The Pittsburgh Steelers are in the middle of a short week. They took down their biggest rival in the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, and now they are going through a quick turnaround as they travel to play the Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football in Week 12. The Browns have had an extremely disappointing season in 2024. They currently have a record of 2-8 and are an extreme long shot to make the playoffs after having such high hopes going into the season, and Pittsburgh has a chance to pile on come Thursday night.
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Wide receiver George Pickens makes a one-handed catch for the Pittsburgh Steelers with Cleveland Browns cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. defending.
One matchup to watch on Thursday night will be George Pickens going up against either of the Browns' starting quarterbacks: Denzel Ward and Martin Emerson Jr. This is one of the more electric cornerback duos in the NFL, and the two clashing with Pickens during a prime time game will be something to watch. Ward spoke to the media on Monday where he was asked about Pickens' play and how the wide receiver likes to get under the skin of defenders.
"Yeah, he's fun to go against," Ward said. "People don't really get under my skin. I don't know. I'm not really too concerned about a player trying to get under my skin. I'm going out there to try to do what I can to help the team win. Make plays."
Ward and Pickens are familiar with one another as the two have gone at it twice a season since Pickens joined the league in 2022. Ward is a bit underrated as a cornerback, but should be considered one of the best in the league. Pickens is on his way to becoming one of the NFL's best wide receivers as he currently sits in third place when it comes to receiving yards on the year.
Matt Starkey / Cleveland Browns
Browns' Denzel Ward lined up against the New Orleans Saints during a loss in 2024.
Pickens is always doing extra things on the football field in an attempt to get under the defense's skin. Oftentimes the receiver is exaggerating a celebration following a play, getting a good hit in while run blocking, or getting extra-handsy at the top of his routes. This could really get a defensive back angry, especially if Pickens is producing while doing all of this. Ward made sure to state that these kinds of things don't bother him, but we'll see how the veteran cornerback reacts on Thursday.
The third-year wide receiver has played pretty well against the Browns throughout his career. During his rookie season in 2022, he hauled in six passes for 111 yards and a touchdown during the two matchups, and he surpassed those numbers in 2023 by catching eight passes for 165 yards and a touchdown against Cleveland.
Pickens will look to improve on those numbers come Thursday night, as he is in a much better situation within the offense than he was during the first two seasons of his career. He has the best quarterback of his NFL career, and a play-caller that knows how to scheme him open. Pickens could be in for a big game in Week 12.
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Steelers' Russell Wilson and George Pickens celebrate after connecting on a touchdown in 2024.
Steelers' George Pickens Continues To Grow His Relationship With Russell Wilson
Russell Wilson is by far the best quarterback Pickens has had so far in his career as a professional. Wilson has now started four games for Pittsburgh, and he seems to find Pickens more and more as each week goes by. Against Baltimore in Week 11, Pickens was targeted 12 times by Wilson, and the receiver hauled in eight passes.
The Browns defense has struggled in 2024, so Wilson and Pickens have a good chance to put up big numbers against their division rival. Pickens is currently having the best season of his career, and he should be able to build on it while lining up across from Ward.
What do you think of Ward's comments? Let us know in the comments below!
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