The next chapter of the Ravens-Steelers rivalry will have huge implications in the AFC North, when the Ravens (9-5) host the Steelers (10-4) at M&T Bank Stadium.
Basics
Kickoff: Saturday, 4:30 p.m., M&T Bank Stadium
TV: WBFF Channel 45 (Baltimore), WTTG Channel 5 (Washington), and more. FOX crew Kevin Burkhardt (play-by-play), Tom Brady (analyst), Erin Andrews (sideline), Tom Rinaldi (sideline)
Radio:WBAL (101.5 FM/1090 AM), 98 Rock (97.9 FM), SiriusXM Radio Ch.162 or 227. Ravens crew: Gerry Sandusky (play-by-play), Rod Woodson (analyst). Westwood One Sports: Scott Graham (play-by-play), Mike Mayock (analyst)
History
The Steelers lead the all-time series, 36-25, including the postseason. Pittsburgh has won eight of the last nine games, all by seven points or fewer. The Ravens' last victory came in 2022 at Pittsburgh when Baltimore prevailed, 16-14, without an injured Lamar Jackson, who has a 1-4 career record against Pittsburgh as a starter. In Week 11, the Steelers didn't score a touchdown but squeezed out an 18-16 victory behind Chris Boswell's six field goals.
Stakes
Baltimore must win to keep its AFC North title hopes alive. A victory will clinch a playoff spot for the Ravens and move them into a tie with the Steelers with two weeks left in the regular season. The Steelers will clinch the division with a victory. They have already secured a playoff spot, but the Steelers don't want to leave the AFC North title in doubt facing home games against the Chiefs (Week 17) and Bengals (Week 18).
Key Storylines
Will Jackson finally break loose against the Steelers?
Jackson's 1-4 career record against Pittsburgh stands out dramatically when he's 66-20 against the rest of the NFL. The Ravens have been held to fewer than 20 points in Jackson's last three starts against the Steelers, and he has never thrown more than two touchdown passes against them in a game. Jackson is coming off a five-touchdown performance in Week 15, and if the Ravens are going to solve Pittsburgh’s defense, the answer likely begins with their quarterback.
Will the Ravens avoid penalties and turnovers?
The Ravens lead the NFL in penalties, while the Steelers lead in takeaways with 30, including 15 fumble recoveries (two in Week 11 against the Ravens). Mistakes have plagued Baltimore against Pittsburgh, and the Ravens' coaching staff has emphasized protecting the football during the week in practice. The Ravens committed 12 penalties against the Giants last weekend – the same number they had against Pittsburgh in Week 11. Cutting down on flags and fumbles would go a long way toward tilting Saturday's game in the Ravens' favor.
Will the Ravens make the AFC North race come down to the wire?
Thanks to their 0-2 start, the Ravens have been chasing Pittsburgh virtually the entire season. However, a victory would allow Baltimore to pull even and put more pressure on the Steelers, who have a tough schedule remaining. The Ravens want to start the playoffs at home, and repeating as division champions was one of their top priorities entering the season. The only way to make that happen is to beat Pittsburgh on Saturday.
Players to Watch
WR Zay Flowers
Flowers needs 84 receiving yards for his first 1,000-yard season and could have a heavy role in the game plan with Rashod Bateman (foot) and Nelson Agholor (concussion) dealing with injuries. The Steelers held Flowers to two catches for 39 yards in Week 11, and he'll be looking to break out.
RT Roger Rosengarten
The Ravens expect star edge rusher T.J. Watt to play despite his ankle injury last week, and he lines up almost exclusively over right tackle. That means rookie right tackle Rosengarten, who has enjoyed a solid season, needs to play one of his best games. While Rosengarten will get help from teammates, he will have his hands full trying to keep Watt from blowing up Baltimore's game plan.
ILB Roquan Smith
Smith looks rejuvenated after the bye, and this is the kind of game he relishes – physical football. The Steelers couldn't get their running game percolating in Philadelphia when they lost last weekend, and Smith will be stalking Pittsburgh running backs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. Smith and his defensive mates hope to make Pittsburgh's offense one-dimensional again.
