Unlike years past, the Pittsburgh Steelers haven't been a one-man wrecking crew in 2024. This team used to rely on Ben Roethlisberger's arm to carry the team with a wavering defense. More recently, the Steelers have lived and died by the health and success of T.J. Watt.
These days, Mike Tomlin's team is a well-balanced roster that suddenly includes several budding stars. One of whom is edge rusher, Nick Herbig. After a promising rookie campaign in 2023, last year's fourth-round pick has shown flashes of greatness in his second season.
On the second play of the game against the Baltimore Ravens, Herbig tracked down All-Pro running back Derrick Henry and dislodged the football -- resulting in a takeaway for the Steelers. Despite appearing in just six games this season (mostly as a part-time edge rusher), Herbig has two-and-a-half sacks, three tackles for a loss, and two forced fumbles.
Today is Herbig's 23rd birthday... and he's about to get the ultimate 'happy birthday' treat against the Browns on Thursday Night Football.
HBD @nickherbig_ ‼️ pic.twitter.com/RFc0MIWxn1
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) November 21, 2024
The Steelers haven't won in Cleveland since 2017 and Coach Tomlin is 0-3 against the Browns on Thursday Night Football. However, an extremely favorable matchup for one of Pittsburgh's flashiest defensive playmakers is about to swing the odds in the Steelers' favor.
Nick Herbig gets perfect matchup vs. Browns on TNF
In Nick Herbig's first two games against the Cleveland Browns, the talented pass rusher has been held sackless. In these contests, Herbig combined for five tackles while failing to impact the box score numbers in any other metric.
But that's about to change.
The Browns have been dealing with injuries to their offensive line. In addition to right tackle Dawand Jones landing on IR, starting left tackle and 2020 first-round pick Jedrick Wills has been ruled out for this contest with a knee injury.
The injuries forced Cleveland to sign tackle Geron Christian on Tuesday, though Christian won't be the player making the start, according to Browns coach Kevin Stefanski.
The most likely option to man the left tackle position for Cleveland is Germain Ifedi -- a ten-year NFL veteran who played right tackle and right guard for most of his career. Though Ifedi has 83 career starts, he hasn't started a game since making seven starts with the Bears during the 2021 season. Moreso, Ifedi has logged a mere 64 offensive snaps over the past three years.
At 6'2'' and 240 pounds, Herbig has the quickness and bend to dip around the 6'5'', 338-pound Ifedi (who's a right tackle by trade). This is a match made in heaven for Herbig.
One factor that could throw a monkeywrench in this game is the weather. If the field conditions at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland are poor because of the expected rain on Thursday Night Football, Herbig could have trouble bending the edge and getting to the quarterback.
Still, the budding Steelers star and fan-favorite couldn't ask for a better gift from the Browns on his 23rd birthday than a favorable matchup against a backup offensive lineman who hasn't played meaningful snaps in three years.