Pittsburgh is familiar territory for Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Diontae Johnson, who returns there this Sunday to face his former team, the Steelers, at Acrisure Stadium in what has become an AFC North showdown with high stakes and emotions attached. The game has playoff implications, and, if past results are any indicator, it could end in fireworks.
Diontae Johnson on Returning to Pittsburgh: “I Loved It”
Johnson, who played with the Steelers for several seasons before heading out to the Ravens didn’t hesitate when queried regarding his sentiments for his former team and the city where he used to reside.
“Man, I had a great career there. I loved it,” Johnson said Tuesday, via Ryan Mink of the Ravens’ website. “Great city, people great there. I know what they’re about. I can’t wait to get to Sunday to just be back in that stadium.”
Johnson’s time in Pittsburgh was anything but forgettable. He quickly became a major weapon on offense for the Steelers, compiling some fantastic numbers, and his teammates and fans found a lot to respect. The Sunday game being played at Acrisure Stadium perhaps is not going to be light-hearted festivity as Johnson was all pumped up to help Ravens get a crucial win over the old team.
AFC North Clash: Steelers vs Ravens
The Steelers and Ravens are neck-and-neck in the AFC North standings, with Pittsburgh resting at 7-2 and Baltimore close behind at 7-3. Each of these teams is fighting for the division, so this matchup is one of the most anticipated games of the season.
- For the Steelers, a divisional lead is all that matters. Their defense- spearheaded by stars in T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick-has been hard to crack, going into this week as one of the best in the league in takeaways. Still, they will need to be razor-sharp against the in-form Ravens offense, particularly with Johnson adding a new element to the Baltimore passing game.
- Meanwhile, the Ravens would be looking to bounce back from last week’s heartbreaking loss. A win against the Steelers not only would tighten the division race but also indicate that Baltimore is built for a deep playoff run. Knowing Johnson’s thoughts behind the Steelers’ defensive schemes, the Ravens can pick up on some sort of tactical aspect in how to beat Pittsburgh at its vulnerabilities.
Can Johnson Be the X-Factor?
Johnson is very familiar with the Steelers’ defense, which may play a vital role in the game on Sunday. He has practiced against Pittsburgh’s secondary for years and knows its tendencies and strategies better than anybody. That inside knowledge may give quarterback Lamar Jackson and the Ravens a critical edge when forming their game plan.
#Steelers Mike Tomlin on Diontae Johnson w Ravens
‘Haven’t thought a lot about him’ pic.twitter.com/iwzpZxVhTw— 93.7 The Fan (@937theFan) November 12, 2024
Since being traded from the Carolina Panthers to the Ravens, Johnson has yet to fully immerse himself in the high powered Ravens Offense. A matchup against his former team could spark that fire needed to have a great game. His separation ability and his turning of short passes into big gains really make him one of those players the Steelers defense can’t ignore.
While that is what the Steelers might be hoping, Pittsburgh’s defensive coordinator, Teryl Austin, will surely have a plan in place to wear away at Johnson’s impact. The Steelers know perhaps more than anybody what Johnson gives to the table, and they will work immediately to make uncomfortable his relationship with Jackson.
Emotional Factor: Homecoming Under Pressure
To Johnson, though, there’s more to the game than Xs and Os as he will return to Acrisure Stadium, where his career was built, and memory after memory was created with those same Steelers fans. The emotions will be running thick, but to Johnson’s credit, he seems focused on the task at hand.
For Steelers fans, Johnson in a Ravens jersey is going to be nothing less than jarring, but that is the great evolution of the NFL. As Johnson said himself, “I know what they’re about,” and he’s all set to prove that he could still come up shining-even against the team that gave him his name.
AFC North Rivals: A Game to Remember
As the AFC North title race starts to come into focus, Sunday’s Steelers-Ravens clash will be much more than just another game-it will be a ‘statement game’ for both teams. And for Diontae Johnson, it is the chance to sparkle on the same field where once he and his house alumni used to star, but this time in another jersey yet with the same hunger for victory.
Regardless of whether you are a die-hard Steelers fan or a supporter of the Ravens, all the ingredients are in place for an unforgettable showdown. From the emotional storyline of Johnson’s return to high stakes for the division, this is one matchup you won’t want to miss.
Also Read: Steelers vs. Ravens: Reliving 3 of the Most Unforgettable Clashes in NFL History
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