ExtremeRavens Posted November 15 Posted November 15 Here’s how The Baltimore Sun sports staff views the outcome of Sunday’s Week 11 game between the Ravens (7-3) and Steelers (7-2) at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh: Brian Wacker, reporter Ravens 23, Steelers 20: The Steelers have won seven of their past eight against Baltimore, though some of that should be taken with a grain of salt since Lamar Jackson didn’t play in about half of those games. He’s now playing the best football of his career in large part because of how careful he’s been with the ball, with just two interceptions this season and none in a month. Pittsburgh being without outside linebacker Alex Highsmith is also a blow to the pass rush. The Ravens’ bigger concern is on defense and Russell Wilson beating them deep, either on a key third down and/or a play late in the game, like Kenny Pickett did last season. But Jackson has been too good, and as stout as the Steelers’ run defense has been (fourth in the NFL allowing 87.1 yards per game), Jackson can beat them through the air then let Derrick Henry and Keaton Mitchell help seal it late. Childs Walker, reporter Steelers 27, Ravens 24: Pittsburgh has the defensive talent to pressure Lamar Jackson without blitzing. Russell Wilson’s downfield strikes to George Pickens feel like the perfect arrows to shoot at a shockingly vulnerable secondary. The Steelers have owned this series since 2019 despite the Ravens’ overall superiority, and they’ll go into Sunday believing they have the formula to continue their dominance. So much comes down to Jackson, who’s on the greatest passing roll of his career. Can he go off against the opponent that has troubled him more than any other? Not this time. Pittsburgh will limit him just enough, and Wilson will exploit the Ravens’ fatal flaws. Mike Preston, columnist Ravens 24, Steelers 21: I’m still not sure the Steelers are for real. They play good run defense, but I have concerns about them on the back end, especially cornerbacks Joey Porter Jr. and Donte Jackson. Pittsburgh is allowing 215.6 passing yards per game, which ranks 19th in the league. Offensively, quarterback Russell Wilson reminds me of Joe Flacco last season when he was with Cleveland. Flacco had no conscious and just threw the ball all over the field. Wilson will throw some toss-ups Sunday and he’ll hit on a couple with receiver George Pickens, but the Ravens have too many weapons for the Steelers. C.J. Doon, editor Ravens 27, Steelers 26: This one feels like a coin flip, which is a huge compliment to the Steelers given how well the Ravens are playing. To me, it comes down to which team can create more explosive plays. Russell Wilson has generated plenty of them with moonballs to George Pickens and Mike Williams, and Calvin Austin III is a threat to break loose. A poor Ravens secondary that’s now dealing with a limited Kyle Hamilton is vulnerable, to say the least. The Steelers clearly have the better defense, even without pass rusher Alex Highsmith, but the Ravens’ “pick your poison” offense is close to unstoppable. Lamar Jackson simply has more answers with Derrick Henry, Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and Mark Andrews all playing at a high level. If the Steelers can slow down this version of the Ravens’ offense and force Jackson into some mistakes, then they truly have his number. Tim Schwartz, editor Ravens 30, Steelers 23: The Ravens have not fared well against the Steelers in recent years, and there’s something about going to Pittsburgh. It’s the case for every team that makes the trek to Western Pennsylvania. The Steelers, no matter how talented, are always in it under Mike Tomlin. While they’ve had Baltimore’s number, Lamar Jackson is the best football player on the planet, and I don’t see Pittsburgh’s defense slowing him enough to win. On the other side of that coin, though, is Russell Wilson, who will have his chances against this woeful Ravens defense. Maybe I am naive, but I’m a believer. Baltimore’s defense, including its secondary, will get better, and it starts Sunday in the biggest game of the year for both teams. Bennett Conlin, editor Steelers 27, Ravens 24: Before the season started, I was certain the Ravens were the better team. I still think they are, but the margin is slimmer than I anticipated. Pro Football Focus actually gives the Steelers a better overall team grade than the undefeated Chiefs. Russell Wilson has played well at quarterback, averaging 8.7 yards per attempt and throwing six touchdown passes with one interception in three games since returning from a calf injury. The Steelers will stress Baltimore’s subpar secondary, and they have the only defense in the division good enough to slow down Jackson and the Ravens. Pittsburgh pulls the upset. View the full article Quote
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