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Steelers vs Ravens: 3 key matchups to watch on Sunday

By Jobe Morrison

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 30: James Conner #30 of the Pittsburgh Steelers stiff arms Kenny Young #40 of the Baltimore Ravens as he carries the ball in the first half during the game at Heinz Field on September 30, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 30: James Conner #30 of the Pittsburgh Steelers stiff arms Kenny Young #40 of the Baltimore Ravens as he carries the ball in the first half during the game at Heinz Field on September 30, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
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It is rivalry week for the Steelers. The Ravens come into the Heinz Field riding a two-game losing streak to battle the Steelers coming off their best game of the season.

It was only a matter of time before the Steelers gave their fans something to cheer for. Sure, it was the lowly Bengals… but after hanging in there with two good teams in back to back weeks, they dominated a bad one. This wasn’t a struggle to win. It was brutal domination.

The defense had been playing well in the first halves in weeks two and three after being embarrassed on opening night. Unfortunately, the offense could not put together an adequate, complete three games and the defense suffered.

For the first time this season, the offense sustained drives, put points on the board, and kept their defense off the field (under 70 plays for the first time this season.)

This week, a big test comes rolling into town. A red hot Lamar Jackson leads the first ranked Ravens offense into his first start in Heinz Field. This is all despite a rough outing against Cleveland last week.

After starting their season with two wins, the Ravens saw their next two losses coming at a combined 20 points on the road in Kansas City and home against the Browns. Make no mistake, the Ravens are a lethal group that can strike consistently looking to rebound.

The Steelers offense will have a challenge against the Ravens defense despite Baltimore’s 27th ranking. The Ravens seem to always give the Steelers fits no matter what type of year the Steelers offense is having.

This Ravens defense lost multiple playmaking veterans this past year and replaced them with some fresh, unproven talent.

The Steelers come off of their best game of the season now with an opportunity to–if all the cards fall in place–tie for first place in the AFC North after a numbing start to the season.

With many factors on both sides of the ball to consider in this pivotal matchup, three key matchups will ultimately determine the Steelers’ fate against their hated rivals.

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