Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry Lead Ravens to Playoff Victory Over Steelers

BALTIMORE — Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry were a force to be reckoned with on Saturday night, leading the Baltimore Ravens to a dominant 28-14 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in their AFC playoff opener. With a balanced offensive attack and relentless ground game, the Ravens showed exactly why they are one of the most dangerous teams in the postseason.

A Perfect Combination: Jackson and Henry

One of the most devastating plays of the game came early in the first half. Lamar Jackson, ever the dual-threat quarterback, handed off to Derrick Henry and slid out to the left as if he still had the ball. A couple of Pittsburgh linebackers shifted toward Jackson, leaving a wide open lane for Henry to burst through for a 44-yard touchdown. This play exemplified the kind of dilemma Jackson and Henry create for opposing defenses. The threat of Jackson’s legs combined with Henry’s brute force makes defending Baltimore a near-impossible task.

By the time the final whistle blew, Henry had rushed for 186 yards and scored twice, while Jackson contributed 175 yards through the air and added a touchdown on the ground. The Ravens out-rushed the Steelers 299 to 29, setting a playoff record for the most rushing yards allowed by Pittsburgh, surpassing the previous mark of 232 yards set by the Oakland Raiders in 1974.

“My dad’s proud. Jack Harbaugh’s proud right now. He likes to pound the rock,” Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said after the game. “Derrick Henry was running hard, physical. Lamar started it off. Lamar carried the ball at different times in the first drive or two.”

The First Half: A Statement of Dominance

From the opening whistle, it was clear the Ravens came out to make a statement. Baltimore methodically marched down the field on their first possession, going 95 yards in 13 plays, culminating in a 15-yard touchdown pass from Jackson to Rashod Bateman. The Ravens’ offense looked sharp, moving with purpose and precision as they took a 21-0 lead into halftime.

In the first half alone, the Ravens ran for 172 yards, while the Steelers were held to just 29 yards rushing. The Ravens dominated the time of possession, controlling the ball for over 20 minutes in the first two quarters. A 13-play, 8-minute drive led to another touchdown as Henry capped it with an 8-yard run to make it 14-0.

On the very next possession, the Ravens worked quickly to score again. After the Steelers punted, Baltimore moved 95 yards in just 5 plays, including a key third-down conversion and a brilliant 11-second scramble from Jackson to find Justice Hill for a 5-yard touchdown just before halftime.

"I just think in his head, he knows what 11 seconds is," Harbaugh said. "The clock was going a little faster for me in my mind. I’m like, ‘Throw that thing away.’ He threw it, it was a touchdown. All I can say is ‘wow’ — I think I said ‘wow’ about seven times right there."

Pittsburgh’s Response: Too Little, Too Late

The Steelers, despite their best efforts, were unable to contain Baltimore's offensive juggernaut. Quarterback Russell Wilson did manage to lead the Steelers on a 98-yard touchdown drive to open the second half, capped by a 30-yard scoring pass to Van Jefferson. But any momentum Pittsburgh gained was quickly squashed when Henry broke free for his 44-yard touchdown run, putting Baltimore back in control.

Later in the third quarter, Wilson responded with another touchdown pass, this time to George Pickens, but that would be the last score for the Steelers. Despite Wilson’s 270 yards passing on 20-of-29 attempts, Pittsburgh’s defense simply could not slow down the Ravens’ dynamic attack.

“They were the better group today. That was obvious,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin admitted. “The X factor was Lamar’s unique talents. It seems like every time we got him behind the sticks, he made up for it.”

A Masterclass in Rushing

The Ravens' 299 rushing yards were a testament to their physicality and precision. The combination of Jackson’s agility and Henry’s power has been a nightmare for defenses all season, and the Steelers could not find an answer. Henry’s 186-yard performance marked the second-highest rushing total of his postseason career, just behind his 195-yard effort at the same stadium five years ago in a playoff win over the Ravens.

“I can just hand the ball off — 10 yards, 20 yards, 30 yards, and I’m just chilling,” Jackson said of his relationship with Henry in the backfield. “When they’re attacking him and I go, I’m fresh. Just making my job a lot easier. We just piggy-back off of each other.”

Steelers’ Struggles and the Road Ahead

The Steelers' season ends with a whimper after a five-game losing streak, two of which came at the hands of Baltimore. Pittsburgh’s inability to stop the Ravens’ rushing attack highlighted the gap between the Steelers and true AFC contenders. After a promising regular season, Pittsburgh's postseason hopes were dashed by a team that executed its game plan flawlessly.

“We’ve had some seasons where we’ve been right there, and we’ve been in these kinds of games before,” Tomlin said. “But this was a different level tonight. The Ravens were the better team.”

For Baltimore, the win sets up a potential second-round clash against either Buffalo or Houston, depending on the outcome of Sunday’s games. The Ravens’ ability to pound the rock, control the clock, and limit turnovers bodes well for their postseason prospects as they continue their quest for a deep playoff run.

Looking Ahead

With the victory, the Ravens advance to the second round of the AFC playoffs. They’ll need a little help to secure a home game next week, relying on a Denver victory over Buffalo. If that happens, Baltimore would host Houston, but if Buffalo wins, the Ravens will travel to face the Bills in a thrilling matchup between Jackson and fellow MVP candidate Josh Allen.

As for the Steelers, it’s back to the drawing board after another early postseason exit. Despite a valiant effort from Wilson and a strong defensive showing in the regular season, Pittsburgh’s lack of offensive balance ultimately proved to be their undoing.

In the end, it was Jackson, Henry, and the Ravens who reigned supreme, sending a clear message to the rest of the AFC that they are a team to watch as the playoffs unfold.

Cameron Williams

DiSportsPhotoAgency

Senior Writer