The Steelers are 7-2 and coming off their biggest win of the season, upending the Commanders on the road, 28-27. While that was no easy game, the real test for Pittsburgh starts today as six of their final eight games will be AFC North matchups. And to kick things off, the Steelers host the Ravens with first place in the division on the line.
Here's a snapshot of what Baltimore brings into Week 11:
BALTIMORE RAVENS
Record: 7-3
Standing: Second, AFC North
Last result: Won over Bengals, 35-34
THE TREND
The Ravens came into the season as Super Bowl contenders. And, for the most part, they've lived up to the hype.
Baltimore owns the league's No. 1 offense, and by a wide margin. Lamar Jackson is having another MVP-caliber season. And they've gotten off to a 2-1 start in the AFC North, sweeping the Bengals in the process.
However, this team isn't without their weaknesses. Two of their three losses were to the lowly Raiders and Browns. Despite leading the NFL with 318 points scored, they've also allowed 253 points, the sixth-most in the NFL. They can afford to give up so many points because of their potent offense. But, the defensive struggles could always catch up with them, especially against certain opponents. It's also worth noting the Ravens are the most penalized team in the league. In games like Steelers vs. Ravens, things like that matter.
The Ravens come into this game having won seven of their last eight games. However, they've also lost seven of the last 10 games against the Steelers, including two 17-10 defeats in 2023.
THE QUARTERBACK
Speaking of performances against the Steelers, there might not be a quarterback whose numbers are talked about more than Jackson's when facing Pittsburgh. Despite being a two-time MVP and boasting a ridiculous 23-1 record as a starter against the NFC, Jackson's been subpar, at best.
Jackson has a 1-3 record as a starter against the Steelers, and he's completed only 59.1% of his passes and thrown for four touchdowns with seven interceptions, a passer rating of just 66.8. However, out of a possible 12 games against the Steelers, Jackson's only played in six due to injuries and other circumstances, such as last season's meeting in Baltimore when the Ravens had their playoff seeding wrapped up and sat Jackson to preserve his health. Whether it's a lack of experience against Pittsburgh or whatever the case may be, the Steelers have had his number.
All of that being said, previous success against Jackson should not lull fans into thinking he's due for a terrible game just because it's against the Steelers. Jackson is following up an MVP season with an even better performance. Jackson's completing a career high 69.1% of his passes for 2,669 yards, 24 touchdowns and only two interceptions. His touchdown passes, 8.3 touchdown percentage, 9.3 yards per attempt and 123.2 passer rating lead the NFL, not to mention he's also got 538 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns on 91 carries.
There's really no other way to say it: Jackson's been outstanding. In a vacuum, just taking 2024 into account, he's got a legitimate case to be considered the best quarterback in the game. And any narrative that he's not a good pocket passer is negated by his 71.9 completion percentage and 118.8 passer rating from the pocket. But, as always, Jackson is truly lethal outside the pocket, as he can make plays nobody else on the planet can:
— DK Pittsburgh Sports (@DKPSmedia) November 16, 2024
It is very possible for Jackson to have a good game today and the Ravens still lose. Maybe it's another game in which Jackson's receivers dropped a boatload of passes. Maybe it could be because of self-inflicted wounds such as penalties or losing the turnover battle. Or maybe, just maybe, Jackson is from planet Krypton and Acrisure Stadium is built on a deposit of Kryptonite. Some teams just seem to have a certain players' number. Either way, today will be a true test for the Steelers defense, just because of Jackson alone.
THE OFFENSE
However, Jackson is the focal point of the league's best offense. And they are the league's best offense by a wide margin. It's really not even close.
They have the No. 1 scoring offense (31.8 points per game), total offense (440.2 yards per game), rushing offense (182.6 yards per game) and No. 3 passing offense (257.6 yards per game). They are also averaging 7.1 yards per play, which blows everyone out of the water. The 49ers are a distant second place with 6.5 yards per play, and the league average is 5.4.
The addition of Derrick Henry has allowed offensive coordinator Todd Monken to dial up all kinds of looks with multiple personnel packages to keep defenses guessing. If teams focus too much on stopping Jackson, they leave themselves susceptible to Henry tearing them to shreds. Henry heads into today with 1,120 rushing yards, trailing Philadelphia's Saquon Barkley by 17 yards, but the Eagles are already done with their Week 11 matchup, so just 18 more yards would make Henry the leading rusher again, to go along with his league-leading 12 rushing touchdowns and 6.1 yards per carry
Henry also has the longest run of the season so far at 87 yards. The Steelers are ultra focused on Henry's unique ability to wear defenses down with his physicality and then hit a home run with his track speed:
— DK Pittsburgh Sports (@DKPSmedia) November 16, 2024
Of course, the Ravens have a number of other weapons. Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely are one of the best tight end duos in the league, and fullback Patrick Ricard cannot be forgotten, either. Zay Flowers is as dangerous as anyone in space, and the complement of Rashod Bateman, Nelson Agholor and former Steeler Diontae Johnson gives Jackson arguably the most potent group of receivers he's had. The offensive line is a bit weak at guard, but they've become a good enough unit to allow the Baltimore offense to fire on all cylinders. This will be the Steelers' toughest test of the season on the defensive side of the ball.
THE DEFENSE
So far, the Ravens sound like a completely unstoppable team. However, this is where the Ravens' success will ultimately be defined. For as good as their offense is, their defense can end things at a moment's notice.
