Teresa Varley

Thursday, January 1

Happy New Year

Primetime spotlight:All eyes in the NFL will be on the Steelers-Ravens game on Sunday night, when the two teams battle it out in primetime with the AFC North title on the line.

It's a game that draws attention from all around even when the stakes aren't this high, but this week, it's going to the next level.

"It's either about getting to the playoffs or making a lot of noise in the playoffs in these games," said defensive tackle Cameron Heyward. "Both teams have aspirations of going far in the playoffs.

"You have your best game against them because they're just trying to send you home. It's really fun to watch and be a part of.

"We've got to play our best ball. There's urgency there. There's us just trying to kick a whole lot of tail. And we've got to make up for our mistakes last week.

"The focus is on this game for the AFC North is to get to the playoffs. It's at home and the stage is set.

"And I'd like to be the victor in that."

A key to being successful against the Ravens will be based on containing the Ravens' run game, which includes running back Derrick Henry, but also quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley.

The defense has been successful against the run over the last few weeks, but there are multiple weapons to deal with this week.

"We've had better communication, better alignment, better assignment," said Heyward of the success they have had. "But with this team, it's not just the running back, it is the quarterback as well.

"So, everybody's got to be accountable, and it takes a lot of hats to the ball. It's not something that's done in the first quarter or second quarter. I think last time we did a pretty good job in the first and second (quarter) and then they kind of reeled off some big ones late.

"This game is always predicated on playing well all the way through the fourth."

Jackson was a full participant in practice for the Ravens this week after missing time with injuries.

They haven't confirmed who will get the start on Sunday, but Heyward has his thoughts.

"They're going to give themselves the best opportunity and that's Lamar," said Heyward. "He's an MVP. So, I'll prepare for him and we'll see what happens."

And if it's Huntley, Heyward knows it's going to be just as difficult a task.

"He's won games in this league," said Heyward. "He's in a comfortable spot where he knows the offense, knows the players around him, and that's what you want from a backup quarterback.

"We have Mason (Rudolph) who's won games as well. So, having a backup quarterback that can get you through situations and play above-the-head football is really key in this time."

A different kind of rivalry:Linebacker Nick Herbig might only be in his third seasons with the Steelers, but he knows all about the history of the Steeler-Ravens rivalry.

And he can't wait for the next game in that storied rivalry on Sunday night at Acrisure Stadium.

"I can't even explain it to you," said Herbig. "This game is just different.

"The stuff you watch when you were a little kid, Steelers and Ravens. Troy Palamalu, Ray Lewis, you could go back however many years you want.

"It's always been like this, so I'm just blessed to be a part of it."

Herbig knows what is on the line in this game, with the AFC North title up for grabs. The key is not letting it be too big and handling it well.

"I think you've just got to realize that it's bigger than you," said Herbig. "It's more than the game. Guys who came before you, and walked these halls, and wore this jersey too.

"You're doing it not just for yourself, but for them to honor your brothers in this locker room. Just trying to honor that and respect the game."

One way to honor that is to go out and play Steelers football.

"We're the Steelers," said Herbig. "It's ingrained in us. We're blue collar, we're tough, we're nasty, we're disciplined.

"So, you're just going to have to tune in on Sunday."

When you do tune in, the hope for all in the Steelers locker room is that linebacker T.J. Watt is back on the field with the rest of the defense.

That is what Herbig is hoping for as well.

"He's obviously the best player in the world, so that does a lot for us," said Herbig. "So, mentally, physically, everything. Just having him out there, flying around with the boys again is awesome."

With Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson back, and all-everything running back Derrick Henry on a tear, having every weapon on defense will be welcome.

"They're both great players," said Herbig. "Lamar is a multiple MVP, Derrick Henry is one of the best to do it.

"We've got to bring our 'A' game for sure."

This is what it's all about:It's a rivalry that everyone understands.

One built through the years, through hard-fought games.

And on Sunday night, it's going to the next level when the Steelers and Ravens meet with the AFC North title on the line.

"This is why you play football," said guard Mason McCormick. "It's for big games like this.

"It's exciting for sure."

McCormick has learned early on in his career what it means to be a part of the Steelers-Ravens rivalry.

A rivalry where only the strong survive.

