Steelers Week 18 MV3's

For the people tweeting out MV3 for Lamar Jackson's MVP campaign, know I did it first! The Steelers walk onto their home turf and embarrassingly lose for the fourth time in 20 days. A Cincinnati team built just on their offense and none of the defense. Despite this, the Bengals would score 19 points, their lowest since week eight. Unfortunately, the Steelers forgot how two-minute drills work and fell short of Cincy 19-17. At least it was a close game? Let's see who gave it their all in the disappointing regular season finale!

Honorable Mentions:

Payton Wilson - 10 tackles, 1 TFL

DeShon Elliot - 8 tackles, 1 TFL

Joey Porter Jr. - 6 tackles, 1 pass defense

#3: Keeanu Benton - 5 tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL, 1 QB Hit

One of the more underrated players on the Steelers defense. The 2nd round pick in 2023 out of Wisconsin, the defensive tackle Keeanu Benton had a solid day up the middle, including a HUGE sack on Joe Burrow late in the 4th quarter that would give the Steelers one last shot to take the lead. On a day where TJ Watt was SHUTOUT stat-wise, it's nice to know the middle is still covered well.

#2: Patrick Queen - 5 tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL, 1 pass defense, 2 QB Hits, 1 FF

In terms of linebacker cores, the Steelers have the best depth-wise. TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith, Payton Wilson, Nick Herbig, Elandon Roberts, Cole Holcomb, and Patrick Queen. Queen hasn't hit his stride YET compared to his time in Baltimore. But there's still time, as Queen's contract isn't up until after the 2026 season—still a young talent, all things considered. He is one of the better pass-rushing inside linebackers in the league, and with games like this, Queen shows he can go as a starter, including a big sack-fumble on Burrow that stopped the Bengals on third down. If Queen can clean up the missed tackles and stop the run, the Steelers defense would further flourish.

#1: Pat Freiermuth - 8 rec, 85 receiving yards, 1 receiving TD

Why was there only one good offensive performance? Freiermuth ends the regular season as numero uno on the MV3 list! A 19-yard TD reception put the Steelers comeback in people's minds, and eleven targets for him as well! And i'm not holding his late game drop against him. I'm not sure the Steelers would have had time to clock the ball had he caught it anyways, and this loss isn't on him, that's for sure.

As the receiving room is in question, the tight end out of Penn State continues to be a helpful and key part of the offense. He finishes his fourth season with 65 receptions (8th among TEs), 653 receiving yards (12th among TEs), and 7 receiving TDs (4th among TEs)—another solid season from the 55th overall pick in 2021!

The regular season ends in depressing form. From a team that looked like a dark horse pick for a Super Bowl, the team is now arguably the worst in the AFC playoffs. The Steelers will take on the Ravens in Baltimore next week. The Ravens are a team the Steelers proved they can beat back in November. But a lot can change in a month, as the Steelers look mentally defeated and can't hang with the big boys. However, a victory in the playoffs can finally get the Steelers out of a hump that has haunted them since their last playoff win in 2017. But another one-and-done playoff loss, from a rival nonetheless, would kill what little credibility the Steelers still possess. Good luck to the boys next week, as we hope to see some flicker of light in the dark.