Who will emerge victorious in the Ravens vs. Steelers clash? On Saturday night, the Pittsburgh Steelers will face off against the Baltimore Ravens for the last time this season during the Wild Card Weekend. The Steelers are currently struggling with a four-game losing streak, holding the sixth seed in the AFC playoffs. In contrast, the Ravens, boasting a 12-5 record, enter as the third seed after clinching the AFC North title for the second consecutive year. Kickoff is set for 8:00 PM EST at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.
Read on for a detailed prediction of the Steelers vs. Ravens matchup.
Steelers Seeking Redemption in the Playoffs
The Pittsburgh Steelers enter the playoffs with a heavy heart, having lost four straight games, including a narrow 19-17 defeat against the Bengals to wrap up the season. This setback denied them a chance to claim the AFC North Title, which the Ravens secured with their weekend victory. The Steelers have faced significant challenges in the postseason; they have not won a playoff game since 2016, enduring five consecutive losses. They will need to confront a Ravens squad that has won four in a row, including a decisive 34-17 victory over the Steelers in Week 15. Head coach Mike Tomlin emphasizes the need to focus on the present. “It’s not about pouting over the last month. It’s about this week for us,” he stated. The Steelers and Ravens are no strangers to each other, having already battled twice this season, with each team claiming a win. “We’re playing someone that we’re highly familiar with,” Tomlin added.
Earlier in the season, the Steelers managed to edge out the Ravens in a close 18-16 match at home in Week 11. However, their performance has waned recently, winning only two of their last seven games. The Steelers will rely on Super Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson, making his 12th start of the season. He has thrown for nearly 64 percent completion, accumulating 2,482 yards and 16 touchdowns against just five interceptions. In their previous encounter in December, Wilson completed 67 percent of his passes for 217 yards and two touchdowns, despite one interception. Wilson will also have the support of a healthy George Pickens, whose contributions will be vital in stretching the Ravens’ defense to allow room for running back Najee Harris. Harris finished the season with 1,043 rushing yards and six touchdowns, alongside 36 receptions for 283 yards.
Overall, the Steelers’ offense ranked 16th in the NFL in scoring, with a 25th-place finish in rushing and 27th in passing. Their struggles in the red zone could pose significant challenges against the Ravens, as they ranked 29th in converting red zone opportunities into touchdowns. Fortunately, they have Chris Boswell, the NFL’s top kicker, who converted 93 percent of his kicks, including 13-of-15 from beyond 50 yards this season.
Defensively, the Steelers are still among the league’s elite units, finishing eighth in scoring defense. They ranked fifth against the run but struggled against the pass, coming in 25th. The defense is anchored by linebacker Patrick Queen, a former Raven, who recorded nearly 130 tackles this season, including seven for loss. However, the Steelers have had difficulty defending the Ravens’ ground attack, allowing a total of 344 rushing yards in their two matchups, averaging 6.0 yards per carry. Edge rushers TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith lead the pass rush; Watt finished the season with 11.5 sacks, and Highsmith added six. Their ability to disrupt the Ravens’ offense will be crucial for the Steelers’ chances. Despite their recent struggles, Pittsburgh has shown resilience, going 4-3 against playoff teams this season, although they have lost their last three games against postseason contenders.
Key Injuries: Defensive tackle Cameron Heyward, kicker Chris Boswell, and tight end MyCole Pruitt are questionable. Wide receiver Roman Wilson and defensive tackle Logan Lee are out.
Ravens Aiming to Capitalize on Previous Playoff Disappointments
The Baltimore Ravens, led by quarterback Lamar Jackson, are again setting their sights on the Super Bowl after falling short in previous playoff runs. They enter the playoffs as the third seed in the AFC following their AFC North title win and a solid 12-5 record. However, Jackson knows that regular-season success means little without postseason triumphs, particularly as he holds a playoff record of just 2-4. “You got to try to be mistake-free,” Jackson remarked about playoff games. “The game’s won with the turnover battle and keeping the ball in your control, moving the ball down the field, getting first downs.”
Despite his accolades, Jackson is arguably having the best season of his career, completing 67 percent of his passes for over 4,000 yards and 41 touchdowns while only throwing four interceptions. He boasts an impressive quarterback rating of 119.6. Additionally, he has showcased his dual-threat capabilities, rushing for 915 yards and four touchdowns. In the recent matchup against the Steelers, he completed 15-of-23 passes for 207 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. This season, Jackson benefits from the presence of veteran running back Derrick Henry, who finished with 1,912 yards and 16 touchdowns while also making 19 receptions for 193 yards. Henry closed the season with 138 rushing yards and two scores against the Browns, adding depth to the Ravens’ already potent offensive attack.
The Ravens’ offense finished third in the NFL in scoring, ranking first in rushing and seventh in passing. However, they face a setback with leading receiver Zay Flowers ruled out due to injury. Nonetheless, Jackson still has reliable targets like tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely, who combined for nearly 100 catches, over 1,100 receiving yards, and 17 touchdowns. Their effective mix of rushing and passing has made the Ravens the toughest team to stop in the red zone, where they lead the league in touchdown percentage. However, their kicking game has been a concern, as Justin Tucker is experiencing the worst season of his career, converting just 73 percent of his field goals, including 6-of-11 from beyond 50 yards.
On the defensive side, the Ravens rank ninth in scoring defense this season, allowing a total of 35 points across their two games against the Steelers. Their run defense is a standout, ranked first in the league. Led by linebacker Roquan Smith, who recorded 154 tackles, including four for loss, the defense also features safety Kyle Hamilton, who has 107 tackles, two sacks, nine passes defensed, and one interception. However, the Ravens’ secondary has been a weak point, ranking 31st against the pass. They are 10th in turnover margin this season and second in sacks per game, with veteran Kyle Van Noy leading the team with 12.5 sacks. A potential red flag is their penalty count, where they rank 30th in the NFL.
Key Injuries: Running back Justice Hill is questionable. Wide receiver Zay Flowers, wide receiver Deonte Harty, cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis, and cornerback Arthur Maulet are out.
Best Bets for Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens
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