Wednesday, December 9

Let's get physical: Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles is going to be a clash of the titans, with two teams leading their division and looking to clinch a playoff berth this week.

And it's the kind of game linebacker Patrick Queen loves.

"That's why I'm in the league, period," said Queen. "I think when you sign up to play football, you want to play at the highest level. I don't think you love the sport if you don't look at it that way.

"I love this game. I love to play the game the right way and I think these next few games are going to show that, and it starts with the Eagles."

For the Steelers defense, while the Eagles have multiple threats, including quarterback Jalen Hurts, it all starts with Saquon Barkley.

Queen knows a good running back when he sees one, saying the best he has faced so far is the Browns Nick Chubb.

But he said Barkley is the man this year who is setting the league on fire.

"I think Saquon has the title this year," said Queen. "You see what he is doing. He is unstoppable right now. Getting him in space, he is able to break tackles and stuff.

"Just an all-around good back. Elusive. Strong. Can make multiple guys miss at one time. So, he is definitely my number one in the league right now."

And that shouldn't come as a surprise.

Barkley leads the NFL in rushing 1,623 yards this season, with four games still remaining. He is also on pace to break Eric Dickerson's NFL single-season record of 2,105 yards, set in 1984.

The Steelers don't want him getting closer to that number this week.

"That is huge," said Queen. "It's been a while since that has been up there. For him to find a new team and him get to that part of his career, it's something you don't see. That's hats off to his teammates, his offensive coordinator, his line, him. The guys are doing a good job.

"You have to go out there and play physical football to stop that.

"I love that (physical aspect) every week. It's different with this team. They've got big guys up front. Saquon is a great back. The stuff he is doing is crazy. Just making guys miss when they are right in front of him. You never know what you are getting with him.

"That's what I meant by being physical. You have to bring the fight to them."

And that is the plan for Sunday. It's not about stopping Barkley, because that is a tall task. It's about slowing him down, and there is only one way to make it work.

"Everybody's got to do their job," said Queen. "That's really all it comes to. I think some teams are just unaware of how good Saquon is. That's got to be your focus, especially a guy like that, a team like that. Everybody's got to do their job."

Keep watching: At this point of the week, receiver George Pickens' status for Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles is unknown as he is dealing with a hamstring injury.

But there is one thing fellow receiver Mike Williams knows.

He has to be ready if his workload increases this week.

Williams, who was acquired from the New York Jets at the trade deadline, has four catches for 68 yards and a touchdown since the trade, but is ready for whatever comes his way in practice or in the game on Sunday.

"We just have to control what we can control," said Williams. "Wherever the coaches put us at in the assignment so we can play fast.

"Anytime you can get some extra work in, I feel like it's helpful. So, for us, we've just got to get on the same page with everybody, know the offense, know every position because you never know what can happen."

During his weekly press conference when asked about Williams fit with the offense, Coach Mike Tomlin said, 'Keep watching.'

Williams is on board with that.

"I'm excited," said Williams. "Just keep watching. I'm excited for. I'm looking forward to the opportunity."

And what can he do with that opportunity?

"The sky's the limit. When I'm given the opportunity to make plays, I've shown that I can do that. When the opportunity presents itself, it looks good. I just have to keep taking advantage of the opportunities I get."

While Williams might not be putting up the numbers just yet, he has completely embraced being a part of the offense and wearing the black and gold.

"I love it," said Williams. "It's a lot of fun. Just the culture. It starts with Coach T and him instilling it in everybody. He is a players' coach. He wants to do what is right for players. He holds everybody accountable, no matter who you are. He wants to make sure everybody does their job."

Do your job: The test is a real one for the Steelers on Sunday, going against the NFL's leading rusher in the Eagles Saquon Barkley.

Barkley has 1,623 yards rushing this season, some of them going straight ahead, and some courtesy of his ability to leap defenders backwards.

However he is racking up the yardage, the Steelers need to do their best to contain him.

"He is an explosive running back," said outside linebacker Preston Smith. "He can make plays in a lot of different ways.

"He's one of the exciting backs to watch in this league. But in order to keep him from doing exciting things, you have to contain him, not let him get going and not let him get in rhythm. Because when he gets in rhythm or he gets any open gaps, or anybody that is messing up their assignment, he can make some big plays.

"He's a home run hitter who has a lot of ability. He has a lot of juice in the tank."

Everyone on defense doing their assignment is being stressed all around the locker room this week to defend against Barkley, and it's something they take seriously.

"It's very important for everybody to handle their job and make sure that we don't give him any rush lanes or any open lanes to run and make any big plays," said Smith. "We've got to eliminate the big plays from him and prevent him from having a huge game.