"It's going to be a physical game," said McCormick. "It's always a hard-fought game. Exciting. It always goes down to the wire.

"And it's fun to be a part of."

Sunday night at Acrisure Stadium will be the first time the two teams will meet with the AFC North title directly on the line.

And it's going to be a dog fight.

"It gets super physical," said McCormick. "Everybody's fighting for their lives.

"It's win or go home.

"Both teams obviously want to continue playing. It will be physical."

McCormick expects Acrisure Stadium to be alive on Sunday night, and knows Steelers Nation will be on for them.

"I just want the fans to come out there with excitement," said McCormick.

"Be loud, be proud, and just root us on."

Home field advantage:The Steelers will take on the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night at Acrisure Stadium, and having the home crowd behind them in a game that is basically a playoff game for the Steelers will be a huge advantage.

There's no doubt Terrible Towels will be twirling, and the fans will do everything they can to make it miserable for Lamar Jackson and company.

Coach Mike Tomlin knows what crowd noise can do to an opposing offense, and appreciates the support they will receive.

"(The Ravens) ability to change plays at the line of scrimmage, to communicate, to get in appropriate schemes and so forth offensively gets challenged," said Tomlin. "It's the same urgency that we had when we went into Baltimore several weeks ago. It creates tangible challenges for your offense, and that's why it's so important that you start fast when you're in those adverse circumstances.

"That's why our ability to go down the field and score on the first possession, for example, in Baltimore a couple of weeks back, I thought was so significant in terms of trying to neutralize some of that.

"Our job this week is different, but I'm certainly glad that this game is being played in Acrisure."

Tomlin said he doesn't need to share a message to the fans.

He knows what they will bring, and he knows the team has to bring it as well.

"No message at all," said Tomlin. "That's our job to make sure that we have the appropriate engagement, and so I'm committed to that component of it."

Job description:The circumstances last Sunday in Cleveland, from the loss of tight end Darnell Washington to injury to the presence of game-wrecking edge rusher Myles Garrett on the Browns defense, meant running back Kenneth Gainwell was called upon to "chip" with regularity.

But that might not be the case in Sunday night's AFC North Division winner-take-all confrontation against the Ravens.

"Hopefully," Gainwell said. "Hopefully, we can get less of that. But it's all about executing our plays at the end of the day."

Gainwell had accounted for 50 yards rushing and 78 receiving on Dec. 21 in Detroit. He was limited to seven carries for 26 yards ands three catches on four targets for 12 yards in the Steelers' 13-6 loss to the Browns, the result that ensured this season's Baltimore rematch would be a survive-and-advance or lose-and-go-home affair.

Games don't get much bigger than that. But Gainwell is right at home in those circumstances after spending last season with the Eagles on the way to a Super Bowl championship.

"I know what it takes to win a game like this and try to advance," Gainwell said. "We have to be great on every possession, every down, get in the red zone and score.

"All those little things have to be perfect."

Experience is the best teacher in such situations, Gainwell maintains, but he's happy to pass along whatever he can from his experiences to his Steelers teammates.

"People have to get themselves in those positions, too, and understand the situations," he said. "But just learning from somebody that has been in those situations can help out tremendously, too.

"I think it comes down to detail, us being together, communicating. It comes down to communication."

The Steelers beat the Ravens, 27-22, on Dec. 7 in Baltimore. They threw for 288 yards in that initial meeting but 148 of those came on connections with wide receiver DK Metcalf, who will miss Sunday's rematch (suspension). That might mean a running game that only managed 34 yards on 17 attempts in Baltimore will need to be a bigger factor this time.

"Hopefully we get the run game going against them," Gainwell said. "It's about us executing, us getting to our blocks.

"We can run the ball, definitely, but at the same time it's all about us executing and doing what we have to do."

-- Blog entry by Mike Prisuta

More than family affair:Joey Porter Jr. plays some of his best games against the Baltimore Ravens, and his defensive coordinator, Teryl Austin, presumed earlier in the day that that competitiveness dates back to the days when his father, Joey Porter Sr. was involved in the rivalry.

Austin's right.

"Probably since I was little. Probably whenever my dad had that rivalry," Porter Jr. said of his competitive streak with the Ravens. "I feel like I always had that rivalry with them, and now I have my own rivalry versus them that we gotta sort out. So, it's a good thing that I get to be a part of."

