Pittsburgh Steelers Preview – Who Will be Kings of the North?

Before the 2024 season began and when the schedules for the NFL were published, many looked at the Pittsburgh Steelers schedule and immediately said “trouble.” That’s because of the nine games the Steelers were set to play. Those same skeptics believed that part of Pittsburgh’s schedule would be their downfall.

Here we are after nine games and the Steelers have won seven of them. Now comes that myriad of games everyone that isn’t a Pittsburgh fan was sweating. The first of the nine is in the books and it was an impressive victory albeit by just a point in Washington as the Steelers knocked off the Commanders. One down and eight to go. 

I’m a believer that if Russell Wilson had not taken over three games ago, then yes, this remaining schedule may have been more difficult to tread through. Not disrespecting Justin Fields by any means it’s just that Russell Wilson has made this team jell especially on offense but because of the difference in production offensively, the defense seems to have taken on a new attitude and has played much harder with so much more focus.

Many experts are talking up the Ravens and how Lamar Jackson is playing as he defends his Most Valuable Player Award from a year ago. There is no denying what Derrick Henry is accomplishing since coming from the Titans to Baltimore. He’s simply running wild. He will be the key along with spying on Jackson. 

As far as history goes, 60 games have been played between these two teams since the Ravens arrived in Baltimore and the Steelers have won more than half with 35 victories. In the playoffs there have been four meetings and three of the victories belong to the Black and Gold. The very first meeting came on September 8, 1996, and in Pittsburgh the Steelers won 31-17. After losing later that season, Pittsburgh won the next five from 1997-1999 until the Ravens finally got one back in December of that year, winning 31-24. 

The Steelers would have another four-game winning streak from 2001-2003 and again from 2020 through 2022. Baltimore has never beaten the Steelers in more than three games in a row. The most points on the board by Pittsburgh was 43 in 2014 that came in a 43-23 victory in Pittsburgh. In 1997 the Steelers nearly matched that with a 42-24 victory in Baltimore. The Steelers scored 30 or more on the Ravens nine times and all of those were victories. 

Baltimore’s highest output came in a loss to Pittsburgh in 2017 when they fell by one point 39-38. In 2011 they beat up on the Steelers winning 35-7. The Ravens have scored 30 or more seven additional times, winning five of them. Baltimore has shut out the Steelers twice, 16-0 on September 3, 2000, and 27-0 on November 26, 2006. The Steelers returned the favor just once beating Baltimore 37-0 on November 9, 1997. 

As for total points, in the 60 games, Pittsburgh has scored 1,209 points and Baltimore 1,154. On average, which is 20.2 for the Steelers, and 19.2 for Baltimore. The average margin of victory for the Steelers when they have won is 8 ½ points. When the Ravens are the victors, the difference in final score is an average of 9.7 points. Close games huh? This weekend should be no different. 

Over the years the battles between these two have been historic. It may never get as ugly as it did when Hines Ward was the wide receiver blasting Baltimore defenders with vicious blocks and Ben Roethlisberger getting beat up at times drawing blood. These two teams absolutely hated each other, and it seems they were always out to get number 86. Troy Polamalu wreaked havoc on the Ravens. Who can ever forget the class AFC title game in 2009 won by the Steelers 23-14? Troy Polamalu, the “Tasmanian Devil” he was returning an interception 40 yards to the house to ice the game? Future Super Bowl hero Santonio Holmes scoring on a 65-yard touchdown bomb from Big Ben? Memories for a lifetime.

Offense vs. Offense

This is a classic push comes to shove. Stout defense vs. #1 offense. Something has to give. This battle will be won in the trenches. The Ravens come in with the top ranked offense averaging 440.2 yards per game. The Steelers defense is permitting just 302.7 yards per game. Mostly because of Derrick Henry, Baltimore rushes for 182.6 yards per game. The Steelers are only giving up 87.1 yards per game. For the Steelers, as a team the passing yards per game average is 188.0 and running the ball is getting them 138.3 yards each time out. Keep in mind that Justin Fields was the quarterback for the first six games and since Russell Wilson took over, in the three games he started and the Steelers won, Wilson threw for 264, 278, and 195 yards. He also has six touchdown passes to boot. Pittsburgh’s offense is much different than it was in the first six games.

Given how well Lamar Jackson has played this season and the fact he is the reigning league Most Valuable Player, do not forget he lost the last time he faced the Steelers last October but did not play in the second meeting. In that 17-10 victory by Pittsburgh, Jackson completed 22 of 38 passes and was intercepted once, sacked four times. His rating for that game was 65.2. Previous to that, he did not play when the Steelers and Ravens met for the second time on New Year's Day 2023 which the Steelers won that game 16-13. He also did not play in the first meeting that season. 