"It's very important for everybody to handle their assignment and make sure that they go out there and rally to the ball, contain him and keep him bottled in."

Rocky road begins in Philly: It's a daunting assignment, to be certain. But as the Steelers prepare for a stretch of schedule that includes games against the Eagles, Ravens and Chiefs in succession, tight end Pat Freiermuth maintains "daunting" works both ways in such an equation.

"We're a pretty good football team ourselves," Freiermuth insisted.

At 10-3 and with a two-game lead in the AFC North Division, the Steelers have a compelling argument to support Freiermuth's assessment. But in playing the 11-2 Eagles on Sunday in Philadelphia, the 8-5 Ravens on Dec. 21 in Baltimore and the 12-1 Chiefs on Christmas Day at Acrisure Stadium, Freiermuth knows the Steelers are destined to be tested.

"It's a great opportunity for us to go against three playoff teams, looking forward to the opportunity," he continued. "We just gotta continue to do what we've been doing. We gotta continue to execute in these high-level moments."

The Eagles are riding a nine-game winning streak this season and the Steelers haven't won in Philadelphia in the series since 1965.
Their 0-10 record across the Commonwealth since includes losses in two seasons in which the Steelers would go on to win a Super Bowl (17-14 in 1979 and 15-6 in 2008).

But that said, Freiermuth emphasized the Steelers won't be out to make any sort of statement this Sunday.

"No, we just view it as a big-time game," he said. "'Coach T.' (head coach Mike Tomlin) says it's the state championship so we're excited for that. We're looking forward to it. Yeah, it's a little bit of a preview, obviously. Three playoff teams we're gonna play and obviously some high-level, pressure moments. We know the task ahead of us but we're just focused on Philadelphia and trying to get a win in Philly."

Tomlin said on Tuesday wide receiver George Pickens (hamstring) "could be characterized as doubtful" for the Eagles game, a development that won't make snapping the losing streak in Philly any easier. But the Steelers didn't have Pickens in last Sunday's 27-14 win over the Browns, so they know there's a path to victory without him.

"Just continue to do what we do," Freiermuth said. "The (wide) receiver room has a lot of talent. We gotta continue to keep working and keep going this week, dial in extra little things, and we'll be fine. We have a lot of confidence in everyone on offense."

The Steelers found out Pickens wouldn't be playing last Sunday after the inactives were announced at 11:30 a.m. in advance of a 1 p.m. kickoff. This time around his potential absence is anticipated during the week's preparation.

"Obviously, we have a full week of gameplan, potentially, without George," Freiermuth added. "But the wide receiver room is always locked in with their responsibilities so just business as usual."

-- Blog entry by Mike Prisuta

Show support for Larry: Larry Ogunjobi is the Steelers 2024 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee and fans can help him win the Charity Challenge.

Fans are once again encouraged to participate in Nationwide's annual Charity Challenge, a social media and online contest that allows fans to show support for their favorite Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee. Fans can vote on X (formerly Twitter) by posting #WPMOYChallenge along with the last name/X handle of their chosen nominee or by voting directly on NFL.com/ManOfTheYear. The nominee who receives the most collective hashtag mentions and online votes will win an additional $35,000 donation from Nationwide to the charity of their choice, with the runner-up receiving $10,000 and the third-place winner receiving $5,000. Charity Challenge voting takes place from Thursday, Dec. 5 to Sunday, Jan. 6.

Beginning Week 14 and continuing through the end of the season, each of this year's nominees, including Ogunjobi, will wear a special Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year helmet decal in recognition of their accomplishments on and off the field.

Cast your vote: Steelers fans, it's time to vote. And make sure you do it early, and often.

For your favorite Steelers players that is.

-->> **Vote for Steelers players for the Pro Bowl Games**

Pro Bowl Games voting is underway in the NFL and it's up to you to get Steelers players their well-deserved spot.

The traditional Pro Bowl game has been replaced by days of activities, which will culminate with an AFC vs. NFC Flag Game at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida on Sunday, February 2.

Leading into the game there will be fun-filled and unique skill competitions, giving fans a different look at all of the league's top players.

Fans can vote for their favorite Steelers players now through Dec. 23. A social aspect of voting will be available on "X" beginning on Dec. 9. Fans can vote directly on "X" (formerly Twitter) by posting the first and last name of the player, tagging the player's official "X" handle or creating a hashtag including the player's first and last name. All three of these methods must include the hashtag: #ProBowlVote. During the final two days (Dec. 22 – Dec. 23), social votes will count as double.

Cast your votes today.

Click on the links to go to the Steelers page and vote for players below as well.

-->> **Vote for Steelers players for the Pro Bowl Games**

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