|
|
BAL |
PIT |
Ravens-Steelers Preview
PITTSBURGH (AP) The rivalry between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens is filled with "villains on both sides" as Mike Tomlin put it.
Lamar Jackson is still waiting for his chance to become one.
Seven years into his career, the Ravens quarterback has more NFL MVP awards (two) than he does victories over the Steelers. Jackson takes a 1-3 mark as a starter against Pittsburgh into Sunday's showdown at Acrisure Stadium.
Asked if the lack of success - and in some ways, opportunity due to happenstance - in one of the NFL's most heated series bothers him, Jackson nodded.
“Yes, definitely,” he said. “But I get a chance to go up against them this year, so I’m good, right now.”
Actually, Jackson might be better than that.
The 27-year-old leads the NFL in quarterback rating and touchdown passes while masterfully running the league's most potent offense. Jackson appears to be at the height of his considerable powers, one of the reasons Tomlin, the league's longest-tenured head coach, has referred to him as “Mr. Jackson” repeatedly this week.
“He's a challenge,” Tomlin said. “He's a challenge in all circumstances.”
Except, it seems, when the Steelers (7-2) are on the other side of the field. Pittsburgh has largely succeeded where so many others have failed.
Jackson's next rushing touchdown against Pittsburgh will be his first. He has managed just four scoring passes while getting picked off seven times, though veteran defensive tackle Cam Heyward isn't sure his team has developed a cheat code for a player who in many ways is the football equivalent of one.
“It’s not like he’s not dicing us up,” Heyward said. “You know, he’s a heck of a talent that you try to bottle up, but you never can.”
Jackson and the Ravens (7-3) are in many ways due for a breakout, or whatever passes for one when facing the NFL's second-ranked scoring defense. If it comes to that, Pittsburgh believes it has the pieces in place to keep up, a marked shift from recent years when every first down let alone touchdown felt like a struggle.
The Steelers have hit another gear since Russell Wilson returned from a calf injury last month. Pittsburgh is undefeated in his three starts, with the offense averaging 30 points a game.
“I think that we can definitely score points and we can do some special things,” Wilson said.
The nine-time Pro Bowler offered a glimpse late in last week's 28-27 victory against Washington when Wilson pulled aside newly acquired wide receiver Mike Williams in Pittsburgh's penultimate drive and quite literally drew up a route in the dirt that led to Williams hauling in a patented Wilson “moonball” for the go-ahead touchdown.
Standing a few yards in front of Wilson watching Williams make his first catch with the Steelers, rookie center Zach Frazier couldn't help but think of the possibilities that may lie ahead.
“That play alone was special,” Frazier said. “Being able to come back in close games like that, it's cool. I think we're on the right track.”
One Jackson and the Ravens are only too eager to derail. And so it goes in the AFC North.
“It’s always the same goal; we want to win,” Jackson said. "We want to be the ones that come out victorious, and that’s going to be the goal going into this game.”
The Ravens landed wide receiver Diontae Johnson last month in a deal with Carolina. Johnson has caught only one pass in two games with Baltimore, but now the Ravens face Pittsburgh. Johnson spent his first five seasons with the Steelers from 2019-23.
“Just being back in that stadium, where it all started, it’s going to be different,” Johnson said. "I actually have never been in the away locker room (in Pittsburgh), so that’s going to be different for me, but I’m ready to get back there, just to see the good people that I made relationships with. But other than that, it’s a big moment for me.”
Tomlin, by contrast, said he hadn't put much thought into Johnson's return.
“They got more significant pieces with larger roles that are occupying my attention at this part of the week,” he said.
Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen spent his first four seasons with the Ravens before signing a three-year deal with Pittsburgh last spring. Queen acknowledged this week that Baltimore's decision to let him walk in free agency bothered him for months, though he stressed he's at peace with it now.
While he remains close with many of his former teammates - Jackson included - Queen said he's looking forward to the opportunity to do something he wasn't allowed to in Baltimore: take Jackson to the ground.
Though Queen is still looking for his first sack in Pittsburgh, he's starting to regularly deliver the kind of splash plays that led the Steelers to spend $41 million for his services.
“He realizes what we brought him here to do,” Tomlin said. “And he’s embraced that in terms of being a leader and hub of communication. I’ve no issue with that. I just think that over time, it’s reasonable to expect him to play faster, to see his talent show up more consistently.”
The Ravens have scored touchdowns on 33 of their 43 red zone chances - their 76.7% success rate is No. 1 in the league. Derrick Henry is obviously a big reason for Baltimore's productivity. He has scored in all 10 games this season, with 14 TDs.
