The Pittsburgh Steelers play in arguably the NFL's toughest division, the AFC North. All four teams, the Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns feel like they have a good enough roster to win the division in 2024. The games between AFC North rivals are notoriously physical and hard-hitting. Trash talking and taunting is almost always involved during division games as well, especially later in the season when teams are eyeing a playoff berth. This season, for the first time ever, Hard Knocks on HBO will feature an entire division during the season and of course, the AFC North was chosen.
Matt Freed / Post-Gazette
TJ Watt sacks Lamar Jackson in a home game against the Baltimore Ravens.
The Steelers finished 5-1 in the division last season. The only team they lost to was the Browns in an ugly 13-10 loss to backup quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Pittsburgh swept the Ravens and Bengals which is always fun, but it won't be that easy this upcoming season. The Steelers faced backup quarterbacks from each team as Joe Burrow and Deshaun Watson battled injuries, and Lamar Jackson sat out in Week 18 with a Ravens' playoff spot already clinched. Burrow and Watson are healthy heading into 2024, so the road will be tough to mimic 2023's success.
A healthy Burrow is a dangerous quarterback. He previously had surgery on his appendix before the 2022 season. The Bengals opened that season against the Steelers in Cincinnati where Burrow turned the ball over five times. He then went on to throw for 4,475 yards, 35 touchdowns, and finish fourth in MVP voting. Although the Steelers got the best of Burrow in the opening game of the 2022 season, Burrow can never be taken lightly. He's one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL and the Steelers will have to see him twice next season again if he stays healthy.
In a recent video posted on YouTube by Pardon My Take, hosted by Big Cat and PFT, Burrow talked about how he thinks taunting is part of the game at the professional level. Randy Moss' infamous "fake moon" celebration was brought up and Burrow commented.
"If I get a rushing touchdown this year, I might bring back the fake moon. It's gotta be on the road though."
Burrow was further provoked.
PFT: "Do it against Pittsburgh." Burrow: "Okay."
Burrow only has 10 rushing touchdowns in his four seasons with the Bengals, so there's no guarantee that we'll see him fake moon in the Steel City, but if he scores a rushing touchdown, pay attention to what he does after.
Chris Roling
Steelers' rival Cincinnati Bengals quarterback, Joe Burrow.
The Steelers Will Have To Deal With A Healthy Burrow In 2024
Burrow is 3-2 against the Steelers since 2020 when he was drafted number one overall. He's thrown 11 touchdowns and eight interceptions against Pittsburgh, but half of those interceptions came in one game. Burrow had season-ending wrist surgery last season, but will be ready to go for the 2024 regular season.
The infamous fake moon celebration was done by Moss as a member of the Minnesota Vikings in a Wild Card playoff game against their rival, the Green Bay Packers. This was during the 2004-05 season. Broadcaster Joe Buck was in disbelief of what he had seen and called the gesture a "disgusting act."
For Burrow to actually do the celebration, it would have to be a perfect set of events for him. He'd have to score a rushing touchdown in Pittsburgh and it's fair to assume that he wouldn't do it if his team was trailing. It's doubtful we see it happen, but if we do, Steelers fans probably aren't going to be happy and neither will the Steelers defense.
Associated Press
Former Steelers CB Levi Wallace (29) makes an acrobatic interception of Joe Burrow.
The Steelers defense, led by TJ Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Cam Heyward, Alex Highsmith, Joey Porter Jr., Patrick Queen and Keeanu Benton will be one of the league's best in 2024, and Burrow will have to deal with it twice. Hopefully they can keep Burrow out of the end zone and keep him from fake mooning Pittsburgh's fans.
Do you think Burrow will actually do the fake moon celebration? Let us know in the comments below!
#SteelerNation
