Preview: Ravens Look to Sweep Season Series Against Steelers
The Baltimore Ravens are set to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers for the second time this season, this time on Sunday night in primetime. The Ravens came away with a 16-14 victory over the Steelers in their first meeting. Running backs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards led the charge rushing for 186 yards, while the Ravens defense intercepted Steelers quarterback Mitch Trubisky three times to seal the victory. The Ravens have already clinched a playoff spot with their win over the Atlanta Falcons last Saturday, but are in a must win if they wish to keep their chanced of winning the AFC north alive heading into week 18.
Tyler Huntley who got his first start of the 2022 season against the Steelers will be under center again for the Ravens as Lamar Jackson continues to be sidelined with a knee injury. This will be Huntley’s third career start against the Steelers, equaling Lamar Jackson’s number of starts against the Steelers. Along with Jackson, cornerback Marcus Peters has been ruled out and will miss his second straight game with a calf injury he suffered against the Browns on December 17th. Defensive end Calais Campbell (knee) who was also injured against the Browns retuned to practice on Friday and is listed as questionable. Safety Geno Stone (hamstring) is also listed as questionable, while tight end Nick Boyle (illness) did not practice on Thursday or Friday, but is listed as questionable for Sunday.
The Steelers will be without defensive back Tre Norwood (hamstring) as he has already been ruled out for Sunday. While linebacker Myles Jack (groin) and defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi (toe) have been listed as questionable.
Tyler Huntley
Quarterback Tyler Huntley is set to make his fourth straight start for the aforementioned Lamar Jackson. Huntley hasn’t had had the best outings since becoming the starter as he has yet to throw for more then 150 yards in a game and has only throw one touchdown. In his first matchup against the Steelers Huntley has to miss the entire fourth quarter after suffering a concussion. Huntley has rushed 26 times in his previous three starts, and has taken some massive hits as he has struggled to give himself up or get out of bounds. In Huntley’s first meeting against the Steelers he threw for just 88 yards on 8-of-12 passing, no touchdowns and no interceptions. Huntley also added 31 yards on the ground on nine carries.
The Ravens at some point may need to look to the passing game as the Steelers game plan will be to stop the Ravens rushing attack that gouged them for over 200 yards in their first meeting. Huntley has a quick release and can sometimes fall victim to looking at his first read in his progression rather then letting the play develop. It unlikely the Ravens turn to undrafted rookie Anthony Brown, who took over for Huntley after his concussion, but if Huntley and the passing offense continues to struggle the fans at M&T Bank stadium Sunday night may be calling for a change.
T.J. Watt
Just one year removed from being names defensive player of the year after tying Michael Strahan’s single season sack record. Watt looked to build on his dominate 2021 season. But that was quickly derailed as Watt suffered a torn pec in week one. Watt was able to avoid surgery and retuned to the Steelers in week 10. While Watt’s numbers statistically are disappointing as he has three sacks and 26 tackles since his return. His presence alone along that defensive line is something opposing offenses have to take note of.
Watt’s ability to rush the passer but also stop the run has been a huge boost to the Steelers defense that ranks sixth in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game at just over 105. Watt had one sack and five total tackles in the first matchup against the Ravens, and its safe to say Watt along with the rest of the Steelers defense will look to stop the Ravens strong rushing attack this time around.
Prediction
The Ravens went back to their roots against the Steelers in their first meeting rushing for over 200 yards while holding the Steelers to just 65 yards on the ground and forcing three turnovers. While its unlikely for the Ravens to be as dominate as they were three weeks ago, the Ravens will undoubtedly have a run first mindset. With Huntley struggling to find his groove as the starter. The Ravens must once again lean on their defense and running game to make big plays, something that has lacked for much of the season in the Ravens passing game.
The Ravens failed to see much of rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett has he was knocked out of the game in the first meeting with a concussion, but Pickett is expected to be the starter over Trubisky on Sunday. Turnovers may be hard to come by for the Ravens defense as over the last six weeks Pickett has only thrown one interception. Expect Sunday to be your typical Ravens-Steelers matchup, with two young quarterbacks against two strong defenses it will come down to which team makes the least amount of mistakes, and controls time of possession. The Ravens defense has been playing lights out since acquiring Roquan Smith from the Bears. That along with the Ravens ability to run the ball at will week in and week out will give them the edge for the second time this season over the Steelers. Ravens win 13-10.
Line: Baltimore -2.0
Over/Under: 35
All-Time Record: Pittsburgh leads series 32-25
Last Meeting: 12/11/2022 Baltimore 16-14
