NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

Pittsburgh Steelers: Studs and duds vs. Ravens in Week 5

By Samuel Teets

PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 06: Devlin Hodges #6 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks to pass during the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on October 6, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 06: Devlin Hodges #6 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks to pass during the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on October 6, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 06: JuJu Smith-Schuster #19 of the Pittsburgh Steelers makes a catch in front of Maurice Canady #26 of the Baltimore Ravens in the second half during the game at Heinz Field on October 6, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 06: JuJu Smith-Schuster #19 of the Pittsburgh Steelers makes a catch in front of Maurice Canady #26 of the Baltimore Ravens in the second half during the game at Heinz Field on October 6, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

Stud: Cameron Heyward, DT

Steelers fans were worried at the start of the season because so many veterans had slow starts to the year. Heyward, who had a good preseason, did not record a sack in the first three games. He didn’t record a quarterback hit during that time either and only had two tackles for loss.

Things changed for the Bettie in Week 4 when Heyward tallied 2.5 sacks, three quarterback hits, and a tackle for loss. The Ohio St. product continued to build on his momentum with a sack, two quarterback hits, and a tackle for loss against the Ravens.

More from NFL Spin Zone

Heyward was a First Team All-Pro back in 2017 and made the Pro Bowl last season. During that two-year stretch, he has 20 sacks and Pittsburgh has led the NFL in total sacks during that time.

Dud: JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR

While his numbers will decline this season, Smith-Schuster has been working as hard as ever. He’s done everything Pittsburgh has asked of him and has not gotten frustrated despite the mediocre quarterback play dampening his statistics.

Smith-Schuster is beloved in Pittsburgh, but he has to learn to hold onto the ball at the end of big games. He fumbled in overtime and the Ravens got the ball close enough for Justin Tucker to end the overtime matchup. While Smith-Schuster was Pittsburgh’s most productive offensive player during the game, fumbling the way he did is unacceptable. Originally, I had Smith-Schuster as a stud but the fumble changes things.

In the game, Smith-Schuster was targeted seven times and he caught all seven passes for 75 yards and a 35-yard touchdown. He’s a great person, a great leader, and a great player, but he came up short when it mattered most. That’s a fair criticism.

Home/Pittsburgh Steelers