JuJu Smith-Schuster predicts ‘great year’ for Steelers, personal atonement vs. Ravens

For the second time in a span of seven regular-season games, JuJu Smith-Schuster fumbled away a likely Pittsburgh Steelers victory last October.

The memories from that Oct. 6 loss to the Baltimore Ravens linger for Smith-Schuster. During a segment on NFL Network on Friday, the wide receiver said it fueled his feelings toward the Steelers-Ravens rivalry.

“That was one of the toughest things (to deal with),” Smith-Schuster said of being stripped by Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey near midfield with the scores tied 23-23. “To lose a game for your team is one of the hardest things, knowing you have the ball in your hand, and that feeling never leaves.

“So I am hungry. I am ready to play against (the Ravens) again.”

Does the @steelers vs. @Ravens rivalry still have the juice?@TeamJuJu is "hungry" to face BAL this season. pic.twitter.com/IPOwSIyACf

— GMFB (@gmfb) May 22, 2020

Smith-Schuster also fumbled late during a Week 16 loss at the New Orleans Saints in 2018, and it cost the Steelers a playoff berth. The 2019 fumble against the Ravens happened much earlier in the season, but it led to the Steelers falling into a 1-4 hole, and they fell short of the playoffs again.

The Ravens took over at the Steelers’ 34-yard line after the fumble and won on a Justin Tucker field goal four snaps later. They went on to earn the AFC’s top seed for the second consecutive year.

"Just wait... let our pads do the talking."@TeamJuJu thinks it's going to be a big year for the @steelers.? pic.twitter.com/89OWuZWqaP

— GMFB (@gmfb) May 22, 2020

The Steelers finished 8-8, but the final 14 ½ of those games were without franchise quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who had season-ending elbow surgery in September. Smith-Schuster predicted a revival for the Steelers offense this season.

“Honestly, man, I think it’s going to be a big year for us,” he said on “Good Morning Football” on Friday. “I was very happy with being able to draft a running back (Anthony McFarland) and being able to draft (second-round wide receiver Chase Claypool). We have a good defense. We already had a good defense. Our missing piece was Ben. I think coming up this year, it’s going to be a great year for us. Steelers fans, it’s going to be an unbelievable season of excitement. Just wait, honesty just wait, and let our pads do the talking.”

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