Tag: Najee Harris

Ravens fall to 7-4 as offense sputters in 18-16 loss to Steelers in Week 11

Ravens fall to 7-4 as offense sputters in 18-16 loss to Steelers in Week 11

Lamar Jackson will have to wait a few weeks to get that much-needed win over the Steelers after the Ravens sputtered in neutral for most of the afternoon in an 18-16 loss to Pittsburgh at Acrisure Stadium.

The NFL’s No. 1 ranked quarterback in QBR, Jackson was 16-33 passing for 207 yards (6.3 avg), one touchdown, one interception, and a 66.1 rating, the lowest of this season.

Jackson had four carries for 46 yards, while Derrick Henry was held to 65 yards (5.0 avg) on 13 carries and one rushing touchdown, tying the single-season franchise record for touchdowns.

Zach Orr’s maligned defense held Pittsburgh to 4-16 on third downs and 303 total yards, but Pittsburgh held the football for 36:22, compared to Baltimore’s 23:38.

The Steelers held the Ravens ‘ top-ranked offense to 329 yards and just 124 yards rushing. Justin Tucker’s two missed field goals will further magnify the two-point loss. On the day, Tucker was 1-3 on field goal attempts, while Steelers kicker Chris Boswell was a perfect 6-6, including a 57-yard field goal.

Baltimore will quickly regroup before a massive Monday night matchup against Jim Harbaugh and the 6-3 Los Angeles Chargers.

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Can Roquan Smith show Steelers’ Russell Wilson who’s truly dangerous in NFL Week 11?

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Russell Wilson goes by @dangerusswilson online but Baltimore Ravens LB Roquan Smith may have a rebuttal in week 11.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson goes by the tag @dangerusswilson on social media. Perhaps Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith will be looking to challenge that alias today.

Smith will be responsible for watching Wilson’s pre-snap reads and maneuvers in week 11. The Ravens’ defense must keep Wilson contained inside the pocket, which may allow the Ravens to tally up some sacks this afternoon.

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Smith is his team’s leading tackler, playing middle linebacker exceptionally well. Not only will Smith need to hawk Wilson Sunday afternoon, but he will also need to account for the Steelers’ play-action scheme with running back Najee Harris.

Quite frankly, in the upcoming war this afternoon, the question for the Ravens’ defense will be whether or not they can get off the field, especially on third downs. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin will want to keep the ball away from the Ravens’ offense as much as possible, so the Ravens’ defense needs to step up and stall drives.

Smith plays with tenacious intensity, and if he gets the chance to prove just how dangerous he can be this afternoon,  Game time is 1:00 p.m. ET.

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Steelers injury updates: RB Jaylen Warren expected to play vs Ravens

Jaylen Warren is listed as questionable but expected to play vs the Ravens.

Despite being unable to practice much at all this past week, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren could play on Sunday versus the Baltimore Ravens. This is according to ESPN NFL reporter Adam Schefter.

Warren appeared on the practice report on Thursday with a back injury that forced him to miss practice on Thursday and was limited on Friday. This is in addition to starting running back Najee Harris who dealt with an ankle injury all week but has no injury designation for this week’s game.

The Steelers are averaging 138.3 rushing yards per game. This is good enough for No. 8 in the league. The run game has taken off since Russell Wilson took over the starting quarterback job.

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Ravens vs. Steelers: Derrick Henry and Najee Harris may impact tempo

Both Baltimore Ravens HB Derrick Henry and Pittsburgh Steelers HB Najee Harris rank top ten in rushing attempts for the 2024 season.

Both Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry and Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris rank in the top ten in rush attempts for the 2024 season. Henry ranks No. 1 with 184 attempts while Harris has 157, sitting at No. 8. In their week 11 AFC North divisional matchup, which running back will dictate the pace?

Sunday’s forecast may yield gloomy weather as the Steelers look to remain ahead of their rival in the AFC. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has already expressed a concern with defending the very deep depth chart of the  Ravens offense. So, expect Tomlin to rely on Harris and reserve running back Jaylen Warren to feature numerous carries versus the Ravens’ No. 1 ranked rush defense.

Henry’s usage may actually be more critical for the Ravens if his team wants to prevail on the road. With Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt’s pass-rushing threat, Ravens’ offensive coordinator Todd Monken cannot get pass-happy this weekend. Granted, Henry, a minimum of 19 carries will be important if the Ravens want to dictate the game tempo.

Tomlin never seems to get off schedule, and his determination is clearly expressed in his dedication to Harris and the Steelers ground game. Harris only has 645 total rushing yards compared to Henry’s 1,120, but Tomlin insists on feeding him the ball, knowing that the offense relies on his production. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh must be mindful of the Steelers’ game plan and counter by using Henry to control the game tempo and extend offensive drives.

Najee Harris compares Steelers-Ravens rivalry to Alabama-LSU

Najee Harris compares the Steelers-Ravens rivalry to his Alabama days battling Joe Burrow’s LSU, highlighting the physicality of Week 11.

Najee Harris, currently outperforming expectations during his contract year, is the heart and soul of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ impressive rushing attack in 2024, averaging 4.1 yards per carry, on 157 rushing attempts for 645 yards through nine games.

During Thursday’s media availability, Harris explained that he expects physicality to play a pivotal role in the Week 11 matchup against the Steelers’ AFC North rivals, the Baltimore Ravens.

