The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens are a combined 14-5 and will face off in Week 11 in one of the biggest games of the NFL's 2024 season. When the league originally released the schedule, it was never thought to be possible that Diontae Johnson would be participating in the game as a member of the Ravens. After being traded to the Carolina Panthers in the offseason, his short stint in Charlotte wasn't necessarily surprising. He was dealt to a contender in Baltimore and now will enter the Steel City as an enemy for the first time during his professional career.
The Steelers have plenty of familiarity with Johnson, but he hasn't been utilized much since joining the Ravens via a trade with the Panthers. Additionally, he had an unfortunate showing during Baltimore's Thursday Night Football game in Week 10. That may lead fans to believe that Head Coach John Harbaugh isn't quite ready to let the receiver loose.
To the contrary, Harbaugh held a press conference on Monday as his team gets ready for its biggest game of the 2024 campaign. He was asked about Johnson and if his activity would ramp up ahead of the showdown against the Steelers. It's safe to say that fans in Pittsburgh should get their boo birds ready; Johnson will likely be more of a factor sooner rather than later.
"Absolutely, absolutely," Harbaugh said. "[It's] the same kind of conversation, and [Diontae Johnson has] been here now for somewhat of a number of practices. Last week, we only had one practice. That was really where he got a chance to move around, but I would expect that to ramp up, yes."
Johnson remains one of the more talented route-runners in the NFL, but hasn't gotten much of a chance in 2024 to prove that he is going to be worth a big-time contract in the 2025 offseason. He could absolutely be a significant piece of what the Ravens are trying to do down the stretch, and that starts with an AFC North battle against the team that drafted him.
The Steelers enter Week 11 with a surprising record of 7-2 while the Ravens are 7-3. Baltimore hasn't had its bye week yet, but overall, this is the most important game of both organization's seasons. Pittsburgh has a tough stretch ahead with six of its eight remaining games coming within the division, but it would be the perfect start to the late-season stretch if the Steelers were able to take down Harbaugh's squad.
Johnson had a couple of good games with the Panthers, but nothing really to write home about. He will be eager to come back to the Steel City and put on a show, but fans will be ready for him him to drop a pass and cheer extraordinarily loud. The Steelers had some issues in the secondary against the Washington Commanders in Week 10, so it is going to be a tall task to contain a route-runner like Johnson and speedster such as Zay Flowers.
Pittsburgh's former receiver has experience going up against Joey Porter Jr. in practices, which is why it might make sense for Porter to focus on Flowers while someone else, such as Donte Jackson (if healthy), takes care of Johnson.
Steelers Have More To Worry About Aside From Johnson
Any time a defense has to worry about guys like Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, it is going to be a tough week of preparation. Baltimore has weapons all over the field and it will be imperative to find ways to shut down many different aspects of the opposing offense. This will be one of the biggest games in the NFL through 11 weeks and fans can only hope that Johnson's presence doesn't hurt the Steelers' chances of coming away with a victory.
