The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens are set to face off in a decisive game for the AFC North title, with both teams needing a win to advance into the playoffs. The Steelers previously defeated the Ravens in Week 14 at M&T Bank Stadium, but Baltimore has since gained momentum, especially with running back Derrick Henry’s recent performances.
Baltimore coach John Harbaugh discussed how injuries might affect the Steelers’ lineup: “You look at who’s in, and who’s out, for sure. Obviously, DK Metcalf, look at the trouble he gave us in the first game, so you factor it. You factor (Darnell) Washington, whether he can play or not, for sure, (Calvin) Austin, whether he can play or not, for sure. Those are big playmakers for those guys.
“But then you look at the other guys they have. (Kenneth) Gainwell is incredible. Their running backs are just, I think, top of the line running backs. Both those two guys are. Jaylen (Warren) is amazing, downhill, and they get him the ball in so many different ways. They do a great job of getting him the ball. They’ll run a progression-pass concept over here. Then, they’ll have, we call it an escort-type of a flare pass and really, it’s a run play if they dump it out there, and Aaron (Rodgers) does an incredible job of sorting all that stuff out… screens.
“They do a great job, and then you have the tight ends. They have two tight ends that are legitimate big-time pass-catching threats, so we have to deal with both those two guys. And then Jonnu (Smith), he’ll take it sweeps; he’ll get in the backfield and run it. He’ll take a pitch; he’ll do all that kind of stuff. He’ll be up on the edge blocking; and (Pat) Freiermuth really anywhere… Seam routes… option routes… seven routes to the corner… You have to be all over those routes with him.
“Then (Marquez) Valdes-Scantling; he’s a big target in fade and box fade… so he kind of fills that role for Metcalf to a degree…”
Tight end Mark Andrews reflected on playing against Pittsburgh: “It’s two teams that know each other incredibly well. Hard fought, physical, and very well coached. I think that obviously it’s one of the best rivalries in all of football…”
Harbaugh said about playing such an important regular season finale: “It’s really awesome… Nobody was disappointed that we’re playing Sunday night… We respect the Steelers…”
Andrews also addressed Baltimore’s past success running against Pittsburgh: “That’s a credit – obviously those are years past and every year is different… But the main thing for me is focusing on this year…”
Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey commented on motivation: “Honestly that’s great… this rivalry with the craziness that just happened … this is just honestly a dream…” He added about facing Aaron Rodgers: “…we were like ‘Aaron Rodgers turned clock back.’ …He really etched himself into rivalry well… He’s going to come out there … give his guys great opportunities … but we would definitely love to have his last memory be negative one…”
Harbaugh also mentioned what stuck out from another team’s approach against Pittsburgh: “…Their defense was up to it…. Played field-position game … All those things are going to be really important…. We’ll lean on different things schematically…”
On Steelers defender Derrick Harmon: “Well that would be for them to answer … I know he’s a really good player … I’ve watched him on tape now … he’s a factory; big strong athletic guy in there – right in mold of all guys they’ve had over years…”
Fans interested in following historic rivalries like this one can learn more about Pittsburgh’s football legacy through resources such as their Hall of Honor which recognizes figures like Terry Bradshaw and Joe Greene who contributed significantly to team history.
The Steelers’ six Super Bowl championships highlight their achievements as one of NFL’s most successful franchises.
Supporters can also visit Acrisure Stadium—the franchise’s headquarters—and explore historical exhibits at their museum, which offers interactive experiences related to team history.
The Pittsburgh Steelers remain committed members of both their local community—through celebrations involving fans—and professional football as part of the National Football League since their founding by Arthur J. Rooney Sr., dating back to 1933.