Are these his favorite games?

"Everybody feels like I play 10 times harder when I play the Ravens," Porter Jr. said. "It's probably because I really don't like those guys. Nah, I'm playing, I think it's just my competitive spirit at the end of the day. We know how deep this rivalry is, and how long it's been going, how people cherish it, so I just carry that with me while I'm playing. I think that just gives me an actual little boost to get the job done."

The specifics of Porter Jr.'s view of the rivalry date back to Mike Tomlin's early days as the Steelers coach.

"Whenever Ryan Clark was playing and those dudes were really putting lights out, that's when everything got really intense," Porter Jr. said. "But who doesn't like those rivalries?"

He says it's only fitting that the Steelers-Ravens game is the final game of the NFL regular season.

"I feel like everybody wanted that," Porter Jr. said. "I mean, we're mad about what happened last week, obviously, but it's the New Year.

"Ravens versus Steelers at home for the hats and shirts, who wouldn't want that? This is an entertainment-type league, and that's entertaining, so I'm going to be excited for it. Everybody in here is excited for it. We're ready for it."

On a personal note, Porter Jr. was asked if his strong play this season is Pro Bowl worthy.

"I'll always have that confidence in myself," he said. "I'm always gonna think I'm the best out there, especially in the AFC. I think I'm that guy. But those are people's opinions. I just gotta keep getting better and work on my craft."

-- Blog entry by Jim Wexell

Persistence and perspective:Sunday's clash with Baltimore at Acrisure Stadium will come with the highest of stakes attached, but it's still the same game the two teams played on Dec. 7 in Baltimore, the same game the Steelers and Ravens have been playing probably for as long as anyone can remember.

That being the case, Steelers wide receiver Scotty Miller has a specific approach in mind.

"Try not to make it bigger than it is but at the same time you have to understand the moment, understand what's at stake," Miller said. "So just being super attentive to the details and just be ready to roll and ready to make some big plays.

"No one's oblivious to what's at stake and we're all acting like it. But at the same time I think everybody knows it's just the next game. We just have to do what we do and execute."

The Steelers were unable to do the latter well enough to secure victory last Sunday in Cleveland. In the absence of suspended wide receiver DK Metcalf, quarterback Aaron Rodgers targeted wide receivers Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Adam Thielen and Miller a combined 21 times but completed just eight of those throws for 60 yards against the Browns.

"Sometimes those games come," Miller acknowledged. "Is that a bad time for us? Obviously, with a lot on the line. But we watched the tape, we got better from it. There's a lot of stuff we could have been better on and we hope to show that on Sunday night."

The Steelers would have clinched the AFC. North Division championship had they beaten the Browns.

Now, Sunday night's winner will be awarded the hats and T-shirts, as well as a spot in the postseason, and the loser will be finished for the 2025 season.

"Going back it's just the details, whether it be alignment, assignment and then execution, each and every play," Miller continued. "Doing your job, not trying to do too much. In some of these big games, sometimes people try to do too much. So just doing your job and doing it to your best ability."

Miller's perspective on the matter includes his run to the Super Bowl championship with Tampa Bay at the conclusion of the 2020 season. Miller made four catches for 80 yards in the Buccaneers' four playoff victories, including a 39-yard reception from Tom Brady that helped beat Aaron Rodgers and the Packers in the NFC Championship Game.

"We feel great about our (wide receiver) group, we always have," Miller insisted. "We'll see what Cal's status (wide receiver Calvin Austin III) is for the game but we'll all be ready to go.

"A lot of us have been in these big games, big moments, we've all made big plays. It's just a matter of being opportunistic."

-- Blog entry by Mike Prisuta

Game day details: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."

-->>Buy Steelers-Ravens Tickets

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.

**Sign up today**.

Wednesday, December 31

Why you play the game:Receiver Calvin Austin III was back on the field on Wednesday, practicing in a limited fashion.

"I'm feeling good, really good," said Austin after practice. "Ready to go."

Whether or not he will be ready to go on Sunday night against the Baltimore Ravens at Acrisure Stadium is yet to be determined, but it's definitely a step in the right direction.

"I had a good practice today and doing all the steps I can to be ready for Sunday," said Austin, who has been dealing with a hamstring injury. "It's pretty tricky with those soft tissue injuries and stuff.

"But we've got a great training staff and I'm sure that we'll make a good plan to have me hopefully ready by Sunday.

"Praying and doing everything I can to work my way back and just be ready to go if my number's called."

Austin missed last Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns, something that didn't sit well with him, especially with the team already missing receiver DK Metcalf, who is suspended by the NFL.

"It was extremely frustrating, especially last weekend," said Austin. "Division team. Obviously, love competing against them and getting the chance to end it at their place would have definitely been special.

"But we get another week, so we're looking forward to it."

And what a week it is.

Steelers-Ravens is one of the most physical rivalries in the NFL and Austin knows what is on the line.

It's all or nothing for the AFC North division title.

"It's a very exciting time to step out and play football," said Austin. "It's exciting. Especially the circumstances.

"This is why you play football. These are the moments you live for."

Stopping the run:The Steelers defense knows one of the main keys for them to be successful on Sunday night against the Ravens is to stop the run.

It can be easier said than done, though, when Derrick Henry is on the other side.

"I just think when he gets his speed, it's hard to stop him," said linebacker Alex Highsmith. "So, the thing for us is we've just got to make sure he doesn't get the speed.

"Ultimately, when he gets downhill, he gets the speed, he uses a stiff arm. He runs through tackles.

"It starts with us up front, being physical, and getting on blocks, and making sure that he can't get downhill in full speed."

The last time the Steelers played the Ravens in Week 14, a 27-22 Steelers win, Henry rushed for 94 yards on 25 carries, while the Ravens had 217 yards rushing overall.

Since then the Steelers defense has stopped some of the league's best running backs.

"Obviously, the last time we played Baltimore, we gave up too many yards to the run," said Highsmith. "Honestly, the past few times we played them, we have.

"I feel like these past few games, we've definitely taken a step, and we've been playing more physical, getting off blocks well. I think that's just the key to the run defense. You can have the right scheme, schematic, and plays. But ultimately, if you want to be a good run defense, you've got to get off blocks and make tackles.

"So, I felt like we've been doing that good this past couple of weeks.

"You've got to do your job first and then be in the right place to make the play. You can't be doing too much, hopping out of the gaps, etc.

"Ultimately, it's just about making blocks, making tackles, and the most physical team is going to win this game."

Highsmith said one thing that would help the defense is if they get linebacker T.J. Watt back.

Watt, who missed the last three games because of his lung issue, was limited in practice on Wednesday.

"It's going to be awesome for us," said Highsmith. "He's our captain. He's our leader. So, to have him back is definitely going to be awesome.

"It's been awesome having him back at practice this week. You see just the joy in him because you know he truly loves this game. So, I know it's killing him to be out these past few weeks.

"Having him back would definitely be awesome."

It's an honor:Steelers-Ravens.

Of all the rivalries in the NFL, this is one that generates every emotion.

And on Sunday night, all of that will be on display.

Which is exactly why Coach Mike Tomlin opened his weekly press conference with a simple statement.

"Welcome to AFC North championship week, as I like to refer to it," said Tomlin.

And it comes as no surprise it's two teams that have a historic rivalry who are battling for it.

"It is an honor to be in these games," said Tomlin. "To be in these hotly contested matchups.

"Seems like Baltimore is always a dance partner.

"I certainly am respectful and appreciative of that relationship and some of the historic things we've been able to do when these two teams have come together. This appears to be one of those weekends.

"It's humbling and an honor to be a component of it, but to be a component of it is just that.

"Our job is to win."

It's a winner take all game, with the victorious team taking the title of AFC North champs.

It's a title the Steelers could have won last week with a win in Cleveland, but now it's come down to Week 18.

Tomlin said it's nothing to get frustrated over.

"There's a lot of things that you could get frustrated about in our business," said Tomlin. "I've learned to kind of always move forward.

"My windshield is much bigger than my rear view.

"I'm certainly interested in learning from our experiences, but I'm equally as interested in learning from our experiences that happened much earlier in the process. It's all food for growth from my perspective.

"Frustration doesn't get the job done. I'm singularly focused on putting together a good plan and preparing this group for this awesome opportunity that we have."

Tomlin said installing that type of mindset in his players simply comes with how he approaches things.

"I display that in my actions, and certainly I embrace that as a leader," said Tomlin. "There are things that we say, and then there's how we move.

"I like to have both aligned, and certainly I'm prepared to display singular focus and preparedness and urgency this week as we lean in on this opportunity."

Tomlin said the winner take all aspect this week is similar to the approach they have been attacking with since December began, a month where they have found a lot of success.

"I think that's reflective of December football," said Tomlin. "So, it's not only playoff, win or go home football, but I just think it's as the road gets narrow, as we say in this business, you see people taking calculated risk in pursuit of victory. Certainly, we're not opposed to that."

Making moves:The Steelers made multiple roster moves on Wednesday, including placing tight end Darnell Washington on the Reserve/Injured List and signing offensive lineman Jack Driscoll from the practice squad to the 53-man roster.

Washington suffered what Coach Mike Tomlin said was a broken arm in the Steelers Week 17 game against the Cleveland Browns. Washington has 31 receptions for 364 yards and a touchdown this season.

Driscoll, who was signed to the Steelers practice squad on Oct. 29, was elevated from the practice squad for the Week 15 game against the Miami Dolphins, Week 16 game against the Detroit Lions and Week 17 game against the Cleveland Browns.

Driscoll was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

He spent five seasons with the Eagles, appearing in 67 games, starting 18.

Driscoll played college football at Auburn, where he appeared in 25 games over two seasons. Prior to his time at Auburn, he spent two seasons at Massachusetts where he appeared in 22 games.

The team also signed tight end Jaheim Bell to the practice squad.

Bell was drafted by the New England Patriots in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Florida. He appeared in 15 games for the Patriots, with two receptions for 20 yards.

Bell also spent time on the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad this year.

Been there, done that:If anyone in the Steelers' locker room is familiar with what it takes to deal with profound disappointment and quickly turn the page in preparation for even more important games, it's rookie outside linebacker Jack Sawyer.

A year ago, Sawyer's Ohio State Buckeyes were upset by arch rival Michigan in the final game of the regular season. But OSU quickly moved past that and went on to beat Tennessee, Oregon, Texas and Notre Dame in succession on the way to capturing college football's national championship.

The Steelers won't be playing for the Super Bowl when they host the Ravens on Sunday night at Acrisure Stadium. But they'll be playing for a spot in the playoffs, just as they were last Sunday in Cleveland.

The difference this time is if they lose, the season is over. If they win, it's the Ravens who will be going home.

"It's similar, definitely," Sawyer acknowledged regarding the circumstances he's found himself confronting in consecutive seasons. Obviously it's a little different. But this is the first playoff game so we're looking forward to it. Nothing's ever going to be perfect. Coach Danny Smith (the Steelers' special team coordinator) says it best, there are no upsets in the NFL. Whoever plays the best in that game is going to win the game. It just comes down to execution and doing your job at a high level."

One of the keys to that, then and now, is "just coming together as a group and knowing what we're capable of," Sawyer maintained.

The Steelers, Sawyer included, are also aware of the damage Ravens running back Derrick Henry is capable of inflicting. Henry carried 36 times for 216 yards and four touchdowns in the Ravens' 41-24 victory last Sunday in Green Bay, a win that held up Baltimore's end of the bargain in creating this Sunday's winner-take-all confrontation for the AFC North Division championship. Henry rushed 26 times for 186 yards and two scores in the Ravens' 28-14 postseason victory over the Steelers last January in Baltimore and 25 times for 94 yards in the Steelers' 27-22 victory in their initial meeting with the Ravens this season on Dec. 7 in Baltimore.

"He's one of the best to ever run the football in the NFL," Sawyer acknowledged. "We have that respect for him. We know what it takes to stop him. It takes all of us, a team effort. He's a phenomenal player. He's having another great year. It's gonna be a battle.

"Obviously, there's a little bit of a different feeling. We're fighting for our lives here. Not only is it a rival game against Baltimore but it's here at home and it's for all the marbles.

"It's a collective effort when you play a group like this. Everyone has to be involved in everything. It's a good challenge. It's gonna be a lot of fun."

-- Blog entry by Mike Prisuta

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.

**Sign up today**.

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 Derrick 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."

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.

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