The Pittsburgh Steelers Thursday night win over the Indianapolis Colts featured several big hits and safety Mike Mitchell was on the giving end of several of them. Mitchell, who is never at a loss for words, talked about the team’s Thursday night win immediately after the game and even had a message for Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith Sr.
“We know the work’s not done,” Mitchell said. “We’re in a race right now with Baltimore and we get to see them again and were looking forward to it. Steve [Smith], I’m coming.”
The Steelers won’t play the Ravens again until Christmas and this time they’ll be looking to even the yearly series at one a piece at Heinz Field. The last time the two teams met in Week 9, the Ravens won 21-14 and Smith contributed four catches in that contest for 47 yards. He also got the best of Mitchell on his 30-yard reception in that game thanks to a nice stiff-arm.
Despite being teammates a few years ago, when the two were with the Carolina Panthers, Mitchell and Smith certainly don’t seem to like each other. At the very least, I doubt they’ll be sending each other Christmas cards ahead the Week 16 game.
Last year, Smith went as far as to say that Mitchell was being added to his permanent hit-list.
Mitchell not only registered a few jarring hits Thursday night in the win over the Colts, he also recorded his first interception of the season. He finished the game with 7 total tackles.
“That’s just the way I play,” Mitchell said Thursday night when asked if his hits changed the game. “It was good for us and it was big for us.”
And what about his fourth quarter interception?
“Always trying to hunt the football,” said Mitchell. Everyone knows that I’m a hitter, but when I can get a play on the ball, I will.”
Christmas can’t get here soon enough for Mitchell and I bet Smith feels the same way.
Smith and the Ravens will look to keep their lead in the AFC North division on Sunday by beating the Cincinnati Bengals at home.
