Earlier this year, when the Steelers were getting ready to travel down to Houston to face the Texans, I warned that game could be a trap game. Of course, that was Week 4. Lots has changed since then.

We now have a better understanding of how good CJ Stroud is in his rookie year, and how he has unlocked the potential of an offense that not many people had any real hopes in to start the season.

In hindsight, that 30-6 loss, while embarrassing, was not a trap game loss. Houston is a good team.

This Sunday, however, is 100% a trap game in Pittsburgh. The Arizona Cardinals, who come into town 2-10 on the year, are among the league’s worst teams this season.

The Steelers, meanwhile, at 7-4, are hoping to keep the good times rolling after achieving their first 400+ yard day on offense since the 2020 season. That accomplishment came in their first game after firing offensive coordinator Matt Canada, whose offensive instincts look worse and worse by the day in hindsight.

Kenny Pickett and his revamped offense leaped over the first hurdle to NFL relevancy in their 16-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals last week. They showed they can move the ball up and down the field, and utilize tight ends and the middle of the field to achieve that.

Now, however, comes the harder task: putting more points on the board. Had Cincinnati had a healthy Joe Burrow to play vs the Steelers, a shallow 16 points would not have been enough for the win.

We can talk about the Diontae Johnson thing, or the Jaylen Warren red zone fumble, and say that the offense deserved more points than what they got. But you can only make that claim once you show you actually can get a higher point total.

The Steelers have scored more than 20 points in just four games this year, and in half of those games, their points were heavily influenced by turnovers and great field position handed to them by the Pittsburgh defense.

Speaking of defenses, however, if there is a chance for the Steelers to get some additional points in a game, it should come against the Cardinals. Arizona’s defense is 31st in the NFL in terms of points, on average giving up 26.8 a game.

Arizona’s yardage defense ranks 26th in the NFL, allowing 358.5 yards per game.

The Cardinals are decent against the pass (15th in the league), but are abysmal against the run, ranking 30th in the league and allowing, on average, 140.1 yards per game on the ground.

That’s a great sign for both Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. Harris, coming off a 99 yard performance in Cincinnati, is absolutely feeling it right now. The Najee we saw last week is the kind we need to see every week. And as for Warren, he will be looking for a bounce back game after having a rough go in Cincy.

I would expect big games from both backs against the Cardinals.

For Pittsburgh’s defense, the point of emphasis should also be the run. Arizona is a top 10 team in the NFL in rushing attack, averaging 121.8 yards per game on the ground. Their running back room includes former Steeler James Conner, who will be making his first return to Pittsburgh since signing with the Cardinals.

Conner himself is averaging 5.1 yards per attempt and 65.8 yards per game. Plus, he will be looking to make a good showing in his old home stadium.

Arizona’s passing game has been lacking this season, but things are changing now that Kyler Murray is back in the fold. The first overall pick from the 2019 NFL Draft will be making his fourth start this season, after missing the first half recovering from injury.

Murray this season is 1-2 with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. He has a QBR of 47.5 this year, which to this point is the lowest of his NFL career.

When he gets rolling, however, Murray can be a very dangerous quarterback.

The 2-10 record gives the impression that this should be a slam dunk win for the Steelers, but let’s all just remember: Pittsburgh can lose to anybody.

For just as many improbable wins the Steelers seem to pull off every year, there are also plenty of dropped games that they should have won. Maybe what I said about Houston in Week 4 was premature. But now here in Week 13, I feel confident saying this is a huge trap game for Pittsburgh.

There is a massive difference between 8-4 and 7-5. The Steelers have to come away with a win here.

(Featured photo of James Conner by Mark J. Rebilas/USA Today Sports)