The Ravens misplaced quarterback Lamar Jackson to a knee damage however scratched out a 10-9 victory over the Denver Broncos. After a dreadful begin, the Pittsburgh Steelers have gained three of 4. Which AFC North rival can have the benefit when Baltimore and Pittsburgh match up for the primary time this season?
Ravens passing sport vs. Steelers move protection
Tyler Huntley relieved Lamar Jackson after the primary quarter of the Ravens’ Week 13 win over the Broncos and is predicted to start out in opposition to Pittsburgh. He engineered the 91-yard landing drive that gained the sport however in any other case struggled to get the offense transferring, finishing 27 of 32 passes for 187 yards and an interception. Huntley does job of discovering the throw out there to him, and he stored the Ravens shut in all 4 of his 2021 begins final season, a kind of a season-ending loss to the Steelers. But his profession common of 5.7 yards per try (in comparison with 7.4 for Jackson) tells us he not often seems to be for the large strike. The Ravens have been caught within the mud even earlier than Jackson harm his knee; they rank twenty sixth in Football Outsiders’ move DVOA since their Week 10 bye after rating fifth earlier than that. Tight finish Mark Andrews (56 catches on 86 targets, 654 yards, 5 touchdowns) stays possibility No. 1, however he’s effectively behind his 2021 All-Pro tempo. Wide receiver Demarcus Robinson (33 catches on 50 targets, 338 yards) has been inconsistent because the group’s high outside-the-numbers possibility. Rookie tight finish Isaiah Likely fought previous a shoulder damage to make a significant catch and run on the game-winning drive in opposition to Denver, however the Ravens have struggled to get a number of move catchers going a couple of sport at a time. Meanwhile, they missed injured left deal with Ronnie Stanley (ankle) in opposition to the Broncos, with Patrick Mekari and rookie Daniel Faalele combining for a subpar sport in move safety.
The Ravens hope to have Stanley again in Pittsburgh to assist in opposition to one of many league’s most dynamic edge rushers in T.J. Watt. Watt missed many of the season with a pectoral damage and remains to be “pretty beat up,” in response to coach Mike Tomlin, however the Ravens know too effectively how he can wreck a sport. The Steelers’ move protection was beneath common by 10 weeks however has picked up not too long ago, led by Watt, defensive deal with Cameron Heyward, edge rusher Alex Highsmith (10 sacks) and security Minkah Fitzpatrick (4 interceptions, eight passes defended), who grades as one of the best within the league at his place, per Pro Football Focus. The Steelers rank fifth within the league in blitz charge however thirtieth in pressures per drop-back, so their move rush has not produced to its typical stage.
EDGE: Steelers
Steelers passing sport vs. Ravens move protection
The Steelers have endured anticipated rising pains from rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett, who has thrown simply 4 landing passes in opposition to eight interceptions. But Pickett is an correct thrower and has hardly been a catastrophe since taking on for Mitchell Trubisky. Wide receiver Diontae Johnson is his No. 1 possibility (61 catches on 105 targets, 561 yards) whereas rookie George Pickens (13.8 yards per catch) is his most dynamic. Tight finish Pat Freiermuth (50 catches on 76 targets) and working backs Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris are additionally key components to this passing assault.
The Ravens have allowed environment friendly passing performances the final two weeks from Trevor Lawrence of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Russell Wilson of the Broncos, in order that they’ll hope to get again on observe in opposition to Pickett. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey has returned to a Pro Bowl stage for the Ravens, who have been additionally completely happy to have rookie Kyle Hamilton at nickel again in opposition to the Broncos after a knee damage sidelined him in Week 12. The Broncos transformed on simply two of 12 third downs in opposition to the Ravens, who rank second general in third-down protection. They closed out drives regardless of producing comparatively little stress and giving up extra yards than they’d have preferred once they blitzed. Though exterior linebacker Justin Houston nonetheless leads the group with 9 sacks, defensive finish Calais Campbell (5 ½ sacks, 14 quarterback hits) has been the more practical move rusher in latest weeks. Starting safeties Chuck Clark and Geno Stone performed beneath their typical ranges in opposition to Wilson, and Stone may quickly cede his snaps to Marcus Williams, who’s on observe to return as early as this week. The Ravens hope he’ll convey turnovers with him.