Henry is the fifth player since 1970 - joining O.J. Simpson, Jerry Rice, John Riggins and Todd Gurley - to score touchdowns in 10 straight games to start a season.
---
AP Sports Writer Noah Trister in Baltimore contributed to this report.
---
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Copyright 2024 STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
L. Jackson
8 QB
297 FPTS
|
L. Jackson | 199/288 | 2669 | 24 | 2 | 297 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Johnson
17 QB
0 FPTS
|
J. Johnson | 1/1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
D. Henry
22 RB
208 FPTS
|
D. Henry | 184 | 1120 | 12 | 87 | 208 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. Jackson
8 QB
297 FPTS
|
L. Jackson | 91 | 538 | 2 | 33 | 297 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Hill
43 RB
71 FPTS
|
J. Hill | 34 | 117 | 0 | 17 | 71 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Z. Flowers
4 WR
136 FPTS
|
Z. Flowers | 6 | 47 | 0 | 19 | 136 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Johnson
17 QB
0 FPTS
|
J. Johnson | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Kolar
88 TE
24 FPTS
|
C. Kolar | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 24 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Linderbaum
64 C
|
T. Linderbaum | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
P. Ricard
42 FB
7 FPTS
|
P. Ricard | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
Z. Flowers
4 WR
136 FPTS
|
Z. Flowers | 73 | 50 | 688 | 3 | 53 | 136 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
R. Bateman
7 WR
101 FPTS
|
R. Bateman | 47 | 31 | 501 | 4 | 59 | 101 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Andrews
89 TE
92 FPTS
|
M. Andrews | 36 | 30 | 357 | 5 | 38 | 92 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Hill
43 RB
71 FPTS
|
J. Hill | 30 | 27 | 272 | 2 | 24 | 71 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
I. Likely
80 TE
65 FPTS
|
I. Likely | 34 | 24 | 271 | 3 | 49 | 65 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
N. Agholor
15 WR
41 FPTS
|
N. Agholor | 25 | 13 | 205 | 2 | 56 | 41 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Wallace
16 WR
25 FPTS
|
T. Wallace | 5 | 5 | 146 | 1 | 84 | 25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Kolar
88 TE
24 FPTS
|
C. Kolar | 10 | 8 | 125 | 1 | 55 | 24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Henry
22 RB
208 FPTS
|
D. Henry | 12 | 10 | 96 | 2 | 27 | 208 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Johnson
18 WR
81 FPTS
|
D. Johnson | 2 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 81 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
P. Ricard
42 FB
7 FPTS
|
P. Ricard | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 7 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
R. Smith
0 ILB
|
R. Smith | 53-44 | 0.0 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Hamilton
14 SAF
|
K. Hamilton | 50-21 | 2.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Stephens
21 CB
|
B. Stephens | 40-7 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Humphrey
44 CB
|
M. Humphrey | 33-6 | 0.0 | 4 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Simpson
23 LB
|
T. Simpson | 32-26 | 1.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Williams
32 FS
|
M. Williams | 26-7 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Washington
29 SAF
|
A. Washington | 18-5 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. Jackson
39 FS
|
E. Jackson | 18-12 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
O. Oweh
99 LB
|
O. Oweh | 16-9 | 4.5 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Van Noy
53 MLB
|
K. Van Noy | 16-7 | 7.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Jones
98 DT
|
T. Jones | 14-8 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. Madubuike
92 DT
|
N. Madubuike | 13-8 | 5.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. Wiggins
2 CB
|
N. Wiggins | 8-5 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Urban
97 DE
|
B. Urban | 7-5 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Robinson
95 LB
|
T. Robinson | 7-9 | 3.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Pierce
58 DT
|
M. Pierce | 5-10 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Harrison
40 LB
|
M. Harrison | 5-10 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Maulet
10 CB
|
A. Maulet | 4-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Armour-Davis
5 CB
|
J. Armour-Davis | 4-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Washington
96 DT
|
B. Washington | 3-7 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Ojabo
90 LB
|
D. Ojabo | 3-2 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Tupou
69 DT
|
J. Tupou | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Wormley
93 DE
|
C. Wormley | 1-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Isaac
50 LB
|
A. Isaac | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Tampa
27 CB
|
T. Tampa | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. Kane
28 SAF
|
S. Kane | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
J. Tucker
9 K
86 FPTS
|
J. Tucker | 15/19 | 56 | 37/38 | 82 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
J. Fields
2 QB
116 FPTS
|
