Can Russell Wilson, Pat Freiermuth Stay Hot Vs. Ravens’ improved secondary?

Pittsburgh Steelers Steelers News

PITTSBURGH – Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson and tight end Pat Freiermuth have developed a special connection. The two have connected for a touchdown in each of the past three games.

They look to stay hot against the Ravens this week, but Freiermuth doesn’t believe it will be easy against their much-improved secondary.

“They limit a lot of explosive plays,” Freiermuth said. “Earlier in the year they gave up a lot of explosive plays, but I think moving Kyle (Hamilton) back to full-time safety and Marlon (Humphrey) to nickel has done a really good job of keeping the lid on it. and bleeding slowly. So we have to increase our focus and maintain the drive.”

Freiermuth may be on a three-game tear, reeling in 12 catches for 138 yards to go along with his three scores, but his worst game of the season came against the Ravens.

In Week 11, Baltimore held Freiermuth to a season-low two catches for 14 yards.

That’s not going to sway Wilson to look away from Freiermuth now, though, especially with the status of wide receiver George Pickens very much up in the air.

Wilson supported that idea when he raved about Freiermuth on Wednesday.

“Pat Freiermuth is on fire. He has done a fantastic job of making plays,” Wilson said. “He was one of the reasons I was excited to come here. He continues to rise in a great way.”

If true, it’s a little puzzling why it took so long for Wilson to start seeing Freiermuth’s way on a consistent basis. In their first four games together, Freiermuth only managed about two catches for 25 yards per carry. match.

Freiermuth suggested that Wilson’s calf injury initially might have had something to do with it.

“It takes time,” Freiermuth said. “Obviously it was tough that he missed time earlier in the year, but he has a good sense of what I’m going to do and I have a good sense of what he expects when he crawls out of the pocket or the ball. certain routes. So it’s a process and we have to keep getting better at that.”

Nevertheless, expect to see Wilson look Freiermuth’s way early and often on Saturday in a battle for the division, especially if Pickens misses his third straight game.

If the Steelers win, they will officially be crowned the kings of the AFC North. That’s all Freiermuth needs to hear.

“It’s pretty big. Obviously we want to control our own destiny, to be able to go into Baltimore, win the division, something you dream about as a little kid. So I’m excited. Those guys, who have been here in my draft class, this is our first opportunity at a game like this,” Freiermuth said. “What better way to win it than against one of our biggest rivals in their stadium.”

Mentioned in this article: Baltimore Ravens Kyle Hamilton Marlon Humphrey Pat Freiermuth Pittsburgh Steelers Ravens Russell Wilson Steelers top