely would have meant a different outcome.
Zay out
Suffering a knee injury in its last game against the Browns, Ravens receiver Zay Flowers was ruled out for Saturday's game. Flowers had 100 yards receiving in the 34-17 Ravens win.
The 24-year-old has five 100-yard games this year and was a big reason the Ravens offense took the next step. A consistent deep threat that is averaging 14.3 yards-per-reception, he is their consistent deep threat. Baltimore lacks depth in that position, it's why they traded for Diontae Johnson.
History
Is Baltimore scoring 34 points and winning by 17 a trend or a one-off? Just looking back at the last few years of the series, it would tell you any blowout is a one-off. Every one of the last nine matchups were decided by one score. The average Steelers margin of victory while winning eight of the previous nine was 3.3 points.
Burn the boats
No question the Steelers offense lacks creativity and is at times just plain predictable. Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith promised to 'burn the boats' and leave no stone unturned in finding ways or using personnel, including back-up quarterback Justin Fields. It's not like the offense could get much worse, a little offensive innovation could provide some splash, confidence or just momentum for the group.
The Steelers just beat the Ravens in November. They know and executed a successful game plan to slow down Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry in Week 11. This isn't fantasy they could win this game, they need to execute and hit a couple of big plays on both sides.
