Week 11 Will Mean More For These Steelers
Despite their great start, the Steelers now face the toughest obstacle of the season. The back half of the schedule includes every divisional game, and matchups with the Eagles and Chiefs. It’s time to see what these Steelers are made of, and it starts in week 11, when the Ravens come to Pittsburgh. Baltimore will see a couple of their old friends, who now find themselves on the right side of the best rivalry in football.
The Steelers Leveled Up At Linebacker
Patrick Queen has faced criticism for his in-division signing, but is good at rolling with the punches. This will be the first time he sees his former team. The Ravens drafted Queen with the 28th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, and he spent four good seasons in Baltimore. Queen finished third in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting in 2020 behind Chase Young and Jeremy Chinn.
In his four seasons in Baltimore, Queen started all 67 games he appeared in. He racked up four interceptions, five forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries, 13.5 sacks, 297 solo tackles, and 37 tackles for loss. He was a big part of the Baltimore defense, but now finds himself with the green dot in Pittsburgh. His versatility is on full display with the Steelers. It took him a handful of games to find his footing but he’s been locked in lately.
Queen finds himself second on the Steelers in total tackles, third in solo tackles, and fourth in tackles for loss through ten weeks. In last week’s win over the Commanders, Queen balled out. He led the Steelers in total tackles, solo tackles, and tackles for loss. He chased down Jayden Daniels multiple times. Renegade will hit differently for Queen this Sunday.
Putting the Strong In Strong Safety
DeShon Elliott also finds himself in a revenge game situation in week 11. Just like Queen, Elliott was drafted by the Ravens. He only spent three seasons in Baltimore, always feeling like an afterthought. That isn’t the case in Pittsburgh. Elliott has been a huge part of the Steelers’ defense. He’s the team leader in total tackles and solo tackles. He only had one interception in three seasons with the Ravens. He’s matched that in ten weeks in Pittsburgh.
He played just 28 games as a Raven, and made 109 total tackles, 76 solo tackles, and six for loss. Through ten weeks as a Steeler, Elliott already has 64 total tackles, 42 solo tackles, and three tackles for loss. The former Raven was meant to be in the AFC North all along. He’s embodied being a Steeler to the fullest extent, and he’s been the best strong safety in black and yellow since Troy Polamalu.
If Queen or Elliott can find a way to pluck a Lamar Jackson pass out of the air in week 11, Acrisure Stadium will go crazy. The Steelers have won seven of the last ten matchups with the Ravens. Pittsburgh always gives Lamar Jackson trouble, and adding two of his former teammates to the fold could be bad news for the reigning MVP. The best rivalry in football keeps getting better. Pittsburgh and Baltimore with first place in the AFC North on the line.