Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin isn't over-thinking the question surrounding outside linebacker T.J. Watt's availability on Saturday in Baltimore.
"If he's available, we'll be happy," Austin confirmed. "If he isn't available, we won't be very happy."
This just in, they'd rather have their sacks leader this season (11.5) and the 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year in a game against the NFL's No. 3 scoring offense in 2024, in a game that could clinch the AFC North Division for the Steelers.
But Austin was every bit as matter of fact in assessing the potential effect on the Steelers' scheme in the event the ankle injury that knocked Watt out of last Sunday's loss in Philadelphia keeps him sidelined on Saturday against the Ravens.
This just in, not much.
"With young (outside linebacker) Nick (Herbig) coming on and having Preston (Smith) as a veteran guy, those guys aren't T.J. but we feel they're good, quality players that we can fit in our system, do the things that we need to do," Austin maintained.
The Steelers also have the starter opposite Watt, Alex Highsmith, to rely upon whether Watt plays or not.
"Obviously, if you don't have an impact player like T.J. it affects your game," Austin continued. "But I don't think it'll affect our overall schematics."
The schematics the Steelers sprang on the Ravens in the teams' initial meeting this season, an 18-16 Steelers victory on Nov. 17 at Acrisure Stadium, were good enough to help hold Baltimore to a season-low 329 total net yards (the Ravens average a best-in-the-NFL 424.1 per game), a season-low 16 points (we below Baltimore's 29.9 figure through 14 games), and a season-low 23:38 in time of possession.
The Steelers prepare for the Week 16 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kyle Allen (4) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 16 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 16 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back D'Shawn Jamison (5) and Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre (42) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 16 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 16 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 16 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 16 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Cory Trice Jr. (27) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 16 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Jeremiah Moon (49) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 16 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Cameron Sutton (20) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 16 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Tyler Matakevich (44) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 16 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Mark Robinson (93) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 16 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Cameron Sutton (20) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 16 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Mark Robinson (93) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 16 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Jeremiah Moon (49) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Julius Welschof (45) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 16 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee (23) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 16 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 16 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Tyler Matakevich (44) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Harper (40) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 16 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Julius Welschof (45) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Eku Leota (53) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 16 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 16 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Elandon Roberts (50) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 16 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 16 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 16 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Miles Killebrew (28), Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ayo Oyelola (17) and Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 16 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end MyCole Pruitt (81) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 16 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Quez Watkins (16) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 16 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington (80) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 16 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 16 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington (80) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 16 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end/fullback Connor Heyward (83) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 16 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 16 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) and Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 16 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 16 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back/kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson (84) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 16 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Ben Skowronek (15) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 16 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
"We did a really good job, I thought, in terms of eliminating a lot of big plays," Austin assessed. "I thought we did a good job in terms of tackling, because you have to be able to tackle against this group. One of the things they're really good at is yards after catch, yards after contact, and so I thought we did a really good job of that and that eliminated big plays, it made them have to drive the field.
"We felt pretty comfortable that if it was long drives, those usually work in the defense's favor."
The tackling wasn't nearly as consistent in Philadelphia, and was cited by head coach Mike Tomlin as a contributing factor in what became a 27-13 loss.
But Austin doesn't think not tackling in Philly means the Steelers won't in Baltimore, either.
Quite the opposite, in fact.
"Based on the amount of reps and the way we've played so far, we're hoping (the Eagles game) is a one-off," Austin said. "We've been a pretty good tackling team all year.
"I think our guys will bounce back from that and we'll make a concerted effort to be better tacklers this week."
The Steelers will also endeavor to be what they always are against diverse attacks such as Philadelphia's and Baltimore's, a team that first and foremost stops the run.
"The guys's got a million touchdowns and like three interceptions," Austin said, referencing the 34 touchdown passes and three interceptions Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has thrown this season. "We've got our work cut out for us.
"Biggest for us, as we all go into every game, we don't want to give up big plays and we gotta stop the run."
