The Pittsburgh Steelers opened their season with a notable 18-10 win over the Atlanta Falcons. Although Russell Wilson was named the starter, he informed Justin Fields just 90 minutes before kickoff that he couldn’t play due to a bothersome calf injury. Fields stepped in and performed admirably, connecting with George Pickens six times for 85 yards.
Fans are already looking to Pickens to deliver similar performances throughout the season, given the concerns about the depth and talent in the Steelers' wide receiver corps beyond him. With these concerns in mind, Pickens faces a tough challenge in Week 2 against Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II.
Surtain is expected to shadow Pickens for most of the game. In Week 1, Surtain effectively neutralized Seattle Seahawks star DK Metcalf, limiting him to just three catches for 29 yards. If Surtain can replicate this success against Pickens, it will put added pressure on the rest of the Steelers' receiving group to step up.
When asked on Wednesday about facing one of the league's top corners, Pickens was focused and determined. The matchup promises to be a crucial test for both him and the Steelers' offense as they continue to navigate their season.
"Just be myself, to be honest. I went up against Pat Surtain in college. So a lot of this stuff isn’t new for me."
Pickens revealed that he’s quite familiar with Surtain, having faced him multiple times during their college careers in the SEC. Surtain, a standout at Alabama, and Pickens, a dynamic receiver from Georgia, have a history that makes their upcoming matchup particularly exciting.
Broncos Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph is expected to have Surtain shadow Pickens throughout the game on Sunday. With the Steelers lacking a proven WR2 behind Pickens, Surtain can focus his attention solely on him. Consequently, the Steelers will need another wide receiver to emerge if Pickens is effectively neutralized.
"He’s just a good player. I’m a good player. There’s a lot of good players around the league."
In Week 1, Pickens faced off against the elite AJ Terrell Jr., and despite a controversial offensive pass interference call that could have cost him well over 100 receiving yards, Pickens still delivered a solid performance against a top cornerback. Now, he’s set to go up against what many consider the best cornerback in the league.
This upcoming matchup is sure to be thrilling for Steelers fans. If Pickens can perform well despite Surtain’s coverage, it could alleviate concerns about the team's wide receiver depth, proving that he’s nearly unstoppable. However, it will also give fans a clearer picture of who might step up as WR2.
In Week 1, the Steelers' wide receivers behind Pickens struggled, combining for just two catches and eight yards. Van Jefferson, who was anticipated to step up as the WR2, managed only one catch for a single yard, while Calvin Austin III had one catch for seven yards. Such limited production will not be sufficient if Pickens is shut down by Surtain. The team will need much more from their other receivers to stay competitive.
Steelers' Roman Wilson Ready To Play Sunday
The Steelers also have Scotty Miller and Roman Wilson in the mix. There's hope that Wilson will be fully healthy and ready to play against the Broncos, though his status is still uncertain. Wilson is pushing to play as he mentioned after practice on Wednesday. Wilson said he's ready to play but the decision will be made as the game gets closer.
On a positive note, he did practice on Wednesday, which is encouraging for the team. Miller also has a chance to make a significant impact in this game.
For the Steelers to succeed, another wide receiver besides Pickens will likely need to step up and deliver a standout performance. Fans are eagerly anticipating the showdown between Pickens and Surtain. This matchup promises to be a thrilling spectacle, so get your popcorn ready—it’s going to be a must-watch game.
