These two division rivals will meet for the third time this season. The Steelers won the first matchup earlier in the season when they were playing well, and the Ravens defense was struggling. The Ravens dominated the second matchup between the two teams and are playing excellent football right now, while the Steelers are playing their worst football of the year.
When the Steelers have the ball:
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin shocked fans and experts alike earlier in the season when he decided to bench Justin Fields for Russell Wilson. It paid off, as Wilson’s all-around game helped the Steelers flourish. Wilson has the arm to challenge Baltimore’s secondary, which has been its Achilles heel.
Two-Headed Monster
The Steelers have a two-headed rushing attack with Najee Harris as the primary ball carrier and Jaylen Warren as the pass-catching back. With the Steelers likely to be down in this game, they’re going to need to rely on Warren as much as possible to make big plays on 3rd and short.
Wilson to Pickens:
The key to the Steelers winning this game will be George Pickens stepping up and being the WR1 that he thinks he is. Baltimore is one of the worst teams against opposing top receivers, but Pickens tends to drop the ball in big situations. He’s got to come up big if the Steelers want to win. TE Pat Freiermuth will need to be heavily involved as well to take some pressure off Pickens.
When the Ravens have the ball:
The Ravens were built for this time of year. Lamar Jackson tends to overthrow some passes, but he can always be counted on to run and make plays with his legs. He knows the Steelers well and won’t be surprised with anything that he hasn’t seen before.
King Henry:
The Ravens added Derrick Henry specifically for the playoffs. Henry has never won a Super Bowl, and he really wants one prior to his retirement. He should be able to get about 25 to 30 carries in this game and is always a threat to break off a big play.
Pass Catchers:
The big question for the Ravens is the health of Zay Flowers. Flowers injured his knee in Week 18 and is very questionable and a game time decision. If Flowers is unable to play Rashod Bateman becomes the number one receiver. While Bateman is a solid player, he’s nothing like Flowers. If Flowers is out, what the Ravens will likely do is use their two tight ends extensively. Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely are both pass-catching weapons and should be able to find open space in the Steelers secondary.
Prediction:
The Steelers don’t have enough offensive firepower to keep up with Baltimore, whose running attack and Lamar Jackson’s dual-threat ability should lead them to victory.
