Scouting the Ravens: Steelers opponent has struggled in the passing game

SCOUTING THE RAVENS

Last meeting

Ravens beat Steelers, 28-14, on Jan. 11, 2025, in Baltimore in the wild-card playoff round

Key matchup

Ravens RB Derrick Henry vs. Steelers ILB Malik Harrison

Harrison spent the first five seasons of his career with the Ravens as a run-stuffing linebacker, and the Steelers him gave a two-year, $10 million contract this spring just two months after Baltimore completed a two-game home “sweep” of the Steelers (regular season and playoffs) via a combined 519 rushing yards. Harrison is deployed in run-heavy situations.

Key injuries

The Steelers will be without defensive tackle Derrick Harmon (knee), safety Kyle Dugger (hand) and backup offensive tackle Calvin Anderson (knee) on Sunday. The Ravens ruled out outside linebacker Tavius Robinson (foot) and safety Ar’Darius Washington (Achilles). QB Lamar Jackson is expected to play after missing practice time during the week.

Series record

Steelers lead 36-27

Series notes

The Steelers had a four-game winning streak in Baltimore snapped late last year in a 34-17 defeat to the Ravens. Three weeks later, the Ravens again beat the Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium — this time, 28-14. … Interestingly, those two games of 14- and 17-point margins snapped a streak of eight games between the teams that were decided by one possession. The Steelers won seven of those eight. … Since the Ravens were born (via the roster of the old Cleveland Browns) in 1996, the 39 one-score games they have played against the Steelers are the most of the series of any two teams in that span. The Steelers are 24-15 in one-score games against Baltimore. … All-time, the Steelers and Ravens have split 30 games in Baltimore, with the Jan. 11 game the lone meeting to come in the postseason. … This is the fifth consecutive game between the Steelers and Ravens in Baltimore that has taken place in December or January. … None of the past 10 Steelers-Ravens games have featured both teams scoring at least 20 points. In seven of those 10, neither team eclipsed 19 points. … The teams will meet again in the regular season finale the first weekend in January.

Notable

The Ravens rank 28^th in the 32-team NFL in passing yards (180.5 per game) and 28^th in sack rate (9.7% of dropbacks). … In four November starts, Jackson had a piddling 69.7 passer rating and 56% completion percentage. … A two-time NFL MVP, Jackson is 3-4 (including playoffs) as a starter in his career against the Steelers. After starting against them only four times over his first seven NFL seasons, this will be Jackson’s fourth start against the Steelers over a span of 13 months. … The Steelers and Ravens are each coming off a loss. Since the 1970 AFL/NFL merger, the franchises rank first and second in the NFL in winning percentage during games in which each is coming off a loss — the Steelers have won 72.2% (127-49) and the Ravens 65.9% (70-36-1). … Steelers coach Mike Tomlin and his Baltimore counterpart John Harbaugh will meet for the 39^th time (including playoffs), the second-most meetings between two opposing head coaches in NFL history behind the Green Bay Packers’ Curly Lambeau and Chicago Bears’ George Halas (49 meetings). Tomlin is 21-17 against Harbaugh.

Fantasy tip

Only one team (the Dallas Cowboys) has given up more fantasy points to opposing offensive players this season than the Steelers. The Steelers allowed Week 13’s highest-gaining rusher (Buffalo’s James Cook), and Henry had 186 yards and two touchdowns against the Steelers in their January playoff meeting.