Ravens vs. Steelers takeaways: Derrick Henry makes Baltimore a Super Bowl threat directly.
The Ravens’ playoff journey is set to continue, showcasing their determination and skill on the field.
On the other hand, the Steelers will enter the offseason facing a multitude of questions that could shape their future.
Here’s what emerged from Saturday’s game.
Derrick Henry recorded an impressive 1,921 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns during the regular season. However, for the Ravens, this performance is just the beginning. The expectation is to reach—and ideally win—the Super Bowl, especially after previous playoff disappointments in the Lamar Jackson era, including last season’s defeat to the Chiefs in the AFC Championship.
Henry’s ability to dominate the early rounds of the playoffs, even against a struggling Steelers squad, is a welcome sight for the Ravens. It serves as a reminder of his historical prowess during this time of year. He entered the postseason with an average of 99.8 rushing yards per game in December or later, the highest in the Super Bowl era among players with at least 30 playoff appearances. Following his performance on Saturday night, he is now tied with Hall of Famer Terrell Davis for the most playoff games with at least 150 rushing yards, totaling four.
Steelers: The most pressing question for Pittsburgh is who will be the starting quarterback in 2025?
A few months back, Russell Wilson seemed like the clear choice. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and there were discussions about a potential contract worth over $30 million per season. Initially, he led the Steelers to a 6-1 record in his first seven games, displaying efficient play. However, the offense struggled in the last four games of the season, resulting in losses, and his performance declined. This playoff setback adds to the uncertainty surrounding his future.
Justin Fields, also a free agent, was Pittsburgh’s starter for the first six weeks of the season. He made sound decisions and was a notable rushing threat. At just 25 years old, Fields has potential, but he hasn’t consistently demonstrated the ability to stretch defenses vertically, a skill Wilson had when he took the helm.
The Steelers face a challenging road ahead. Positioned in the latter half of the first round, they likely won’t have the opportunity to draft a quarterback in what is perceived as a weak class for the position. If they choose not to re-sign Wilson and/or Fields, free agency may be their best option.
Yet, even with a new quarterback, the question remains: Can a change at signal-caller be enough to turn around a Steelers team that has now suffered six consecutive playoff defeats?
