Oct 28, 2014 4 min read

PITTSBURGH – If consistency is one of the deciding factors by which great players are measured, Antonio Brown has to be considered one of the best players in the NFL not only at his position, but at any position.

Despite drawing double teams and other extra attention from opposing defenses throughout the past two seasons, the Steelers wide receiver has caught at least five passes and gained at least 50 yards receiving in every game he’s played during that time, a streak of 24 games that is the longest in NFL history.

This season, Brown has taken consistency to a higher level, recording at least five receptions and 84 yards receiving in every game. He’s also scored seven touchdowns, putting him one behind his career high of eight set last season.

Brown will try to extend those streaks Sunday, when the Steelers (5-3) host Baltimore (5-3) in a critical AFC North game.

How important is this game? With Cleveland (4-3) hosting Tampa Bay (1-6) in an early Sunday game, the loser of the Steelers-Ravens game could be alone in last place in the division.

If the Steelers are to avoid that, they’ll need another big effort from Brown, who has 60 receptions for 852 yards this season.

“He’s one of the best in the world at what he does,” said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. “We say similar things about guys like (Houston defensive end) J.J. Watt. We knew what he was capable of when we were getting ready to play the Houston Texans, but it still doesn’t stop the storm from coming. Antonio is playing at that type of level from a wide receiver standpoint, a J.J. Watt-discussion kind of level.”

Though the Steelers lost, 26-6, in Week 2 at Baltimore, Brown still had a solid game, catching seven passes for 90 yards and carrying the ball twice for another 10 yards.

The Ravens had Jimmy Smith, their top corner, follow Brown all over the field in that game. But Smith will not play this week after suffering a sprained foot in Baltimore’s 27-24 loss at Cincinnati.

That leaves Lardarius Webb, Chykie Brown and Dominque Franks to cover a Pittsburgh passing attack that rang up a team-record 522 yards and six touchdowns in a 51-34 win over Indianapolis. Webb did not play in the first meeting with the Steelers, sitting out with a back injury.

Baltimore did a good job of defending Brown last year, limiting him to six receptions for 50 yards in a 19-16 win by the Steelers at Heinz Field and five receptions for 59 yards in a 22-20 win by the Ravens in Baltimore.

But no one has had much luck slowing Brown this season, despite a changing cast of defenders.

“Last year was his first at it without significant working partners, such as Mike Wallace, etc.,” said Tomlin. “I just think that as we continue to move forward he gets more comfortable with how people play him and what’s expected of him and how he can overcome some of those things and continue to be productive for us.”

The Steelers have had some new faces emerge in their passing game since the first meeting. Justin Brown, who served as the No. 3 receiver in the first game and lost a critical fumble on Pittsburgh’s opening possession, has been inactive the past two games.

That opened the door for Lance Moore and rookie Martavis Bryant to see more action. Those two have combined for 10 receptions for 168 yards and four touchdowns in the past two games.

But much of that is possible because of the attention that Brown draws from opposing defenses.

“Antonio does a good job of managing that,” said Tomlin of the double teams. “(He does a good job) of managing his emotions and understanding that often the things that people are doing to minimize his impact on the game creates opportunity for others, such as Martavis Bryant.

“He’s just doing a nice job of wearing it. It’s what comes with being him right now.”

Tomlin singled out the play of Mike Adams at right tackle against the Colts but said Marcus Gilbert, who has cleared concussion protocol after missing the game against Indianapolis, will return to the starting lineup this week. … Nose tackle Steve McLendon (shoulder) and safety Shamarko Thomas (hamstring) also are expected to return for the Steelers, while safety Ross Ventrone (hamstring) is likely out. … Tomlin said cornerback Cortez Allen, who was replaced by Antwon Blake in the third quarter against the Colts, will compete with Blake this week for the nickel corner spot.