Football
It’s AFC North championship week, as Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin called it Tuesday.
It all comes down to this: Steelers vs. Ravens, on the North Shore, Sunday Night Football. The Steelers could have made this game irrelevant with a win over the Cleveland Browns, but they were unable to take care of business one day after the Ravens kept their season alive with a dominant win in Green Bay.
Now, the rollercoaster season for both teams comes down to one game at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday Night Football in a historic rivalry.
Following what we did last year here at Steelers Depot, myself, Joe Clark, Ross McCorkle, Scott Brown, Troy Montgomery, Jake Brockhoff, and Dr. Melanie Friedlander will answer four key questions weekly, previewing the games.
Let’s talk about the Steelers’ Week 18 Sunday Night Football matchup at Acrisure Stadium against the Baltimore Ravens for the AFC North title.
QUESTION 1: WHO IS THE STEELERS’ X FACTOR AGAINST THE RAVENS?
Josh Carney: TE Pat Freiermuth. The Steelers will once again be without WR DK Metcalf, and after struggling against the Browns in Week 17 in the passing game, the Steelers need to look Freiermuth’s way more. Freiermuth had just three receptions for 63 yards and made a pair of plays late with the game on the line. The Steelers need to utilize him way more this week against the Ravens. Treat him like a No. 1 WR option. Force feed him, regardless of man or zone coverages.
Joe Clark: RB Kenneth Gainwell. With DK Metcalf out, Gainwell’s role needs to be bigger than it was against the Browns. He had just four targets, and while that’s because a lot of his job was to chip Myles Garrett. While he’ll still have a role as a blocker against Baltimore, he’s going to be relied upon more as a pass catcher and potentially as a runner, and a good game from Gainwell can help jump start a stagnant offense.
Ross McCorkle: WR Adam Thielen. The Marquez Valdes-Scantling plan didn’t go so well last week. Maybe Thielen can provide more of a spark if they feature him more.
Scott Brown: NT Keeanu Benton. Stopping the seemingly unstoppable Derrick Henry (full disclosure: I once thought he would be some plodding Bama back like…Najee Harris) starts up front. And that starts with Benton. He has alternately been promising in his third NFL season — and the Deep Throat-esque leak that threatens to bring down the Steelers’ defense. They need the best version of Benton Sunday night.
Troy Montgomery: CB Joey Porter Jr. Stopping the run should be the Steelers’ first priority against the Ravens. However, Baltimore will have to throw the ball at some point. Porter has shown up in big moments against the Ravens before. Having him make another big play this week could help propel the Steelers to an AFC North title.
Jake Brockhoff: QB Aaron Rodgers. He has to be on his game come Sunday night, as these are the moments he was brought in for. The Steelers wanted a veteran quarterback who’s been there and done that, and Rodgers will have to prove them right this week. No matter how well the Steelers run the ball, he’s going to have to make some big throws, even without DK Metcalf or Darnell Washington. In potentially his last NFL game, it’s going to need to be a good performance from Rodgers.
Dr. Melanie Friedlander: TE Pat Freiermuth. Without WR DK Metcalf and TE Darnell Washington, Aaron Rodgers will be missing two big targets that can break plays and move the chains on third down. Freiermuth needs to be a part of the offensive game plan. We were reminded how effective he can be on the final drive of the game last week, as the Steelers marched down the field. And we saw how other receivers can struggle to get separation and create space in the middle of the field.
QUESTION 2: WHAT IS THE MATCHUP TO WATCH IN STEELERS-RAVENS?
Josh Carney: Steelers ILBs vs. Ravens RB Derrick Henry. It all comes down to this. Henry is coming off of a dominant showing against the Packers, carrying the ball 36 times for 216 yards and four touchdowns. The Steelers held Henry to just 95 yards on 24 carries. It was better, but will it be enough this week? The Steelers have a Ravens problem and set out to fix it this offseason. Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson and Malik Harrison have to have a big day.
Joe Clark: Ravens WR Zay Flowers vs. Steelers’ secondary. Assuming that Lamar Jackson’s back injury limits his mobility a little bit, when he drops back, he’s going to be looking to throw more than usual. Flowers is his favorite target, and not allowing him to make plays downfield is going to be essential. Whether it’s Brandin Echols or Joey Porter Jr. on Flowers, not letting him have a big game is a must if the Steelers want to win.
Ross McCorkle: Steelers DT Derrick Harmon vs. Ravens OG Daniel Faalele. Faalele is the weak link on that OL. He’s a massive human being, but he doesn’t play with good pad level or leverage and is prone to losing his feet. Harmon has been effective at taking advantage of that in much better linemen lately. Harmon wasn’t around last Ravens matchup, but creating a mess in the B-gap could go a long way towards slowing down Derrick Henry this time.
Scott Brown: Steelers OC Arthur Smith vs. Ravens DC Zach Orr. The Ravens unsuccessfully dared the Steelers to beat them deep in Week 14. They should do the same in the rematch since DK Metcalf, who torched the Ravens on Dec. 7, can’t hurt them from the suspended list. Smith has to solve whatever Orr and the Ravens throw at the Steelers’ offense with a mishmash at wide receiver and without his best tight end.
Troy Montgomery: Steelers WR Calvin Austin III vs. Ravens Secondary. The Steelers’ receiving corps wasn’t good enough last week. While DK Metcalf is still out, Austin should be back. He’s not Metcalf, but he at least provides an upgrade over what the Steelers had at wide receiver last week. The Ravens’ pass defense is one of their biggest weaknesses. Austin should have opportunities to stretch the field this week.
