The Seahawks are back on the road in Week 6, heading to Pittsburgh while looking to bounce back from last week's loss to the Rams. The Seahawks won in Pittsburgh in 2019, but both teams have undergone plenty of change since then, so to learn more about this week's opponent, we reached out Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Steelers beat writer with five questions about the Steelers:
Q: The Steelers broke a three-game losing streak with a solid win over Denver last week, and beat one of the NFL's best teams in Week 1. What do you make of this team that lost three straight in between a couple of good wins?
Batko: The Broncos victory was much-needed—maybe as close to a must-win as you can get in Week 5—but it was clear early on that Denver was the worst opponent the Steelers had faced so far this season. They certainly don't have the offensive firepower of Buffalo, Las Vegas, Cincinnati or Green Bay. So, the Steelers defense stepped up, for the most part, and facing Teddy Bridgewater was probably a pleasant reprieve from those first four quarterbacks. What was more impressive was the offense being able to get up off the mat against a unit that, statistically, was among the league's best. If nothing else, Ben Roethlisberger and Co. showed they can still get into a groove, producing 20 points as an offense for the first time in 2021.

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Q: Rookie running back Najee Harris has 100-yard rushing and receiving games this year, what has he meant to Pittsburgh's offense?
Batko: Najee Harris has been a beacon of hope in dark times for the Steelers. Many fans and media members were skeptical of using a first-round pick on a running back in this day and age, but Harris is showing why he was worth that investment, especially for a franchise that had gotten subpar production out of the backfield two years in a row. He's elusive, dangerous in the passing game and runs as hard as any Steelers rusher in recent memory. There aren't many running backs you can build an offense around with the way the game has evolved, but Harris looks to be one of them, and he rarely leaves the field.
Q: The Steelers have long been associated with defense, for a Seahawks fan who hasn't been playing close attention, what type of challenges does this version of Pittsburgh's defense present, beyond the obvious of All-Pro players like T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward and Minkah Fitzpatrick?
Batko: A pass-rush that has led the league in sacks four years in a row isn't generating pressure at that clip this season—not yet, at least. Part of that is due to losing unheralded outside linebacker Bud Dupree, but the Steelers also aren't blitzing as much as they have in years past, perhaps because they can't risk opposing quarterbacks dicing up their secondary if they don't get home in time. Still, expect them to dial up some different looks for Geno Smith, who will need to watch for inside linebacker Devin Bush coming through the B gap—he has a sack in two straight games—as well as the occasional slot corner blitz. Mike Hilton was especially adept at that, but he's now in Cincinnati, so they're trying to find another nickel defender who can bring those same instincts.
Q: What does the loss of receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster to a shoulder injury mean for the Steelers offense?
Batko: The loss of JuJu Smith-Schuster is certainly another blow to an offense trying to find itself with a new coordinator, but production-wise, there's not much to replace. He hadn't been used as much or as efficiently as fellow wideouts Chase Claypool and Diontae Johnson, though he was playing just about all of his snaps in the slot, so as much as the Steelers are trying to find a third receiver to step up, they also need that No. 3. to be an inside guy. Smith-Schuster was initially a big-play threat when he came into the league, but in recent years, he's found himself as a reliable possession receiver who took as much delight in plowing over defenders as he did running past them. Replacing that physicality in the room probably isn't possible, but Harris and Claypool can be short-yardage assets through the air, as well.
Q: What are a couple of the matchups you're most looking forward to seeing on Sunday?
Batko: DK Metcalf vs. the Steelers secondary is the most intriguing matchup to me. Henry Ruggs, Ja'Marr Chase and Courtland Sutton all have beaten the Steelers deep for touchdowns over the last four weeks, and Metcalf is another similar size/speed freak for them to deal with. But if they provide too much help over the top of Metcalf, then Geno Smith can get in a rhythm with the underneath stuff to Tyler Lockett. On the other side of the ball, Jamal Adams has to be accounted for, and Ben Roethlisberger is basically a sitting duck in the pocket at this point in his career. The Steelers did a great job neutralizing Von Miller last week, but Adams is a whole other kind of problem flying in from the secondary.
The Seahawks and the Steelers will meet on Saturday in Pittsburgh at Acrisure Stadium for their first preseason game of the 2022 season.. Take a look back at photos from the past games between the two teams.


Franco Harris of the Pittsburgh Steelers kept Seattle's Sammy Green at arm's length Sunday, Dec. 5, 1977 in second half action. (AP Photo)

Steelers Frank Lewis (43) is caught by Seattle cornerback Eddie McMillan, right, in the second half of the game. Pa. Steelers won, 30-20. (AP Photo)

Steve Largent of the Seattle Seahawks runs with the ball during game action against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Nov. 8, 1981. (AP Photo)

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Franco Harris (32) is tackled for no gain by Seattle Seahawk conerback Keith Simpson (42) in the first quarter of their National Football League game in the Seattle Kingdome, Nov. 28, 1982. (AP Photo/Gary Stewart)

Franco Harris (32) of the Pittsburgh Steelers slides into the end zone for six points after being hit by Kenny Easley (45) and Kerry Justin of the Seattle Seahawks in the first quarter of their game in Seattle, Wash., Oct. 23, 1983. (AP Photo/Barry Sweet)


Seattle Seahawks linebacker Brian Bosworth (55) in action during a 13 - 9 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 6, 1987 at The Kingdome in Seattle, Washington. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)


FILE - In this Dec. 26, 1993, file photo, Seattle Seahawks quarterback, Rick Mirer (3) is sacked for a seven-yard-loss by Pittsburgh Steelers' Kevin Henry (76) during the second quarter of an NFL game in Seattle. Mirer and New England Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe were drafted back-to-back as No. 1 and 2. (AP Photos/Gary Stewart, File)

Seattle Seahawks punt returner Charlie Rogers (31) evades Pittsburgh Steelers' John Fiala as he runs the Josh Miller punt back for a touchdown in the first quarter in Pittsburgh on Sunday, Sept. 26, 1999. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Seattle Seahawks' Koren Robinson (81) flips while being tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers' Brent Alexander on a second-quarter pass play Sunday, Nov. 2, 2003, in Seattle. Robinson had 51 yards receiving in the Seahawks' 23-16 victory. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander (37) tries to break away from Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu during the first quarter of the Super Bowl XL football game, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2006, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) is pursued by Seattle Seahawks defensive end Bryce Fisher (94) in the second quarter during the Super Bowl XL football game Sunday, Feb. 5, 2006, in Detroit. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Holmgren, left and Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Bill Cowher greet each other before the Super Bowl XL football game, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2006, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Marcus Trufant, right, breaks up a pass to Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Cedric Wilson in the first quarter of the football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007. The Steelers won 21-0. (AP Photo/Joe Sargent)

Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch evades a tackle from Steelers linebacker James Harrison and takes off down the field during a game on September 18, 2011. The Steelers defeated the Seahawks 24-0

Seattle Seahawks defensive back Richard Sherman (25) waits for the snap during an NFL game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Nov. 29, 2015, in Seattle, Wash. The Seahawks won the game, 39-30. (Greg Trott via AP)

Seattle Seahawks running back Thomas Rawls (34) in action during an NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Seattle Seahawks Sunday, November 29, 2015, in Seattle, WA. (Tom Hauck via AP)

Seattle Seahawks tight end Will Dissly (88) makes a touchdown catch past Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) and other defenders in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Don Wright)

Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) deflects a pass by Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) as he is blocked by offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva (78) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Seahawks defensive tackle Poona Ford makes a tackle early in the game.
