In a season plagued by injuries, the Pittsburgh Steelers finally have a glimmer of hope on the horizon. Head coach Mike Tomlin revealed on Sunday that standout rookie wide receiver George Pickens has a “real chance” of suiting up for the team’s critical Christmas Day clash with the Kansas City Chiefs. Pickens, who has missed the last three games with a hamstring injury, would provide a much-needed spark to a Steelers offense that has struggled mightily in his absence.
Pickens’ Potential Impact
There’s no denying the immense talent and big-play ability that Pickens brings to the table. The second-round pick out of Georgia has emerged as the Steelers’ top receiving threat in his debut campaign, consistently making highlight-reel catches and stretching the field with his blazing speed. His presence alone forces defenses to account for him on every snap, opening up opportunities for his teammates in the passing game and lightening the box for the running backs.
“He is a splash playmaker,” Tomlin said of Pickens. “He’s a one-on-one playmaker. Oftentimes he controls schematics which creates one-on-ones for others or a light box regarding the run, but that’s what talented outside people do.”
– Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach
Without Pickens stretching the field, opposing defenses have been able to key in on stopping the run and short passing game. The Steelers are averaging just 248.3 yards per game over the last three weeks, a significant drop-off from their season average of 324.9. Their usually potent ground attack has also sputtered, managing a mere 97.7 rushing yards per game during that span compared to their 10th-ranked season mark of 126 per game.
Offensive Reinforcements
Pickens isn’t the only offensive weapon who could make his return against Kansas City. Tight end Justin Fields also has a chance to be back in action after missing time with an injury of his own. The rookie fourth-rounder showed flashes of promise earlier in the year and would give either Mitch Trubisky or Kenny Pickett another reliable target over the middle of the field.
The bad news is that fellow wide receiver Ben Skowronek, who exited early in the loss to the Ravens, seems unlikely to be ready on a short week. The Steelers are also expected to be without cornerback Joey Porter Jr., dealing another blow to a secondary that has been decimated by injuries this season. Still, getting Pickens back could be just the boost this team needs to pull off the upset at Arrowhead Stadium and keep their fading playoff hopes alive.
A Tall Task Ahead
Make no mistake, even a healthy Pickens won’t make this an easy game for Pittsburgh. The Chiefs have one of the most explosive offenses in football, led by superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his bevy of speedy pass-catchers. Rookie receiver Xavier Worthy has been a revelation, emerging as one of Mahomes’ favorite targets and a true game-breaker in his own right.
“Anybody that has talented outside people like [Chiefs WR Xavier] Worthy will do some of the same things to us.”
– Mike Tomlin on the challenges Kansas City’s receivers will pose
The Steelers will need a total team effort on both sides of the ball to slow down Mahomes and company. But if Pickens can return to form and provide the big plays this offense has been sorely lacking, anything is possible. Tomlin knows his team’s playoff chances are hanging by a thread, and he’ll surely have them fired up and ready for battle under the bright lights of Christmas Day.
- Dec 25: Steelers @ Chiefs – The most important game remaining on Pittsburgh’s schedule, and their toughest test.
- Jan 1: Steelers vs Browns – A heated divisional rivalry with playoff implications as each team jockeys for position.
- Jan 8: Steelers @ Colts – Potential trap game against a Colts squad with nothing to lose in their season finale.
A loss to the Chiefs wouldn’t mathematically eliminate the Steelers from playoff contention, but it would put their fate largely out of their own hands. They’ll likely need to win out and get some help from the teams ahead of them in the wild-card race. But a vintage performance from Pickens paired with an inspired effort on defense could give them a fighting chance against the AFC’s top dogs.
All eyes will be on the rookie phenom in pregame warmups to see if he’s moving around without limitation. If Pickens does indeed return to action, Steeler Nation will be hoping he can channel some of that Christmas magic and deliver an unforgettable performance on the biggest stage. Their season may very well depend on it.