Jake Brockhoff: Steelers linebackers/safeties vs. Ravens tight ends. The Steelers are very familiar with Isaiah Likely and Mark Andrews, and that has to work to their advantage this week. Aside from Zay Flowers, there isn’t a standout threat the Ravens have at receiver. But both of their tight ends can make plays down the field, especially working in play action due to the threat of Henry. Likely himself nearly caught a game-winning touchdown back in Week 14 before Joey Porter Jr. knocked it out. The Steelers must defend these two well to help limit Baltimore’s passing attack.
Dr. Melanie Friedlander: Ravens RB Derrick Henry vs. the Steelers defensive line. We know the formula for beating the Ravens: stop Derrick Henry from getting to the second level. Once the big, bruising running back gets past the line of scrimmage, he can build a head of steam that is hard to handle. The defensive linemen and inside linebackers have had equally good and bad performances against Henry. However this battle goes, so will the game.
QUESTION 3: WHAT IS THE BIGGEST KEY TO THE GAME FOR THE STEELERS?
Josh Carney: Have that aggressive posture once again. Mike Tomlin talked about it after the Week 14 win, and now the Steelers have to have that aggressive posture on both sides of the football Sunday night. Yes, it’s winner-take-all and you don’t want to beat yourselves, but be aggressive offensively and defensively with play-calling and decision-making. Leave it all on the line. It’s a playoff game.
Joe Clark: Be explosive. The Steelers had their best offensive game when it came to pushing the ball downfield their first time out against Baltimore. It makes it a lot harder without DK Metcalf, but the Steelers have speed at the position and can still create explosive and double-explosive plays. If the Steelers are going to win, they’re going to need at least one major explosive to jumpstart the offense.
Ross McCorkle: Limit explosive plays. I am pretty confident the Steelers’ defense can keep the score manageable if they don’t allow random free yards like they did against Shedeur Sanders last week. The return of Brandin Echols and hopefully James Pierre should help.
Scott Brown: Keeping the final score in the teens. It’s hard to see the Steelers putting up a lot of points without short fields or even scores courtesy of special teams and/or defense. Aren’t Mike Tomlin teams built to win 17-10 games? It won’t bode well for the Steelers if the Ravens have three touchdowns before “Renegade” is played at Acrisure Stadium.
Troy Montgomery: Play like the AFC North title is on the line. The Steelers could’ve wrapped up the division race last week. However, they came out flat against the Cleveland Browns. That can’t happen again this week. The Ravens bullied the Steelers to end their season last year. Don’t let history repeat itself.
Jake Brockhoff: Run the ball well. We know how well the Ravens can run the ball, but the Steelers need to do the same. With no Metcalf or Washington, getting things going on the ground might be the only way to open up the pass game down the field. A strong run game also takes time off the clock, and keeps the ball out of the hands of Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson. It would be a massive help for the Steelers on Sunday night.
Dr. Melanie Friedlander: Dominate the line of scrimmage. On both offense and defense, the Steelers will face an equal challenge. The Steelers need to be physical on every snap and enforce their will. It goes without saying that if the Ravens offensive line and RB Derrick Henry get rolling, it will be a very long day in Pittsburgh. The same can be said if Rodgers is under pressure too often.
QUESTION 4: WHAT IS YOUR PREDICTION FOR RAVENS AT STEELERS?
Josh Carney: It’s win or go home for both teams. The Ravens appear to be a bit healthier on paper, and they are riding high after a thrilling win in Green Bay to keep their season alive. The Steelers have to shake off a terrible loss, and need to do so without DK Metcalf. Aaron Rodgers was built for these types of matchups, but I just don’t feel all that great about it overall. Ravens 23, Steelers 22
Joe Clark: I don’t know what to make of this Steelers team, but they were able to do it once against the Ravens, so why not again at home? The offense will find a way to be better after last week’s atrocity and the defense hangs on for the win. Steelers 24, Ravens 20
Ross McCorkle: I can’t bring myself to trust this team again. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me four or five times, that’s on me. Lamar Jackson’s week of rest and Derrick Henry’s hot streak spells trouble. Ravens 20, Steelers 17.
Scott Brown: Can’t figure out this Steelers team so why try now? Everything seems to be pointing to a Ravens win. Naturally it will be a hat and T-shirt game for the home team…Steelers 16, Ravens 13
Troy Montgomery: The Steelers have squandered opportunity after opportunity this season. Now, all that’s caught up to them. However, I think they’ll finally put the last nail in the Ravens’ coffin. Derrick Henry is a problem, but the Steelers added players to help slow him down after last year’s disaster in the playoffs. Steelers 20, Ravens 18
Jake Brockhoff: It’s more than reasonable to worry about the Steelers in this game considering the bodies they’re missing. But the Steelers are no stranger to winning games that, on paper, they probably shouldn’t. Pittsburgh controlled most of the game back in Week 14 in Baltimore, and is definitely capable of winning this game. Even though they’re heavily doubted, that’s when the Steelers have been at their best this year. That trend continues in a close Steelers win. Steelers 17, Ravens 16
Dr. Melanie Friedlander: I have gone back and forth so many times on this one. These two AFC North rivals both enter this game with the same desperate need to win and the same confidence that they can get the job done. I wish I shared that confidence. My head says the Ravens will win this and my heart argues that this is exactly the type of game that Mike Tomlin and his players pull out a victory. My gut says they find a way. Steelers 17, Ravens 16
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