Steelers vs. Seahawks: Full Pittsburgh Game Preview

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a productive bye week, allowing them to get as healthy as possible. But things won't get easy from here on out, as the Steelers get back to action with a trip across the country to the rainy Northwest for a showdown with the Seattle Seahawks.

Before the start of the year, this game looked like a certain loss on the schedule as the Seahawks were coming off of their second straight appearance in the Super Bowl and really hadn't lost a ton of talent from the previous year, while adding the explosive, nearly uncoverable Jimmy Graham.

However, things haven't worked out in favor of the Seahawks in 2015 as they now look very beatable each and every week, regardless of the opponent.

Ben Roethlisberger appears to be as close to full health as possible this year. When Roethlisberger is at or near full health, the Steelers are tough to beat.

CenturyLink Field is still a tough venue to play in due to the noise levels, but the Seahawks are a shell of themselves, while the Steelers seem to have gotten back on track thanks to a big win over the Browns before the bye week. 

Not only is this a very winnable game for Pittsburgh, but it's a game packed with star power.

Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant vs. the Legion of Boom. Ben Roethlisberger and Russell Wilson. Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril. Cam Heyward and Stephon Tuitt.

The two records might not be pretty, but there is still tons of star power and a game that promises to be highly entertaining.

Location:  CenturyLink Field, Seattle, WA

Time:  4:25 p.m. ET

TV:  CBS

Steelers Week 11 Recap

Associated Press

After 10 straight weeks of dealing with injuries and up-and-down play, the Steelers (6-4) were finally able to take a step back, heal up and get ready for a pivotal road trip to the Northwest against the defending NFC champion, the Seattle Seahawks.

While the Steelers had the week off, along with AFC North foe Cleveland Browns (2-8), the Cincinnati Bengals (8-2) dropped their second straight game of the year, losing a thrilling Sunday Night showdown with the Arizona Cardinals on the road, 34-31.

The Baltimore Ravens (3-7) picked up their third win of the year on a late field goal by Justin Tucker to beat the St. Louis Rams 16-13, but in the process of picking up the win the Ravens lost Joe Flacco (torn ACL and MCL) and Justin Forsett (broken arm) to season-ending injuries.

Latest Pittsburgh News and Notes

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Timmons looking for contract extension:

With just one year left on his contract following the conclusion of the 2015 season, Steelers linebacker Lawrence Timmons is looking for a contract extension, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Mark Kaboly.

Timmons will turn 30 years old next season, which is right around when the Steelers generally talk extensions with key players, which Timmons clearly is.

Next season Timmons will count $15.1 million against the cap, the second-highest cap hit on the Steelers behind Ben Roethlisberger.

Timmons is the quarterback of the Steelers defense, which has improved substantially this season despite glaring holes in the secondary. The Florida State product wants to finish his career in Pittsburgh, according to Kaboly.

Should Timmons wear nothing but the Black and Gold, he could go down as one of the best inside linebackers in franchise history.

Butler returns to Seattle:

From 1978-87, Steelers defensive coordinator Keith Butler was a Seahawks linebacker. For just the second time in 30 years, Butler will make his return to Seattle, this time as a member of the Steelers.

In his 10 seasons as a member of the Seahawks, Butler recorded 813 tackles, which is second on the all-time list for Seattle. In fact, Butler also started the last time Pittsburgh beat Seattle on the road.

Butler told Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review he's very excited return to Seattle.

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"It's going to be special. I spent 10 years of my life there and it is a great town, rabid fans and they love football there. It is going to be a good chance to get back and see the city again."

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Latest Pittsburgh Injury News

Associated Press

The bye week really helped the Steelers get healthy. Outside of linebacker Ryan Shazier (knee) and little-used cornerback Brandon Boykin (ankle), the Steelers had just four other players make an appearance on the injury report for Thursday's practice.

Tight end Matt Spaeth (knee) was listed as a limited participant for the Steelers on Thursday, while linebackers Terence Garvin (knee), James Harrison (knee) and safety Shamarko Thomas (knee) were listed as full participants.

Outside of the concern for Shazier and whether he's able to go Sunday, the return of Harrison to the lineup will be a big boost to the Steelers pass rush, which has gotten to the quarterback quite often in 2015.

For Seattle, linebacker Bruce Irvin (knee), wide receiver Paul Richardson (hamstring) and defensive end Michael Bennett (not injury related) sat out of Thursday's practice.

Irvin's knee injury could be a huge break for the Steelers as Irvin is a disruptive edge-rusher, despite not putting up huge numbers this year.

Key Matchups

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Antonio Bryant and Martavis Bryant vs. Legion of Boom:

Oh. My. Goodness.

Talk about a juicy matchup. Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant going against Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor. Can we get an iso cam on these matchups? Seriously.

Whomever comes out on top in this matchup will play a large role in determining the outcome of the game. Brown has toasted most of the corners he's played the last few years. Add in a healthy Roethlisberger, and Brown could have his way with the best cornerback in the league.

However, Bryant could put up the best numbers of any Steelers receiver this week because of the lack of depth the Seahawks have behind Sherman at corner.

Steelers offensive line vs. Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril:

Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril might be the most disruptive duo in the NFL. Through 11 weeks of the season, Bennett and Avril have combined for 13 sacks (6.5 each). Avril primarily comes off the edge against left tackles, while Bennett is versatile enough to move around the line and rush from anywhere on the field.

The biggest challenge for Pittsburgh is figuring out where Bennett will come from along the line and adjusting to his position. When Bennett slides inside, the burden of blocking him will fall on David Decastro, who is more than up to the task.

While Bennett can be handled on the right side of the line, the same can't be said confidently about Avril. Alejandro Villanueva is still learning how to play the position, which should play right into the hands of the crafty Avril.

Matchup X-Factor for Pittsburgh

Associated Press

Markus Wheaton

It's time to stop with the excuses and start making plays.

Wheaton previously said the lack of timing and chemistry with Ben Roethlisberger was a large factor in his struggles so far this season, but now that the Steelers have had a bye week to allow Wheaton and Roethlisberger to get back on the same page, there can't be any more excuses for Wheaton's poor play.

This week would serve as a great time to get back on track for Wheaton.

He won't face any corners that should scare teams, and he'll draw limited coverage while most of Seattle's attention will be focused on Brown, Bryant and Heath Miller.

Expect Roethlisberger to try and get Wheaton going early to take some attention away from Brown and Bryant.

Prediction: Steelers 24, Seahawks 20

Associated Press

For the first time since 1983, the Pittsburgh Steelers will emerge victorious on the road in Seattle.

The Seahawks are nowhere near the team they were the last two years, including a defense that has had a tough time closing out games and a porous offensive line that is easily the worst in the NFL.

Pittsburgh comes into this game near full health with its star quarterback directing an explosive offense that looks to go on a roll to close the year in a wide-open AFC at this point, minus New England.

Roethlisberger, Brown and Bryant pick up right where they left off before the bye week, while the Steelers front seven harasses Russell Wilson all game long thanks to a horrendous offensive line.

Steelers 24, Seahawks 20