Thursday, JuJu Smith-Schuster was voted the Steelers MVP by his teammates. Through 15 games, the second-year receiver has hauled in 106 receptions for 1,389 yards, both metrics putting him in the top-five in the NFL.
There's another player opposite Smith-Schuster, however, who many consider the best receiver not just on the Steelers' roster, but in the entire NFL. Antonio Brown is a seven-time Pro Bowler and a four-time first-team All-Pro receiver who is second in Steelers' history behind only Hines Ward in almost every major receiving metric.
Brown leads the NFL with 15 receiving touchdowns this year, and he's tied for seventh with 104 receptions. His 1,297 yards rank ninth, making the combination of him and Smith-Schuster the best in the NFL from a statistical perspective.
None of Brown's impact is lost on Smith-Schuster. He understands the respect Brown commands from opposing defenses, and he fully acknowledges No. 84 opens up the field and allows him to succeed.
"He means a lot, man," Smith-Schuster told media Thursday at the Rooney Complex. "Honestly, without him, I probably wouldn't be where I'm at today just because he's seeing a lot of the double teams, a lot of the best corners are always on AB and I'm able to make certain plays... It opens up the door a lot, but I think that he's helped me to where I'm at today."
JuJu discusses the impact Antonio Brown has had on his game and his development as a player. #DKPS #Steelers pic.twitter.com/rTGw4K1Pt7
— Hunter Alek Homistek (@HunterAHomistek) December 27, 2018
As a rookie, Smith-Schuster caught 58 passes for 917 yards and seven touchdowns, exceeding most fans' expectations. He's made a significant leap in year two, though, something he says is no accident.
The Steelers (8-6-1) will need both Smith-Schuster and Brown Sunday, as the team faces the Bengals (6-9) in a must-win game if they hope to make the playoffs. Brown, however, missed practice for the second straight day with what is described as a knee issue. In addition to the victory, the Steelers need the Browns (7-7-1) to defeat the Ravens (9-6) in Baltimore to see postseason action, though they could also get in with an unlikely tie between Indianapolis and Tennessee on Sunday night.