Ravens vs Steelers Part 3
The three-seed Baltimore Ravens and six-seed Pittsburgh Steelers are set to meet up for the 3rd time this season in a playoff thriller. It is one of, if not the best, rivalry in the NFL. These 2 AFC North teams have met in the playoffs 4 times in their history, with the Steelers leading 3-1. Coach John Harbaugh and Coach Mike Tomlin have coached against each other in 3 of those matchups, with Coach Tomlin being 2-1. When it comes to this rivalry, the games are always played close. Win-loss records do not matter in this game. Both teams know each other very well. Fans love nothing more than watching physical, violent football, which is what this AFC North rivalry gives.
The Ravens and Steelers split the season series 1-1, with both teams winning at home. The most recent matchup came in week 16 when the Ravens dominated the Steelers in a 34-17 rout. Back in week 11, the Steelers won 18-16 due 6o a failed two-point conversion attempt by the Ravens to tie the game with 1:06 remaining in the 4th quarter. Which could have potentially sent the game to Overtime. What was interesting about this game was that the Steelers failed to score a touchdown the entire game. Steelers kicker Chris Boswell kicked six field goals, which tied his season-high on the season where he kicked six field goals against the Atlanta Falcons in week 1. The difference in both games has been a turnover battle. The Steelers won the turnover battle in the first matchup 3-1 and won the game in week 11. The Ravens won the turnover battle in the second matchup 2-1 and won the game in week 16. That will be a focal point for both teams entering Super Wild Card Weekend.
The Baltimore Ravens are entering the postseason riding a four-game win streak and are hot. When we look at this team, we think this team can win it all and have the roster to do it. The Ravens look like one of the most dominant teams in the league; they are out-rushing teams by over 100 yards a game, and the defense is starting together. All the pieces are coming together. But every year, for some reason, in the playoffs, this team forgets its identity. They get away from what they do best. Running the ball. Last season, the Ravens were the number one in the league in rushing yards at 156.5 yards a game. Just over 31 rushing attempts a game. In the AFC championship against the Kansas City Chiefs, they ran the ball 16 times for 81 yards as a team. Once again, this season, the Ravens have the number one rushing offense with 187.6 yards a game and 554 attempts. The difference between this year and last year is Derrick Henry. If the Ravens want to win this game and make a run to the Super Bowl, they will need to rely on the run game so that it will open the passing game.
Lamar Jackson is having another MVP-level season throwing for 4,172 yards, 41 touchdowns, and only 4 interceptions. All three career highs for Lamar. He also ran for 915 yards and 4 touchdowns. The Ravens will need Lamar to play his best for him to win his first Super Bowl and the Ravens’ first Super Bowl since 2012 when they defeated the San Francisco 49ers. Lamar is entering this game with a 2-4 playoff record and a lot of pressure on him. He has been extremely successful in the regular season and every season that Lamar Jackson has finished; the Ravens have made the playoffs. As fans and analysts of the NFL, we see this as a Super or Bust season for this team. Lamar is playing the best he ever has in his career, and they have the best running attack in the NFL. This is the season that the Ravens need to finish the job.
The Pittsburgh Steelers come into this game on a cold streak, losing their last four games. Both the offense and the defense have regressed over the last four weeks. The offense over the last four weeks has scored 14.3 points a game, 258.8 total yards a game, 18.6 in efficiency, and has turned the ball over six times. Since Russell Wilson was named starter, the passing game has improved a little. But the struggles to get the ball downfield have been hard to watch. George Pickens was injured for some time, so it is somewhat understandable why the offense has struggled. But since he has returned, there has not been a difference in the production. The defense has not been much better. They have given up 27.3 points a game and 380.5 yards a game. The defense will need to force turnovers and bring the physicality early and often if they want to leave Baltimore with a win.
Something we thought we would not hear is that Mike Tomlin is under a lot of pressure to win this game. Mike Tomlin is known for being a great coach and going above win expectations. He has always had never had a losing season in a season. But just barely sneaking into the playoffs and losing in the 1st round consistently, is going to raise eyebrows. The Steelers have failed to advance past the wild-card round since 2017. If Mike Tomlin and the Steelers lose to the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday night, that will be his fifth straight loss. There is a lot of pressure for people on both teams to win this game.
This game is one of the best games on the slate for Super Wild Card weekend. Steelers vs Ravens will forever go down as one of the best rivalries in the NFL and we are in store for another movie in January.
Geoffrey Huggins
DiSportsPhotoAgency
Writer
