The Pittsburgh Steelers (2-0) host the Los Angeles Chargers (2-0) in one of many extra anticipated Week 3 matchups, however for linebacker Patrick Queen, it is greater than only a battle of undefeated groups.
Earlier than becoming a member of the Steelers this offseason, Queen spent the primary 4 years of his NFL profession with the Baltimore Ravens.
This week, he will get to come back nose to nose with a few of his former teammates, however there is not any one he’s extra excited to deliver down than working again J.Okay. Dobbins, who’s presently the NFL’s speeding chief.
“I like J.Okay. Nonetheless certainly one of my greatest associates, nonetheless speak to him to this present day. He is only a nice man, an awesome participant,” Queen said. “I am completely satisfied to see him getting again to himself, however so far as me, I need to shut that down. He is the main rusher proper now, so simply having the ability to go on the market and shut him down would give me bragging rights and assist this group win.”
Dobbins has performed in simply 9 video games over the previous three seasons resulting from accidents.
He tore his ACL forward of the 2021 season, which pressured him to overlook your complete 12 months. In 2022, Dobbins performed in solely eight video games resulting from a separate knee concern, after which final season he tore his Achilles in Week 1.
Nonetheless, Queen has by no means doubted Dobbin’s expertise.
“He is received all the things. He is received imaginative and prescient. He is received the velocity. He is received the burst. He is simply throughout a very good again,” Queen added. “He can do each single factor on the sector, and I believe folks might need underestimated him this 12 months, realizing that he had the accidents.”
Dobbins has confirmed simply that whereas speeding for a league-leading 266 yards by the primary two weeks of the season.
Whereas Dobbins has been making the most of his second probability within the NFL, Queen notes that he’s a benefactor of offensive coordinator Greg Roman’s system.
“I confronted it for 3 years in apply,” Queen continued. “It is smash-mouth soccer, January-type soccer. He will see if he can take a look at you, take a look at your will. That is what we received to go on the market and attempt to cease.”
Stopping the Chargers’ run recreation is the Steelers’ No. 1 precedence, however that does not imply there will not be challenges within the move recreation, both.
Quarterback Justin Herbert has been among the finest quarterbacks within the NFL since being drafted in 2020 when he was named the Offensive Rookie of the Yr.
Queen is aware of Herbert brings challenges of his personal.
“He could make each single throw on the sector. He’ll take probabilities and get the ball into locations that almost all quarterbacks cannot,” Queen concluded. “He is one of many high 5 quarterbacks on this league.”
It is secure to say Pittsburgh’s protection can have its arms full on Sunday, however with the prospect to get bragging rights and keep undefeated, followers may see the most effective model of Queen in Week 3.