Week 11 is here and with it the start of the AFC North schedule for the Pittsburgh Steelers. As luck would have it, the Steelers’ open division will play with a showdown for first place when they host the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. Pittsburgh certainly has confidence with seven wins in the last eight meetings with Baltimore. The Ravens (7-3) are 2-1 against their AFC North opponents and look to topple Pittsburgh (7-2). Steelers coach Mike Tomlin isn’t at all concerned about a schedule that has the Steelers facing four straight division opponents and six of eight against the AFC North to finish the regular season. “I don’t care,” Tomlin said Wednesday. “I will face them whenever they schedule us. We have no control over the schedule. Our goal is to beat everyone, but specifically from week to week we focus individually on that week’s opponent, and so I would if I told you that I care about the schedule of meeting people, that’s not the case After the brawl with the Ravens, Pittsburgh hits the road to face the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals before. to host the Browns The Steelers have. has thrived regardless of opponent in recent weeks, winning four straight games and averaging 30.8 points over that span Russell Wilson has started the last three wins, including a 28-27 road win. against the Washington Commanders last week. Baltimore swept two shootouts against the Bengals – including a 35-34 home win last week – and lost to the Browns. While some have pointed to a “soft” schedule as fuel for the Steelers’ fast start, Baltimore started the season with losses to the Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders. The Ravens have won seven of their last eight games with a red-hot offense scoring 28 or more points in all but one game while averaging 34.4 during that stretch. Baltimore, led by Lamar Jackson, leads the NFL in scoring offense (31.8 points per game) and total offense (440.2 yards per game). The Steelers are second in scoring defense (16.2). Pittsburgh linebacker Patrick Queen spent the previous four seasons as Jackson’s teammate. Now he must find a way to slow it down. “He wants to win,” Queen said of Jackson. “He will do whatever it takes to win, and he knows what it takes. So, from my point of view, going against him, being able to not attack him in training, finally having a chance to compete against him, it should be fun. “He’s just a great competitor, he’s a great athlete. He can do whatever he wants on the pitch, as we all know. So for me, it’s just going against the best. “There’s one mark Jackson doesn’t like very much: He’s 1-3 all-time as a starting quarterback against the Steelers. Jackson is very motivated to turn things around.” It’s new year, I can’t wait to play,” Jackson said. “I’m just focused right now, having fun. I hate everyone in the league – well, every team in the league – when I play them. » While the Ravens introduce Derrick Henry to the division rivalry, this will be the first time the Steelers deploy Wilson at quarterback. against Baltimore. Henry leads the NFL in rushing yards (1,120), rushing touchdowns (12) and yards per carry (6.09). Pittsburgh acquired Wilson after he was released by the Denver Broncos during the offseason. offense. “Russ brings a lot to the table, he plays the way he plays,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said of Wilson. “We are preparing to play our best defensive game on Sunday.” Ravens star safety Kyle Hamilton (ankle) missed Wednesday’s practice to be confirmed. Outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy (illness) also missed the session. Steelers standout linebacker Alex Highsmith (ankle) was injured against the Commanders and is ruled out for the week. 11. Running back Najee Harris (ankle), receiver Van Jefferson (quadriceps), tight end MyCole Pruitt (knee) and cornerback Donte Jackson (hamstring) were also out Wednesday for Pittsburgh – Field Level Media .
