The Steelers (7-4) are the early favorites of their Week 13 matchup towards the Cardinals (2-10). Head coach Mike Tomlin believes there’s one participant that might play a big position in upsetting Pittsburgh on Sunday.
“We will not enable James Conner to do what James does,” Tomlin instructed reporters. “Know and love and bought numerous respect for James. He’s a official robust man, a big-time competitor. Anticipating nothing however his best possible coming again into Pittsburgh as a result of I do know him.”
Conner was drafted by the Steelers within the third spherical of the 2017 NFL Draft and performed on the College of Pittsburgh throughout his collegiate profession. He’s actually seeking to get his revenge this week as it’s his first time going through his former staff.
The seventh-year working again has 526 speeding yards and two touchdowns this season however missed 4 video games with a knee damage he suffered in Week 5, which proves he is nonetheless deserving of the three-year, $21M contract Arizona gave him in 2022.
Following Conner’s first 4 seasons (2017-20) the place he totaled 2,302 speeding yards, he seemingly needed to proceed his professional profession within the metropolis the place it began. However the Steelers had different plans, drafting RB Najee Harris with their first-round choose within the 2021 NFL Draft.
Conner will certainly do his greatest to outplay Harris on Sunday and show Pittsburgh mistaken for giving up on him. The one factor Tomlin is targeted on is conserving him out of the tip zone.
“Other than his will and intangible issues, man, his skillset,” Tomlin added. “When he will get into the secondary, he is robust to take care of. He is a combative runner. He has a nostril for the road to achieve and the objective line — he has for his whole profession. He is at all times been a landing scorer.”
The Steelers should keep away from this lure sport as a win shouldn’t be solely anticipated however mandatory in every week the place the Ravens (9-3) are on their bye. It could shorten Pittsburgh’s hole within the AFC North with Baltimore, whom it defeated in Week 5.
