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Steelers winners and losers in Week 17 loss to Ravens

By Jordan Newman

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 29: Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 29: Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 22: JuJu Smith-Schuster #19 and Diontae Johnson #18 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrate after Johnson’s touchdown during the first half of the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on December 22, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 22: JuJu Smith-Schuster #19 and Diontae Johnson #18 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrate after Johnson’s touchdown during the first half of the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on December 22, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

Winners:

Diontae Johnson

Most are familiar with a form of the quote that “Do it once, it’s a mistake. Twice is a pattern. Three times is a habit” Flipping this into a positive connotation, WR Diontae Johnson is a legit talent.

The season wasn’t too kind to start, but in its shadows, Johnson became that guy in the WR corps. Ending the month of December with 4 of his 5 games with 50+ receiving yards, and averaging 13.5 YPC on the night, Johnson is solidified for whatever time is going to grant him in this league.

Steven Nelson

The shoutout is long overdue, and CB Steven Nelson has been the most underrated defender for the defense. Brought in from the Kansas City Chiefs, the 5th-year corner fortified one of the better DB duos in the league with an impressive game & season. Interceptions typically hold the mantle in judging cornerbacks, but Nelson was able to do much more than the one INT he had.

Ending the evening with 4 combined tackles and a pass deflection against Baltimore, Nelson remained solid despite the loss. Only allowing a completion percentage of 51.5% off his 68 targets on the year, opposing quarterbacks also threw 47 fewer passes in his direction averaging just 6.7 yards per target. A viable pass-defender, Nelson also greatly improved in not missing tackles jumping from 16.0% in 2018 to 8.1% in 2019.

Currently, on a three-year bargain of a contract, Nelson exceeded expectations & should only grow from here on out.

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