It's not all bad. In fact, the Ravens have the league's top-ranked rush defense, allowing just 73.0 rushing yards per game. However, the Ravens' offense has often jumped out to big leads, forcing teams to become one-dimensional and abandon the run. Of the teams that have played 10 games, they've been run against the least number of times (21.6 attempts per game). However, the Ravens also have the second-best rush EPA (expected points added) in the league and they allow only 3.4 yards per carry, which means they are efficient against the run.
Players up front such as Nnamdi Madubuike, Travis Jones, Kyle Van Noy, and Odafe Oweh, along with Roquan Smith and Trenton Simpson on the second level, all contribute to a stout rush defense. Kyle Hamilton also contributes in run defense from the safety position, but he's also just as dangerous in coverage and aids in a Baltimore pass rush that is tied for fourth in the league in sacks:
— DK Pittsburgh Sports (@DKPSmedia) November 16, 2024
The Achilles heel of the Ravens' defense -- and team -- is an abysmal pass defense, which ranks dead last in the NFL. Now, people such as Mike Tomlin or Arthur Smith will try to have you think it's because teams are having to throw their way back into games. However, the Ravens are allowing 294.5 passing yards per game. They also rank 30th in dropback EPA, which backs up the idea that this is just a bad pass defense.
Marlon Humphrey is still a great cornerback, but Brandon Stephens, Nate Wiggins and Tre'Davious White have been bad. Marcus Williams has been horrendous at safety alongside Hamilton. And, Smith and Simpson have been real disappointments in coverage, forcing Hamilton to overcompensate for their mistakes, leaving large holes over the top. For the Steelers' offense, surely try to run the football. But, this is where chunks can be taken out and points can be scored.
THE SPECIAL TEAMS
Justin Tucker was long known as the best kicker in the game. However, that no longer appears to be the case. Tucker has made only 78.9% of his field goal attempts and he's also missed an extra point. Chris Boswell has a clear advantage here. Jordan Stout is a solid punter, with only two of his 31 punts ending up as touchbacks.
THE INJURY REPORT
• Kyle Hamilton, S (ankle) -- Coming off an injured ankle in the Ravens' Week 10 win over the Bengals, Hamilton didn't practice Wednesday. However, he returned Thursday as a limited participant and fully practiced Friday. He's cleared to play with no injury designation.
• Lamar Jackson, QB (knee/rest) -- Jackson was placed on the injury report on Thursday as a limited participant. Any time a star quarterback is on the injury report, it's worth tracking. But, there's nothing to see here. He fully practice Friday and is cleared to play.
• Isaiah Likely, TE (hamstring) -- There was some early speculation that Likely might miss this game, as he was limited in practice on Wednesday. However, he fully practiced Thursday and Friday, and is cleared to play.
• Arthur Maulet, DB (calf) -- The former Steeler injured his calf during Thursday's practice and was not able to return for the remainder of the week. He's officially ruled out, so he'll have to wait for the opportunity to beat his former teammates.
• Travis Jones, DT (ankle) -- Jones was limited in practice Thursday and Friday, which earned him a questionable designation. Through the first 10 games of the regular season, he's logged 22 tackles (14 solo), including one sack. He's a solid player up front for Baltimore, so his absence would be noticeable.
• Kyle Van Noy, OLB (illness) -- Van Noy missed Wednesday's practice with an illness, but returned to practice as a full participant both Thursday and Friday. He's cleared to play today.
Players on injured reserve:
• Malik Hamm, OLB (knee)
• Deonte Harty, WR (knee)
• Deion Jennings, LB (undisclosed)
• Christian Matthew, CB (undisclosed)
• Trayvon Mullen, CB (shoulder)
• Michael Pierce, DT (calf)
• T.J. Tampa, CB (ankle)
• Owen Wright, RB (foot)
QUOTABLE
"They have played well against us, and we haven't played well against them, in that sense, as far as moving the ball and scoring points and all that. This is a new game. We don't live in the past. We're moving forward. We don't live in the past game. We don't live in the past record. None of that matters. It's the next game. No matter what happens, you get ready for the next football game in the National Football League. But we'll look at it scientifically. You go back and watch all the games and try to make sure that we are doing the things that we need to do to win this particular game." -- John Harbaugh on the Steelers' success against Lamar Jackson
"I appreciate that, coming from a coach (with) all the success he's had. But when we're on that field, it's a different ballgame. That's with any opponent, though, not just the Steelers. My mindset is totally different when I'm out there, regardless; I'm trying to win. But I appreciate it, though. I appreciate it." -- Jackson on Mike Tomlin calling him 'Mr. Jackson' out of respect
"Yes, it is. Just being back in that stadium, where it all started, it's going to be different. I actually have never been in the away locker room, so that's going to be different for me, but I'm ready to get back there, just to see the good people that I made relationships with, but other than that, it's a big moment for me." -- Diontae Johnson on if it's weird being on the Baltimore side of the Steelers-Ravens rivalry
"Two guys that I have nothing but great things to say about. Were incredible teammates, guys that you can go to. They're both playing really good ball, and it will be a fun matchup against both those guys." -- Mark Andrews on playing against former teammates Patrick Queen and DeShon Elliott
"Yes, I've heard it. It's something that they've had going here for a while, and I guess I'm not going to be a Raven until we get the W." -- Derrick Henry on if he's heard 'You're not a Raven until you beat the Steelers' in the locker room
