It’s win or go home for the Steelers against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night.
Without DK Metcalf (suspension), Darnell Washington (broken arm), and potentially Calvin Austin III (hamstring), Pittsburgh is going to rely on older and underutilized players to make the playoffs. Marquez Valdes-Scantling was targeted nine times in the loss, including three times in a row with a goal to go and the Steelers looking to tie the game.
Pat Freiermuth caught two passes, including a 29-yarder, to set up the
Steelers with a chance. Outside of the final drive, Freiermuth had one catch and was nonexistent in the passing game. Kenneth Gainwell only had seven carries for 26 yards. Freiermuth and Gainwell are two of the team’s best weapons, but they only touched the ball 13 times.
“We certainly draw up enough schematics to spread the ball around,” Mike Tomlin said at his weekly press conference. “We believe all of our eligibles are playmakers.”
The Steelers need to get Freiermuth and Gainwell the ball more, especially without Metcalf and Washington. MVS and Scotty Miller were targeted a combined 16 times. Freiermuth and Gainwell were only given nine combined targets.
“There are a lot of variables that go into how the ball is distributed,” Tomlin said. “Certainly schematic approach and matchups of the opposing teams are a complement of that. What might have been a story last week or a challenge may or may not be a challenge or story this week.”
Maybe the Steelers should simplify their approach and get the ball into the hands of their best players, not a veteran player signed off the practice squad and another who was WR5 at the start of the year.
Their relationships and trust with Aaron Rodgers were a detriment in Sunday’s 13-6 loss, and Rodgers trusted both on fourth down, but neither converted.
Tomlin is still confident that his shorthanded wide receiver and tight end group can get it done.
“If they give us 1-on-1 playmaking opportunities, we need to make those plays,” Tomlin said. “We’ve got to put guys in positions to do so. We have very capable men.”
Freiermuth led the team with 65 receiving yards, 40 on the final drive. In 16 games, he owns 38 catches for 435 yards, both the second-lowest totals in his career.
“Oftentimes I say there’s a fine line between being a Pro Bowler and a backup,” Tomlin said. “We’re at the top of the food chain in terms of the football world. It’s a reasonable expectation, from my perspective, particularly with an additional week to prepare, that we put together a thoughtful plan and we position our guys to take advantage of opportunities. And if and when they do present themselves, that we make the plays.”
Gainwell is averaging 4.8 yards per carry and nearing 1,000 yards from scrimmage. While Gainwell might traditionally be a backup and Freiermuth not a top 10 tight end in the league, both are capable and should be the ones called upon to carry the weight and targets to help the Steelers against Baltimore on Sunday.