In 2021 Lamar Jackson and his Ravens were swept by the Steelers in the regular season with the Steelers taking the first one on December 5th in Pittsburgh 20-19. Jackson would throw for 253 yards but miss 14 passes on 37 attempts, getting picked once and being sacked an incredible seven times. His rating again was low at 80.1. A few weeks later on January 9, in Baltimore, Pittsburgh upended the Ravens to finish their season 9-7-1 winning by a score of 16-13. The Ravens finished with a losing record of 8-9. Jackson sat this one out as well.

For the record, the last time Russell Wilson faced the Baltimore Ravens was in 2022 when he was with the Denver Broncos. It was December 4 and Denver lost to Baltimore 10-9. Wilson was sharp that day with 17 completions on 22 attempts for 189 yards. He was sacked just twice and threw no interceptions. His rating was 102.0.

Advantage: Given the stats on the season to date, it would seem silly to say the Steelers have the better offense, but I’d say buyers beware. If Jackson and Henry are not on their game, Baltimore will be in serious trouble. Russell Wilson is more comfortable each time out and with the addition of Mike Williams, make no mistake that the Steelers offense is scary and dangerous. But for this game, advantage Baltimore.

Defense vs. Defense

The Baltimore Ravens have always had an outstanding defense. But gone are the days of Terrell Suggs, Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, and Haloti Ngata to name a few. Lewis was a scary dude. Arguments were consistent on who was better, Ed Reed or Troy Polamalu. But this is 2024 and as good as those old Baltimore and Pittsburgh defenses were when they went to war, there is a huge disparity in the current day.

The Baltimore Ravens’ pass defense is currently last in the NFL. That is hard to believe given their record but it’s true. Dead last. 32nd in the league. They are yielding 294.9 yards per game. Pittsburgh is better but not a whole lot. They are 19th and give up 215.6 yards per game. But it is much better than the Ravens’ mark. When it comes to stuffing the run, the Steelers are Ravens are nearly equal. Baltimore allows 73.0 yards per game whereas the Steelers number is 87.1. Unless Baltimore finds a way to bring that average, I believe Russell Wilson will have an incredibly good day. 

Can the Steelers slow down Derrick Henry? The former Tennessee Titan has run hog wild over some teams this season. His best game came against the Buffalo Bills when he ran roughshod over them with 199 yards. In 10 games he has gone over the century mark five times with games of 169, 132, and 151 in that mix. However, the Bengals held him to just 68 yards the last time out and Cleveland shut him down allowing just 73 yards on the ground. Opening day saw him gain just 46 yards in Kansas City. Therefore, he can be slowed down. That will be the Steelers challenge. 

Lamar Jackson on the other hand has gained the reputation of being a playoff choker but is in the running for a second straight Most Valuable Player Award. He’s thrown for over 300 yards just twice in 10 games, but his control and accuracy are M.V.P. worthy. He has tossed 24 touchdown passes and thrown just two interceptions. That’s impressive. For every game, his completion percentage has been above 60%. So, for the Steelers’ defense, stop these two weapons and they should win the game. 

As for the Steelers defense, this might be Mike Tomlin’s best defense EVER. This unit is simply loaded. Let’s begin this conversation with Patrick Queen. He gets his first of two shots for the season at his old team which he just left after last season. Do you think he’s amped? Duh. I think T.J. Watt is also going to be super pumped for this one given he was shut out last week. Alex Highsmith won’t be playing but perhaps it is some bias but most of it is honesty. Just listen to the talent that rolls off your tongue…Keeanu Benton, Beanie Bishop, DeShon Elliott, Minkah Fitzpatrick (possible future HOFer), Cameron Heyward (definite Hall of Famer), Joey Porter Jr., Preston Smith (welcome aboard Preston with your performance last week!), Queen, Donte Jackson, Larry Ogunjobi, Watt (first ballot HOFer), and Cameron Sutton. Let’s not leave out Highsmith when he is healthy and Nick Herbig who always makes a play when on the field. Rookie Payton Wilson is impressive in his first season and then the backups made up of Elandon Roberts, Tyler Matakevich, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Miles Killebrew, and Damontae Kazee, just to name a few.

They say defense wins games and if our offense keeps motoring like it has been…watch out NFL. This team could win the Super Bowl. 

Advantage: Steelers.

Intangibles: The Steelers have won seven of the last eight meetings losing only in 2022 16-14 in Pittsburgh. The Steelers are on a three-game winning streak in the series and are playing at home. Currently Pittsburgh is riding a four-game winning streak and Baltimore has won back-to-back games since losing to the Browns. As it is with every Steelers/Ravens game, the hitting will be hard, and the game is almost always close. But just think about the fans. How loud will they be? VERY loud. They talk about the 12th man in Seattle. The Pittsburgh Steelers have their 12th man in every stadium they play in no matter where they are. Using Washington as an example last week. Incredible. Now they are home in front of a sellout crowd. I can feel the goosebumps already.



Final score? Steelers 24 Ravens 17.