Here’s how the Baltimore Sun sports team 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, journalist
Ravens 23, Steelers 20: The Steelers have won seven of their last eight games against Baltimore, although some of them 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, thanks in large part to being careful with the ball, with just two interceptions this season and none in a month. Pittsburgh being without outside linebacker Alex Highsmith is also a big blow to the pass rush. The Ravens’ biggest concern is defense and Russell Wilson beats them deep, either on a key third down and/or a late game play, like Kenny Pickett did last season. But Jackson has been too good, and as solid as the Steelers’ run defense is (fourth in the NFL allowing 87.1 yards per game), Jackson can beat them through the air and then let Derrick Henry and Keaton Mitchell help him. seal late.
Childs Walker, journalist
Steelers 27, Ravens 24: Pittsburgh has the defensive talent to pressure Lamar Jackson without blitzing. Russell Wilson’s strikes to George Pickens seem like the perfect arrows to shoot at an incredibly vulnerable secondary. The Steelers have owned this series since 2019 despite the Ravens’ overall superiority, and they will enter Sunday believing they have the formula to continue their dominance. A lot depends on Jackson, who is on the biggest passing list of his career. Can he face the opponent who has bothered 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 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 allows 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 awareness and simply threw the ball all over the field. Wilson will throw some throws Sunday and he’ll hit a few with wide receiver George Pickens, but the Ravens have too many weapons for the Steelers.
CJ Doon, editor
Ravens 27, Steelers 26: This one looks like a toss-up, which is a huge compliment to the Steelers given how well the Ravens are playing. For me, it’s about which team can create more explosive plays. Russell Wilson generated plenty with moonballs to George Pickens and Mike Williams, and Calvin Austin III is a threat to run wild. A poor Ravens secondary now dealing with a limited Kyle Hamilton is vulnerable, to say the least. The Steelers clearly have the better defense, even without passer Alex Highsmith, but the Ravens’ “pick your poison” offense is nearly 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 to make mistakes, then they definitely have his number.
Tim Schwartz, editor
Ravens 30, Steelers 23: The Ravens haven’t had good results against the Steelers in recent years, and there is something to be done in Pittsburgh. This is the case for all the teams that make the trip to western Pennsylvania. The Steelers, no matter how talented they are, are still going strong under Mike Tomlin. Although they have Baltimore’s number, Lamar Jackson is the best football player on the planet, and I don’t see Pittsburgh’s defense slowing him down enough to win. On the other side of the coin, however, is Russell Wilson, who will have his chances against this dismal Ravens defense. Maybe I’m naive, but I’m a believer. Baltimore’s defense, including its secondary, will improve, and that will start 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 so, but the margin is slimmer than expected. 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 emphasize Baltimore’s mediocre secondary, and they have the only defense in the division good enough to slow down Jackson and the Ravens. Pittsburgh springs a surprise.