When asked what the rivalry between the Steelers and Ravens means to him, Harris took trip down memory lane, explaining that it reminds him of his college days at Alabama, going head-to-head with the Joe Burrow-led LSU.

The Steelers’ RB has an opportunity to showcase his team’s desire to further solidify their place in the AFC North divisional title race, and Harris’ physical, downhill running style could be exactly what the team needs to walk away victorious in Week 11.

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Steelers injury update: Offensive star misses practice with ankle injury

Steelers RB Najee Harris missed practice on Wednesday.

When the Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, they could be doing so without their star running back. According to the team’s practice report, starting running back Najee Harris didn’t practice on Wednesday while he deals with an ankle injury.

If Harris can’t go against the Ravens, Jaylen Warren would be the team’s feature back. On the season, Warren has only 55 carries and 217 rushing yards. This is in seven games.

Harris has 645 rushing yards on the season and is well on his way to his fourth straight 1,000-yard rushing season to start his career. The Steelers also have veteran Cordarrelle Patterson who has proven to be a great fit in the Steelers new offense at running back.

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Steelers RB Najee Harris among elite company in 2024

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris is among elite company in the 2024 NFL season.

In his fourth season, Najee Harris is finally starting to look like the running back the Pittsburgh Steelers selected with their 24th-overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft.

Harris is running with purpose and vision in a contract year after the Steelers declined his fifth-year option.

On pace for his fourth-consecutive 1000+ yard season, Harris is among elite company in 2024: He’s tied with Baltimore Ravens’ Derrick Henry for the most 25+ yard rushes (4) over the last three weeks. Philadephia Eagles’ Saquon Barkley joins them with three.

Harris is looking at an opportunity for his fourth consecutive 100+ yard ground game on Sunday. The Commanders’ defense ranks 28th against the run, allowing 142 yards per game and nine touchdowns this season.


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Insider believes Najee Harris is unlikely to re-sign with Steelers

Ray Fittipaldo said that while Najee Harris’ play has been great this season, the odds of him re-signing remain low.

Najee Harris has been one of the best running backs in the NFL this season, ranking seventh in rushing yards with 592 on 4.4 yards per carry.

But in the eyes of Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo, Harris is unlikely to be back in Pittsburgh next year.

While making an appearance on “The Joe Starkey Show,” Fittipaldo was asked if Harris’ numbers were enough for Pittsburgh to re-sign the running back.

Much to the dismay of Steelers fans, Fittipaldo stated: “The guy is having a great season, but when you decline the option in May, I think, you know, eight, nine times out of 10, you’re not gonna go do business with that guy when the season ends.”

He was, of course, referencing how Pittsburgh declined to pick up Harris’ fifth-year option, which would allow him to hit free agency in 2025.

Could Harris force the Steelers to acknowledge his elite performance in his contract year, ultimately earning himself a big payday with the team? Or will Pittsburgh instead choose to re-sign the potentially cheaper option in RB Jaylen Warren?

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Could potential trade target give Pittsburgh three-headed RB monster?

While WR is a big area of concern for Pittsburgh at the trade deadline, the team should inquire about Chicago’s RB Khalil Herbert.

The Steelers’ RB room could go from great, to unstoppable with a potential trade for Chicago Bears RB Khalil Herbert.  Fans of the Steel City understand the team’s identity on offense and what they do well—running the football.  Third-string Steelers’ RB and kick returner, Cordarrelle Patterson, has been injured for the past four Steelers’ contests, forcing the the team to rely on practice squad elevations to alleviate depth concerns.

Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren form one of the most deadly rushing attack tandems in the league today, and a cheap trade for Herbert could make this Steelers offense even deadlier.

As Herbert has been used sparingly by Chicago, he would likely be relatively cheap to acquire. Steelers’ General Manager Omar Khan has a track record of acquiring great talent for far less than their expected market value, and Herbert could be seen as a layup for the Pittsburgh GM.

An acquisition of Herbert takes nothing away from the team’s need for a WR trade at the November 5th deadline, but makes all the difference in adding another dynamic playmaker to the running game.

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Will Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry’s success change how RBs are viewed in free agency?

Will Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry’s success change how the running back position is viewed in free agency?

Five of the NFL’s top ten leading rushers in 2024 were on different teams in 2023, and three of those players, Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, and Josh Jacobs, were vocal about running backs getting the short end of the stick when it comes to contracts, and a fair pay scale for the position.

Before this season, only Christian McCaffrey ($19M) and Alvin Kamara ($15M) were the outliers for massive contracts for running backs. Since then, Jonathan Taylor scored a deal for $14 million per season, while Barkley ($12.5M) and Jacobs ($12M) have proven the doubters the wrong on dishing out considerable contracts to running backs.

Ahead of the Week 8 matchup against the Bengals, Barkley was asked if his and Derrick Henry’s success this season can change how the position is viewed in free agency and when new deals are discussed.

Barkley is among the top five in rushing yards, while Henry is on pace to shatter the league’s single-season rushing record. Joe Mixon, David Montgomery, and Aaron Jones flourish with new teams or deals.

James Conner (Cardinals), Jones, Najee Harris, Nick Chubb, J.K. Dobbins, and Chuba Hubbard are among the big names who’ll test free agency, and this new theory that dual-threat running backs deserve to be paid like their counterparts at wide receiver.