The Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4) and the Baltimore Ravens (9-5) will squabble up for the second time this season, but this time the division title is on the line. Win and the Steelers are AFC North champions and will host a home game in the playoffs. Lose and the Ravens are still alive for the division crown. I spoke with Kyle Phoenix of Baltimore Beatdown to preview the matchup.
You can read my questions and his answers below:
It's unrecognizable who they become against the Steelers. Which, I believe is a credit to their opponent. Often, the Steelers harass offenses and knock them off-scheme or from their usual strengths. The combination of Steelers' coaching and their players are a testament to their record and performance. I know the jokes of Tomlin magic and the like, but I see it more as teams get rocked with a punch and their focus shifts. Like Mike Tyson said, "everybody has a plan until they get punched for the first time."
Unfortunately, this isn't the first time the Ravens have been punched by the Steelers first. And each time, they don't settle in and get back into the pocket. They step back and lose composure, which spawns in various forms. Lack of discipline, playcalling, performance, all of it. It's bizarre.
Ravens fans are certainly excited, but anxious. The Steelers have bested Baltimore so frequently of late that it's hard to feel confident in this matchup. I'm unsure if this would be some big significant inflection point. It certainly could be. Exorcising their demons, staving off the Steelers from celebrating an AFC North division title at M&T Bank Stadium would be painful. So, fans are amped for this one. But, the nostalgia for the rivalry is hard to topple. Both teams boasted so many legends of the game. And while these units have new-age excitement, it's hard to ever get back the feel and excitement when compared to the memories.
Statistically: Lamar Jackson has a higher completion percentage, quarterback rating, more pass yards, yards per attempt, more rush yards, touchdowns and fewer interceptions. This season, he has the fourth-best single-season quarterback rating in history, behind only Aaron Rodgers (2011, 2020) and Peyton Manning (2004).
The Ravens haven't solely beat up on poor teams. The Bills have a +6 point differential against teams above .500. The Ravens have a +66. Against teams under .500, the Bills have a +129 point differential. They're clobbering bad teams.
And if we're doing the head-to-head discussion, the Ravens blew out the Bills 35-10 in Week 4, where Jackson threw for 56 yards and two touchdowns (and lost a fumble) while Allen threw for 180 yards and lost a fumble.
I believe it has more to do with their defensive performance than their opponents, but to say it's solely their own doing wouldn't be fair. The Ravens solved many of their issues by benching Marcus Williams in favor of Ar'Darius Washington. This, along with keeping safety Kyle Hamilton has eliminated the explosive plays they routinely allowed with Williams, and the now-released Eddie Jackson on the back end.
I think another reason to credit their adjustment is first-year Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr. There's a growing and learning curve being a first-time coordinator and play caller. We saw it with Mike Macdonald and he eventually solved his errors. It just took longer for Orr, and the fall-off of Williams was entirely unexpected.