3 impressive Steelers performances against Baltimore

Steelers WR Ray-Ray McCloud

Ray-Ray McCloud has to be one of the most random stories of the 2021-2022 season for the Steelers. McCloud was brought in during last year’s offseason to be a return man, and that he was, but he was also used in the passing game. Last season, Ray-Ray just saw 22 targets and hauled in 20 catches for 77 yards, this season he saw 57 targets and has hauled in 35 catches for 240 yards on the season.

Once again, Ray-Ray was a target for Big Ben in key moments, and some didn’t make sense, but McCloud did come up clutch. He made two game-saving catches, including making a 10-yard catch on Pittsburgh’s 4th & 8 play in overtime that led to a Chris Boswell field goal after a few Najee Harris runs.

McCloud has been targeted during questionable moments but he has ultimately stepped up and hung onto a few balls while in tight spaces or while getting hit hard, and he deserves a lot of credit for his role on this Steelers team.

Ray-Ray McCloud also had himself a nice day fielding kicks and punts. McCloud returned 3 kickoffs for a total of 66 yards. He also returned 2 punts for a total of 29 yards. His best return came at the best time and that’s when he returned a punt for 23 yards, which placed the Steelers offense at the 50 and led to the Chase Claypool touchdown.

Ray-Ray is a good player and I like that he is involved in more ways than one on this team and I think the Steelers should continue using him like this moving forward, but when he is in double coverage Ben has to stop throwing it to him.