Patrick Queen's Revenge Game vs. Ravens Will Be a 'Motivation' for Steelers, Mike Tomlin Says

One of the biggest NFL games so far this season will kick off on Sunday morning when the Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Baltimore Ravens. Both teams come in with seven wins on the season, so the result of this one will have huge implications in the AFC North and the AFC Wild Card races.

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens are set to face off in a crucial AFC North matchup on Sunday, and former Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen will be looking to get revenge on his old team.

Queen, who signed with the Steelers in free agency after four seasons in Baltimore, has played well for Pittsburgh this year, recording 62 tackles in nine games. Ahead of his first game against the Ravens, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin revealed a plan to get him fired up for the occasion.

"I'm going to send him out for the coin toss, if that gives you any indication," Tomlin said, via ESPN's Brooke Pryor. "Motivation is good. We're human, and everyone wants to feel wanted. And so I'd imagine it's not only a motivation this week, but it's probably been a motivation for him every week."

The Ravens opted not to re-sign Queen last offseason, despite his role as a key piece on the NFL's best defense in 2021. Baltimore's defense has taken a step back this season, and the lack of stability at the second linebacker spot has been part of the reason why.

Meanwhile, the Steelers have turned into a legitimate playoff threat thanks in large part to Russell Wilson.

Despite a strong start to the season in the win column, Mike Tomlin still made the controversial decision to bench Justin Fields in favor of Russell Wilson after the veteran quarterback returned from his calf injury.

Many questioned the decision because of how Wilson had looked during his time with the Denver Broncos. However, the former Seattle Seahawks legend has added a vertical element to the Steelers' passing game that Fields just didn't have.

Wilson still isn't the type of downfield passer who is going to challenge a defense in all areas of the field. He still struggles to attack over the middle, especially in some of those intermediate zones, but he throws a great deep ball and is willing to let it fly. With George Pickens and Mike Williams, two great contested catch receivers, on the outside, the Steelers are generating explosive plays in the passing game in a way they weren't before.

Wilson is also protecting the ball and not making reckless decisions despite constantly pushing the ball, as he has thrown just one interception in 85 attempts this season. This Steelers team is always going to be defined by its defense and the running game has to improve as the season goes on if they want to be a true contender. However, Wilson raises the team's ceiling in a way that they haven't had in at least a few years.