Monday, December 29
Whatever it takes: Tight end Pat Freiermuth kept repeating the statement.
"Whatever it takes."
And it's not just words.
He knows to beat the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night, they are going to have to lean into a saying that he probably isn't aware that Hall of Fame Coach Chuck Noll made household words in the 1970s.
Whatever it takes
"It's obviously a big game Sunday night so we've got to do whatever it takes," said Freiermuth. "We've got to do whatever it takes to beat the Ravens. So, we've got to take the stuff that we did last game and in years past."
The feeling of losing to the Browns on Sunday in Cleveland, and losing out on an opportunity to secure the AFC North, is still fresh in all of the player's minds in the Steelers locker room.
But they know there is one goal this week, and they have to put everything else behind them.
"That's the only thing we can do," said Freiermuth. "It's all about Baltimore.
"I think everyone in the locker room is ready to get past what we put on film and what we displayed on Sunday, and being able to go into Sunday Night Football and execute a win."
Freiermuth spoke before the Steelers watched film of their performance in the 13-6 loss, but he didn't have to watch it to provide his analysis.
"Well, it wasn't acceptable from myself and a lot of the unit," said Freiermuth. "So, we've just got to look at the film and get back to what we've been doing the past couple of games prior to Cleveland."
The Steelers were on a three-game win streak heading into the Browns game and Freiermuth knows from experience they can rebound from a tough loss.
"Execution, everyone on the same page and just following each other and the game plan," said Freiermuth. "It was just a bad performance. We're just focused on trying to beat Baltimore this week.
"We're all looking forward to the opportunity on Sunday night. It's a big one, obviously, and we can't feel sorry for ourselves.
"Whatever it takes."
Bringing their A game: The Steelers defense knows what is ahead of them this week, and it won't be easy.
The Ravens will come to Acrisure Stadium on Sunday night with an offense that is on fire, especially running back Derrick Henry.
Henry rushed for 216 yards and four touchdowns in the Ravens win over the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night, a win that has this week's game a battle for the AFC North title.
And it's not just Henry. Whether it's Lamar Jackson or Tyler Huntley at quarterback, they both provide a crazy threat for the defense.
"We're playing a great team," said linebacker Nick Herbig. "Playing a great running back. He's a Hall of Fame type of guy. He's one of them ones.
"So, we got to bring our A game for him for sure."
The Steelers have shut down some of the top running backs in the league as of late, and to do that, they have to stay with the plan.
"Just playing team ball, regardless of who the running back is," said Herbig. "It's Pittsburgh, we're going to stop the run. That's what we do. We pride ourselves on that. So, we just need to come together, and it starts up front, starts with me, starts with the outside linebackers, starts with the D-line.
"Coach (Mike) Tomlin has been preaching that since we got here, it starts up front. So, we've got to be better up front."
Huntley started at quarterback for the Ravens this past week, completing 16 of 20 passes for 107 yards. He also rushed for 60 yards on eight carries, for a total of 307 yards rushing for the Ravens.
"It's a unique situation, especially with the Ravens, with Lamar and Derek and obviously Huntley," said Herbig. "They can all run. They're all a threat.
"So, that just adds another element to the game. That's adding all 11 players, because if you don't have a mobile QB, you're focused on the running back. But that's just another level, another layer of the onion you got to peel back.
"We've got to dive into it.
"We just got to play our ball. It's a tough task.
"It always comes down to this game every year. Steelers and Ravens, that's what it is. It's a big game and we got to go out there and perform."
Ready to play ball: Rookie Derrick Harmon said the NFL playoff system is a little different than college, where he had to ask some of his teammates questions about tiebreakers and things like that as they battle for the AFC North title.
One thing that isn't different, though, is the importance of winning when you get into a situation where playoffs are on the line.
And one of the players on the Ravens who is going to try and get in the way of that is all-everything running back Derrick Henry.
"We're just trying to go out there and play ball because this is our season on the line," said Harmon. "So, we're just going there trying to stop that man to the best of our ability."
Harmon said you can't harp on what happened on Sunday against the Browns as you prepare for the tough test ahead this week.
Instead you have to learn from it and move on.
"We've got to have that next game mentality and prepare for it," said Harmon.
"I'm ready to play ball."
Game time announced: The NFL has released the date and time of the Steelers Week 18 game against the Baltimore Ravens.
The game will be played on Sunday, January 4 at 8:20 p.m. at Acrisure Stadium. The game will air on NBC's Sunday Night Football.
This will be the second time the two teams will face each other this season. The Steelers won a Week 14 matchup at M&T Bank Stadium, 27-22. The Steelers lead the all-time regular season series, 34-25, including winning four of the last five in Pittsburgh.
The game has major postseason implications. If the Steelers win, they will secure the AFC North championship and the fourth seed in the AFC.
"It's for everything this week," said defensive tackle Cameron Heyward. "You don't have to look around. You don't have to wait for somebody else to play.
"If you're a competitor and you understand this rivalry between Baltimore, it's what you want.
"We control our destiny. We don't have to look around. Week 18, ball's in our home court. I expect our guys to be locked in, ready for this opportunity."
Give him your support: Linebacker Alex Highsmith understands the impact he can have in the community.
He knows the platform he has been entrusted with to touch the lives of others.
And he has taken advantage of it, making a significant difference in the communities that matter the most to him.
Through the Alex Highsmith Family Foundation, he has opened his arms and his heart to three places that are important to him, including Pittsburgh, his hometown of Wilmington, N.C., and Charlotte, N.C., where he played college football.
He uses his work in his foundation to empower the next generation through fitness, education and community.
And that is why Highsmith is the Steelers Club Winner for the 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, presented by Nationwide. Every team selects a player as the Club Winner for the award, and the overall winner is announced at NFL Honors ahead of the Super Bowl.
"I am so humbled, honored, and grateful to be the Steelers' nominee for this year's Walter Payton Man of The Year," said Highsmith. "I truly believe that God has given me this platform to be a blessing to others, especially in the communities that I love. Walter Payton is one of the best football players of all time, but his true impact and legacy is felt today through the way he lifted up his community. I'm grateful to be able to make an impact off the field like he did.
"I believe that my purpose in life is to bring glory to God by serving others. He gave me this platform for that reason. To be a light and to serve others through the love of Christ. I love what I get to do on the field, but what I do off the field to make a positive impact in my community will always be most important to me."
Fans can help Highsmith's charity, the Alex Highsmith Family Foundation, through Nationwide's Charity Challenge.
Voting for the Charity Challenge runs through Jan. 5, with winner announced on Jan. 7.
Fans have the option to vote online or via X.
- Vote directly at NFL.com/manoftheyear.
- Post #WPMOYChallenge on X along with Highsmith's full name: #WPMOYChallenge Alex Highsmith
- All votes count twice during Double Vote Days on Tuesday, December 16 and Friday, January 2.
- Nationwide will donate $35,000, $10,000, and $5,000 to the nonprofit organizations designated by the first, second, and third-place finishers, respectively.
Bringing you the action: For fans who don't want to miss any of the action, NFL+ is here, which means you can now watch the Steelers live and on the go! Watch live local and primetime regular season games on mobile, plus NFL RedZone, NFL Network, live audio and more - all in one place.
