Steelers must avoid trap 'revenge game' in Week 13

The Steelers (7-4) are the early favorites in their Week 13 matchup against the Cardinals (2-10). Head coach Mike Tomlin believes there is one player that could play a large role in upsetting Pittsburgh on Sunday.

"We can't allow James Conner to do what James does," Tomlin told reporters. "Know and love and got a lot of respect for James. He is a legitimate tough guy, a big-time competitor. Expecting nothing but his absolute best coming back into Pittsburgh because I know him."

Conner was drafted by the Steelers in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft and played at the University of Pittsburgh during his collegiate career. He is certainly looking to get his revenge this week as it is his first time facing his former team.

The seventh-year running back has 526 rushing yards and two touchdowns this season but missed four games with a knee injury he suffered in Week 5, which proves he's still deserving of the three-year, $21M contract Arizona gave him in 2022.

Following Conner's first four seasons (2017-20) where he totaled 2,302 rushing yards, he likely wanted to continue his pro career in the city where it all started. But the Steelers had other plans, drafting RB Najee Harris with their first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Conner will surely do his best to outplay Harris on Sunday and prove Pittsburgh wrong for giving up on him. The only thing Tomlin is focused on is keeping him out of the end zone.

"Aside from his will and intangible things, man, his skillset," Tomlin added. "When he gets into the secondary, he's tough to deal with. He's a combative runner. He has a nose for the line to gain and the goal line -- he has for his entire career. He's always been a touchdown scorer."

The Steelers must avoid this trap game as a win is not only expected but necessary in a week where the Ravens (9-3) are on their bye. It would shorten Pittsburgh's gap in the AFC North with Baltimore, whom it defeated in Week 5.