First place in the AFC North is at stake Sunday when the Ravens (7-3) and Steelers (7-2) renew their rivalry in Pittsburgh.
Basics
Kickoff: Sunday, 1 p.m., Acrisure Stadium
TV: WJZ Channel 13 (Baltimore), WUSA Channel 9 (Washington), and more. CBS crew: Ian Eagle (play-by-play), Charles Davis (analyst), Evan Washburn (sideline)
Radio: WBAL (101.5 FM/1090 AM), 98 Rock (97.9 FM), SiriusXM Radio Ch. 113 or 385. Ravens crew: Gerry Sandusky (play-by-play),Rod Woodson (analyst). Compass Media Networks: Chris Carrino (play-by-play), Brian Baldinger (analyst)
History
The Steelers lead the all-time series, 35-25, including the postseason. Pittsburgh has won seven of the last eight games, all by seven points or less. The Ravens' last victory came in 2022 at Pittsburgh when Baltimore squeezed out a 16-14 victory without an injured Lamar Jackson. Tyler Huntley started the game and undrafted rookie quarterback Anthony Brown finished it.
Stakes
The AFC North has become a two-team race between the Ravens and Steelers, and their head-to-head matchups will carry enormous weight in the divisional race. This is Pittsburgh's first game against an AFC North opponent, while the Ravens are already 2-1 in the division. The Steelers have a brutal schedule remaining and will face the Ravens again Week 16 in Baltimore. Both teams want this game badly to take the upper hand heading into the final seven weeks of the season.
Key Storylines
Will Jackson change his fortunes against the Steelers?
Jackson has only started four games against the Steelers, but his 1-3 career record against them stands out when he's 64-19 against everyone else. Sacks and turnovers have plagued Jackson against Pittsburgh, but he's playing the best football of his career in the most balanced offense he's ever been part of. Jackson's lone victory in Pittsburgh was in 2019, and this is an opportunity to end that drought.
How will Patrick Queen's first game against his former teammates play out?
Queen has talked plenty about the Ravens since signing with Pittsburgh, and now it's time to face them. It will be an emotional game for both teams and Queen is still close to many players on Baltimore's roster. Jackson and Queen have squared off in hundreds of practices, but it will be compelling to watch Queen at game speed trying to tackle Jackson, Derrick Henry, and other Ravens. There's sure to be trash talking on both sides, and Queen's presence in Pittsburgh only raises the intensity of this rivalry.
Can the Ravens end Pittsburgh's recent dominance over them?
This rivalry usually produces extremely competitive games, but the Ravens can't feel good about losing seven of their last eight against Pittsburgh. Baltimore feels it should have won last year in Pittsburgh, but was doomed by drops and a blocked punt. The Steelers have shown an uncanny ability to win close games against Baltimore, getting big plays at key moments from playmakers like wide receiver George Pickens and outside linebacker T.J. Watt. The Ravens are tired of hearing about Pittsburgh's success against them and are eager to change the narrative.
Here are five matchups to look out for in the AFC North rivalry game.
QB Lamar Jackson vs. S DeShon Elliott
Elliott spent his first three years in Baltimore before bouncing around the last few seasons. The 27-year-old has made an impact in Pittsburgh with 64 tackles, four passes defensed, and one interception. Now Elliott and the rest of the Steelers secondary has to stop the MVP favorite in Jackson, who has 24 touchdowns and just two interceptions this season.
WR Diontae Johnson vs. CB Donte Jackson
After playing his first five seasons in Pittsburgh, Johnson will get to see the other side of the rivalry Sunday. Johnson only has one catch with the Ravens since getting traded from the Panthers at the end of October, but revenge will be on his mind against the Steelers. Jackson has three interceptions and six passes defensed this season, and he will try to keep Johnson quiet in his return to the Steel City.
CB Marlon Humphrey vs. WR George Pickens
In three games with Russell Wilson under center, Pickens has 276 yards and two touchdowns, bringing in 85% of his targets. He had 91 yards and an absurd touchdown grab against the Commanders last week. Humphrey, who has been one of the league's best cornerbacks this season, will spend a lot of time on Pickens in the AFC North clash.
RB Derrick Henry vs. LB Patrick Queen
Henry and Queen were major topics around Baltimore all offseason after Queen left for the division rivals and Henry joined the Ravens. Henry is second in the NFL with 1,120 rushing yards while Queen has had some ups and downs so far in Pittsburgh. A Henry run right at Queen would be must-see TV.
RT Roger Rosengarten vs. LB T.J. Watt
Rosengarten has his toughest test yet as a pro facing one of the league's best edge rushers. Watt leads the NFL with four forced fumbles and has 6.5 sacks after leading the league with 19 last season. Rosengarten has settled in well since entering the starting lineup in Week 3, and Sunday will be a huge opportunity for the rookie.
Players to Watch
RB Derrick Henry
Henry averaged just 60.6 yards per carry in three games against Pittsburgh while playing for the Tennessee Titans. The Steelers' run defense is among the best, and the Ravens are 5-0 when Henry tops 100 yards. There could be some memorable collisions between Henry and Pittsburgh's defense.
RT Roger Rosengarten
Watt lines up almost exclusively over right tackle, which means Rosengarten will have the stiffest test of his rookie season. Watt has at least one sack against the Ravens in 10 straight games. While Rosengarten will get help from teammates, his main job will be to keep Watt from wrecking the Ravens' game plan.
NT Nnamdi Madubuike
Coming off a three-sack game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Madubuike will look to pressure Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson into mistakes or negative plays. Wilson is a superb deep ball thrower, but he has been sacked eight times in his three starts and needs time in the pocket to take shots downfield. The Ravens have given up big plays on defense, but a strong day from Madubuike would take some pressure off Baltimore's secondary.
