The Pittsburgh Steelers talked all offseason about how they have a Baltimore Ravens problem, particularly when it came to stopping the run. In the Wild Card round loss to the Ravens last season, Pittsburgh allowed 299 rushing yards and had no shot in that 28-14 loss.
So, they went about focusing on adding run stoppers to the mix this offseason. At times, it’s worked. Lately though, the Steelers have been gashed, particularly by the Buffalo Bills last week. Now, they’ll face Derrick Henry and the Ravens in Baltimore, with the Ravens coming off of a tough loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Thanksgiving night.
The Ravens have a few extra days or rest, while the Steelers are reeling. What could go wrong?
Following what we did last year here at Steelers Depot, myself, Joe Clark, Ross McCorkle, Scott Brown, Troy Montgomery, Jake Brockhoff and Dr. Melanie Friedlander will answer four key questions weekly, previewing the games.
Let’s talk about the Steelers’ Week 14 matchup at M&T Bank Stadium against the Baltimore Ravens
QUESTION 1: WHO IS THE STEELERS’ X FACTOR AGAINST THE RAVENS?
Josh Carney: DL Yahya Black. The Ravens have to be licking their chops after seeing the Bills run for 249 yards in Week 13, with most of that coming on the same play 26 times. Without Derrick Harmon for another week, the Steelers’ run defense has to fix things. Black had nine tackles last week, but wasn’t as impactful as many hoped. This is the type of matchup he was drafted for. Time to take a step forward.
Joe Clark: DL Cam Heyward. The Steelers got gashed against the run last week and gashed against the run against the Bills last week. It’s a group effort, but Heyward is the leader. He’s the one who’s going to need to step up, rally the troops and make some plays himself. He’s had a solid season (although his 1.5 sacks are lower than what we’re used to seeing), but he needs to have one of his best games against the Ravens.
Ross McCorkle: CBs Asante Samuel Jr. We will see if it’s James Pierre or Samuel starting opposite Joey Porter Jr., but whoever it is will need to be ready. The NFL is a copycat league, and the Ravens will be testing the Steelers’ corners on perimeter runs just as the Buffalo Bills did a week ago. Derrick Henry is a tough tackle, too.
Scott Brown: QB Aaron Rodgers. The four-time NFL MVP probably has just five games left in what has been a resplendent career — unless he can conjure up some of the magic that made him Aaron Rodgers in the first place. He’ll have to do so with a bum wrist and receiving corps that is as scary as a Dr. Seuss book. But Rodgers doesn’t want to go out like this. Neither do the Steelers.
Troy Montgomery: WR DK Metcalf. The Steelers need more out of Metcalf. His lack of production isn’t completely his fault, but they need him to be at his best this week. The Ravens have some play makers in their secondary, but their pass defense has been a weakness overall. The Steelers might need some big plays from Metcalf if they want to beat the Ravens and keep their playoff hopes alive.
Jake Brockhoff: ILB Patrick Queen. In his first year with the black and gold, Patrick Queen was only able to come out with a win against his former team once out of the three times they played. He, along with the rest of the linebacker room, struggled in both of the last two matchups in Baltimore. He wasn’t the only reason for the loss to the Bills, but he’ll need to take charge and help his defense be better against the run as it faces Derrick Henry this Sunday.
Dr. Melanie Friedlander: LB Patrick Queen. Despite leaving the game last Sunday due to injury and missing some practices this week, Queen returned to practice on a limited basis Friday. He has no injury designation and will play on Sunday. The former Ravens player has said he no longer feels the need to play the villain in this rivalry. That is good news because the Steelers need him to be singularly focused on the task at hand. Queen will be one of the keys to stopping RB Derrick Henry from repeating the domination in the run game that he achieved the last two times these teams met. And with so many adjustments on the defense due to injury, the player with the green dot needs to keep his teammates organized.
QUESTION 2: WHAT IS THE MATCHUP TO WATCH IN STEELERS-RAVENS?
Josh Carney: Ravens RB Derrick Henry vs. Steelers LBs. The last time Henry played the Steelers he ran for 186 yards and two touchdowns. The Ravens as a team ran for 299 yards in the blowout win in the playoffs. Pittsburgh shaped its offseason trying to fix the Baltimore problem, but the run defense seems worse. Patrick Queen’s status is up in the air, too, so Payton Wilson, Cole Holcomb and Malik Harrison need to be up to the challenge against Henry and the run game. If not, it will be a long, long day.
Joe Clark: Steelers coverage vs. Ravens TEs. It feels like Isaiah Likely always has a big catch or two against the Steelers. Mark Andrews is coming off a brand-new extension, and while he hasn’t been as impactful this year as in the past, is still a dangerous receiving threat. The Steelers have struggled against tight ends at times this year, and it can’t happen against the Ravens. Taking Likely and Andrews out of the game as receiving threats is key.
Ross McCorkle: DT Yahya Black vs. OG Daniel Faalele. The two biggest guys on the field. With Harmon out, Black needs to step his game up, and he won’t have a size advantage this time. Can he answer the call, or will this be the Steelers’ foil again.
Scott Brown: DT Keeanu Benton vs. C Tyler Linderbaum. Benton seems increasingly miscast as a de facto NT. Nonetheless, he is talented – and crucial to the Steelers holding up a team that ran all over them the last time the AFC North rivals met. That won’t be easy against Linderbaum, who has made the last two Pro Bowls.
Troy Montgomery: Steelers OLB Alex Highsmith vs. Ravens LT Ronnie Stanley. The Ravens will likely lean on their run game against the Steelers. However, when they do throw the ball, the Steelers will need to get after Lamar Jackson. He hasn’t looked like himself recently. T.J. Watt will likely receive the bulk of the attention from the offensive line, as he usually does, so Highsmith will need to take advantage of those opportunities. Stanley is a seasoned veteran, which won’t make Highsmith’s job easy. However, players need to step up this week.
Jake Brockhoff: Steelers RBs vs. Ravens front seven. The Steelers have their own issues defending the run. But it’s not one of Baltimore’s strengths either. Pittsburgh’s offense is going to need to keep themselves on the field to have a chance with this one, and maybe even win the time of possession battle, which feels impossible this year. Both Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell will run the ball, and each needs to play well this Sunday.
Dr. Melanie Friedlander: Ravens TE Mark Andrews versus CB Brandon Echols. While Echols has been better than expected filling in at slot corner, Andrews has a seven inch height and 70 pound weight advantage. Andrews is a big target with reliable hands and may be targeted more often this week with Lamar Jackson hampered by an ankle injury and less likely to scramble.
QUESTION 3: WHAT IS THE BIGGEST KEY TO THE GAME FOR THE STEELERS?
Josh Carney: Stop the run at any cost. Again, the last time these two teams played, Baltimore ran for 299 yards. The Steelers tried a different approach in that Wild Card loss and it backfired. They had no answers. Now, they’d better, especially after getting embarrassed by the Bills one week ago. Sell out to stop the run, and make a banged up Lamar Jackson beat you with his arm. He’s having accuracy issues lately. It could play into the Steelers’ hands.
Joe Clark: Sustain drives. The defense has rightfully gotten a lot of criticism, and if they don’t stop the run, they’re doomed. But this offense has been so painful to watch. If the Steelers can’t pick up first downs and sustain drives and we get another wave of three-and-outs or one first down followed by three throws short of the sticks, Baltimore is going to cook them. Possessing the ball, letting the defense stay fresh and maybe, actually putting points on the board are things that need to happen.
Ross McCorkle: At least stay even in time of possession. We all know the Steelers aren’t going to win the time of possession battle at this point. But they can’t get trounced like they did a week ago. Derrick Henry will build too much momentum if they allow that to happen. This means getting off the field on possession downs and moving the chains on offense. A turnover or two wouldn’t hurt, either.
Scott Brown: Unleashing hell. Seriously. The Steelers, in both effort and execution, have to play their best game of the season Sunday. They seem to be allergic to momentum – not that they have had any since even before Halloween candy lined store shelves – but beating the Ravens in Baltimore could be a springboard. Whatever a complete game by the Steelers looks like they need it. Like, right now.
Troy Montgomery: Capitalize on turnovers. The Steelers cannot squander any extra opportunities they get this week. Turnovers have been a huge part of many of their best wins. The Ravens look like they’re going to run all over the Steelers’ defense again. However, forcing some turnovers would be a great way to make up for that. The Steelers have to score if their defense gets a takeaway though. Don’t squander any opportunities.
Jake Brockhoff: Complementary football. It’s something the Steelers haven’t played nearly enough this year. They’re obviously going to need to stop the run. But beyond that, take advantage of good field position when it’s provided, and don’t back your defense up by turning the ball over. The last time the Steelers beat the Ravens, at home last season, they played good complimentary football. That needs to happen again this week.
Dr. Melanie Friedlander: Luck? I kid, but it’s hard to see how else the Steelers will stop the rushing and passing attack of the Ravens offense, especially without some key players on defense who will be missing this game due to injury. The Steelers will need to be locked in and playing with a singular focus. If they don’t beat themselves, they have a chance.
QUESTION 4: WHAT IS YOUR PREDICTION FOR STEELERS AT RAVENS?
Josh Carney: I just have no idea how to read this team at this point. Nobody does. The last time we saw the Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium, it was a disaster. They’re coming off an embarrassing performance against the Bills last week, too. I simply cannot put any faith in the Steelers finding a way this week. Ravens 24, Steelers 19
Joe Clark: I’m sick of saying and believing “this is a game the Steelers always find a way to win.” A full week of speculation about Mike Tomlin’s future, and then the Steelers pull a rabbit out of their hat, win and sit atop the AFC North. I just don’t believe in this team. They have no juice and they aren’t very good. This is going to be Baltimore’s first step toward running away with the division. Ravens 28 Steelers 12
Ross McCorkle: The Steelers are down and out, right? Mike Tomlin’s nearly two decades in the league would say otherwise. Other than their last two meetings, the Steelers have dominated the Ravens in recent years, and that’s when Lamar Jackson is at full health. It’s time for a surprise win with a classic narrow finish for these two teams. Steelers 23, Ravens 20
Scott Brown: It is December and the Steelers still can’t run the ball or stop the run. But keep watching. Ravens 24, Steelers 13
Troy Montgomery: This is the exact type of game that Mike Tomlin’s Steelers have won over the years. However, I just can’t pick them to win. They don’t do enough well, including stopping the run. Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson haven’t been as good this year as they were last year, but they’re both still special players. Another trip to Baltimore, another loss. Ravens 27, Steelers 16
Jake Brockhoff: The Ravens are far from as dominant as we’ve seen them be in recent years. But the Steelers seem to have even less life in them. At this point, I won’t trust the Steelers to stop the run until they prove they’re capable of doing so. The Steelers are capable of bounce-back games this year, but I’m not sure they have enough life left to overcome the Ravens on the road. Ravens 21, Steelers 16.
Dr. Melanie Friedlander: The winner of this game controls the AFC North, at least for the time being. There are very few scenarios where the Steelers could take the division back if they lose to Baltimore on Sunday, so they should be hungry and desperate. That probably won’t translate to success on the field, though. It will likely be another ugly loss for Pittsburgh. Ravens 31 Steelers 13