EDGE: Ravens
Ravens working sport vs. Steelers run protection
We’re used to watching the Ravens sputter by the air, however their floor assault additionally stalled in opposition to Denver with Jackson out of the image. Huntley scrambled effectively at occasions and transformed an important fourth down on a designed run however has to show he could make these orchestrated carries work constantly. He averaged 6.3 yards per carry (together with a 72-yard efficiency in opposition to Pittsburgh) final season, so he has the power. Running again Gus Edwards has not regarded explosive — 64 yards on 22 carries — within the two video games since he returned from a hamstring damage. The Ravens turned to Kenyan Drake down the stretch in opposition to the Broncos, partly as a result of he’s extra of a risk as a receiver.
The Steelers have improved their run protection significantly after a disastrous efficiency this season. Heyward is all the time glorious on the inside, and he’s obtained reliable help from former Ravens defensive lineman Chris Wormley and from Highsmith on the sting. Linebacker Myles Jack is their main playmaker within the center. The Ravens rushed for 249 yards in opposition to the Steelers within the regular-season finale final 12 months, however Pittsburgh has not given up greater than 146 in any of its final 9 video games.
EDGE: Even
Steelers working sport vs. Ravens run protection
The Steelers have gone from one of many league’s worst working groups over the primary half of the season to probably the greatest during the last 4 weeks. Harris has rushed for 310 and three touchdowns throughout that extra profitable span, and Warren, not too long ago slowed by a hamstring damage, is an environment friendly various when wholesome. Pickett (42 carries, 209 yards, three touchdowns) can also be a risk if left unattended.
Pittsburgh will attempt to keep its roll in opposition to a Ravens run protection that hit one other stage after linebacker Roquan Smith arrived through commerce. Smith was one of the best defensive participant on the sector in opposition to Denver, and the Ravens haven’t allowed an opponent to hurry for greater than 88 yards with him within the lineup. They would miss Smith’s companion, Patrick Queen, if he’s sidelined by a thigh bruise suffered in opposition to the Broncos, however Queen was optimistic Wednesday that he’d be prepared for the the Steelers. Campbell and Broderick Washington have excelled upfront, and Hamilton provides the Ravens an extra thumper from the nickel spot when he’s within the sport.
EDGE: Ravens
Ravens particular groups vs. Steelers particular groups
The Ravens proceed to steer the league in special-teams DVOA, although returner Devin Duvernay has been off his typical All-Pro type in latest weeks. Justin Tucker has made 25 of 28 discipline purpose makes an attempt this season, with all of his misses from 56 yards or past. Jordan Stout has put 20 of his 43 punts contained in the opponent’s 20-yard line.
The Steelers rank twenty seventh in particular groups DVOA, although they combine actual strengths on punt protection and kickoff returns with deficiencies on kickoff protection and punt returns. Kicker Chris Boswell is predicted to play in opposition to the Ravens after coming off injured reserve. He made 12 of 16 discipline purpose makes an attempt earlier within the season.
EDGE: Ravens
Ravens intangibles vs. Steelers intangibles
The Ravens have been thrilled to flee with a win over the Broncos after they misplaced Jackson and couldn’t transfer the ball for 55 minutes. But they’re on shaky floor as they attempt to repair their offense whereas they await the return of their franchise quarterback. They appeared set to rampage by the second half of the season. Instead, they may discover themselves clinging to a playoff spot, with each week a take a look at of coach John Harbaugh’s resourcefulness.
The Steelers appeared headed for the worst season of coach Mike Tomlin’s profession, however he has them pointed again towards .500 with enhancements on protection and to their working sport. Tomlin all the time retains his group engaged, even with a playoff berth possible out of attain.
EDGE: Steelers
Prediction
This shapes up as a basic Ravens-Steelers brawl by which neither offense will thrive. The Ravens should shut down Pittsburgh’s working sport and drive a number of errors from rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett, as a result of they’re much less dynamic with Tyler Huntley enjoying instead of Lamar Jackson. But the Steelers’ defensive stars will carry the day. Steelers 17, Ravens 16
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Source: www.bostonherald.com