J. Fields | 106/160 | 1106 | 5 | 1 | 116 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
R. Wilson
3 QB
66 FPTS
|
R. Wilson | 50/85 | 737 | 6 | 1 | 66 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
K. Allen
4 QB
0 FPTS
|
K. Allen | 1/1 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Killebrew
28 DB
0 FPTS
|
M. Killebrew | 0/1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
N. Harris
22 RB
107 FPTS
|
N. Harris | 157 | 645 | 3 | 36 | 107 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Fields
2 QB
116 FPTS
|
J. Fields | 55 | 231 | 5 | 18 | 116 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Warren
30 RB
37 FPTS
|
J. Warren | 55 | 217 | 0 | 18 | 37 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Patterson
84 RB
16 FPTS
|
C. Patterson | 19 | 106 | 0 | 14 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Ward
35 RB
1 FPTS
|
J. Ward | 5 | 22 | 0 | 7 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Shampklin
33 RB
1 FPTS
|
A. Shampklin | 6 | 17 | 0 | 5 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. Wilson
3 QB
66 FPTS
|
R. Wilson | 10 | 13 | 1 | 6 | 66 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. Pickens
14 WR
110 FPTS
|
G. Pickens | 2 | -6 | 0 | 4 | 110 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
G. Pickens
14 WR
110 FPTS
|
G. Pickens | 65 | 40 | 639 | 2 | 44 | 110 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
P. Freiermuth
88 TE
68 FPTS
|
P. Freiermuth | 34 | 29 | 281 | 3 | 30 | 68 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Austin III
19 WR
51 FPTS
|
C. Austin III | 31 | 16 | 277 | 2 | 55 | 51 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
N. Harris
22 RB
107 FPTS
|
N. Harris | 24 | 17 | 152 | 0 | 32 | 107 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
V. Jefferson
11 WR
32 FPTS
|
V. Jefferson | 23 | 14 | 139 | 1 | 36 | 32 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Washington
80 TE
26 FPTS
|
D. Washington | 15 | 12 | 126 | 1 | 29 | 26 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Warren
30 RB
37 FPTS
|
J. Warren | 16 | 14 | 96 | 0 | 26 | 37 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Patterson
84 RB
16 FPTS
|
C. Patterson | 7 | 5 | 34 | 0 | 14 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Williams
18 WR
35 FPTS
|
M. Williams | 1 | 1 | 32 | 1 | 32 | 35 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
S. Miller
13 WR
5 FPTS
|
S. Miller | 4 | 2 | 31 | 0 | 20 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Heyward
83 TE
12 FPTS
|
C. Heyward | 6 | 4 | 29 | 1 | 16 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Pruitt
81 TE
3 FPTS
|
M. Pruitt | 4 | 2 | 19 | 0 | 10 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
B. Johnson
89 WR
1 FPTS
|
B. Johnson | 1 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Pierre
29 CB
0 FPTS
|
J. Pierre | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Z. Frazier
54 C
|
Z. Frazier | 0 | 0 | -2 | 0 | -2 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
D. Elliott
25 DB
|
D. Elliott | 43-21 | 0.0 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Fitzpatrick
39 FS
|
M. Fitzpatrick | 38-13 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. Queen
6 LB
|
P. Queen | 33-29 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Porter Jr.
24 CB
|
J. Porter Jr. | 27-11 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Watt
90 OLB
|
T. Watt | 24-9 | 6.5 | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. Wilson
41 LB
|
P. Wilson | 24-14 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Heyward
97 DT
|
C. Heyward | 20-15 | 5.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Bishop Jr.
31 CB
|
B. Bishop Jr. | 18-7 | 0.5 | 3 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Jackson
26 CB
|
D. Jackson | 17-9 | 0.0 | 3 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. Roberts
50 OLB
|
E. Roberts | 17-8 | 1.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. Ogunjobi
99 DT
|
L. Ogunjobi | 12-13 | 1.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Highsmith
56 LB
|
A. Highsmith | 11-8 | 3.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Benton
95 DT
|
K. Benton | 10-7 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Kazee
23 S
|
D. Kazee | 8-2 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
I. Loudermilk
92 DE
|
I. Loudermilk | 6-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. Herbig
51 LB
|
N. Herbig | 6-2 | 2.5 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Adams
57 DT
|
M. Adams | 5-3 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Pierre
29 CB
|
J. Pierre | 4-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. Smith
91 DE
|
P. Smith | 3-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Trice
27 CB
|
C. Trice | 2-0 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. Leota
46 LB
|
E. Leota | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Moon
49 LB
|
J. Moon | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Lowry
94 DE
|
D. Lowry | 0-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Leal
98 DE
|
D. Leal | 0-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
C. Boswell
9 K
101 FPTS
|
C. Boswell | 23/24 | 57 | 20/20 | 89 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |