Steelers Fans Will Give A Rude Awakening To Kyler Murray For His First NFL Game In Pittsburgh: “I’m Expecting A Hostile Environment”

The Pittsburgh Steelers enter Week 13 with a promising 7-4 record, eager to maintain their momentum against the struggling Arizona Cardinals, who stand at 2-10. The disparity in their records sets the stage for an intriguing matchup as the Steelers are heavily favored. 

For the Cardinals, it's been a tumultuous season, particularly for their highly paid quarterback, Kyler Murray. Murray has taken the field in just three games this year, posting a lackluster 1-2 record. His statistical performance has been far from stellar, with 719 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, and a QBR of 47.5. In his defense, it's important to note that he hasn't been the sole cause of the Cardinals' struggles, and he has had limited support to work with.

Facing the Steelers in Hostile Territory

Murray's challenges are far from over as he prepares to lead the Cardinals into Acrisure Stadium, a venue known for its raucous and hostile crowd. 

For Murray, this marks his first time playing in Pittsburgh as an NFL player, and he's well aware of the passionate fan base he'll encounter. Murray addressed the Cardinals media, sharing his thoughts on the impending away game against the Steelers.

"I'm expecting a hostile environment with fans who love football and their team. I honestly enjoy playing on the road. We were taught that in college, being road warriors and going into another place and winning. That was something we prided ourselves on, trying to take that into the league. It’s really a mindset. It's going to be fun. I have never been there for an NFL game, although I have for a college game, but I'm sure it's going to be a sight to see, so we've got to go in and execute."

While Murray may relish the challenge of playing on the road, this particular matchup presents a daunting task for the struggling Cardinals.

A Humbling Defeat to the Rams

In their recent game against the Los Angeles Rams, the Cardinals experienced a humbling defeat, with the Rams dominating them for the entire 60 minutes. The Cardinals were defeated at home by a score of 37-14. Murray expressed his determination to bounce back and erase the taste of defeat from their recent performance.

"You can be pissed off about it, but I mean, the emotions don’t really do anything for you going into this week. Obviously that leaves a nasty taste in your mouth, but again, we have another opponent this week, a very good one. Last week is over with."

The T.J. Watt Challenge

Looking ahead to the Steelers matchup, Murray emphasized the importance of limiting the impact of Steelers' pass rusher TJ Watt, a formidable force on the field and someone that Head Coach Mike Tomlin has recently coined as “the best defensive player on the planet.”

“I’m very aware of him. Last time I suited up against the Steelers my rookie year. So I played against him before. He’s obviously a great player. They have many great players over there. Obviously we have to be aware of him and we will be.”

With two teams headed in contrasting directions poised to clash, it's crucial to bear in mind that this game takes place in the unpredictable realm of the NFL, where surprises abound. The Steelers' offense is also in the spotlight, having amassed yards in their recent encounter with the Cincinnati Bengals, but struggling to convert them into more than a single touchdown. This matchup against the Cardinals provides Steelers fans with an opportunity to gain a clearer insight into the performance of their offense without Matt Canada at the helm. 

For Murray and the Cardinals, overcoming the raucous Pittsburgh crowd and a formidable Steelers defense will be a challenging endeavor. However, as they say in football, anything can happen on any given Sunday, and the Cardinals are eager to prove their mettle and bounce back from a recent setback. The showdown at Acrisure Stadium promises to be an intriguing battle, one that fans on both sides will be watching closely.

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