Time is quickly running out for the Pittsburgh Steelers this season. They sit at a crucial moment for their franchise, as their continued toxic ways will see many people in that building lose their jobs. Mike Tomlin's back is against the wall for the first time as head coach, and many of his star players are struggling. It's time to put up or shut up, and Pittsburgh just wants what's best for the team.
In theory, the winner of this game won't secure the division, but they will sit in a good spot to get the crown. Both teams have their own issues to deal with, and the Steelers appear to be struggling more. With the AFC North division nearly on the line, many will want to see how this battle plays out. The Steelers' offense has been nearly nonexistent in recent weeks, and their defense is porous.
Lamar Jackson has been banged up for most of the season, and his ability to run the ball effectively could be affected in this game.
Pittsburgh must contain Derrick Henry and establish a clear offensive identity. Regardless of which version of the Ravens’ rushing attack shows up, the Steelers have been inconsistent against the run. This matchup is truly a toss-up as both teams head into a brutal AFC North divisional slugfest.
Pittsburgh Steelers' Week 14 Still Curtain predictions provide a season-ending knockout
"The Pittsburgh Steelers aren't a good team in 2025—there's no getting around it. But when up against the ropes, they find a way to pull out games with huge implications on the line. Not only would the Steelers' playoff odds plummet if they lost this week, but Mike Tomlin's precious non-losing season streak would be in jeopardy. It helps that the Ravens aren't very good either." - Tommy Jaggi (Steelers 23-20)
"This has a typical Steelers get-back game written all over it. Backs to the wall and in a do-or-die situation against a division rival, this feels like a time to get your head on straight and get back on track. However, this isn't your usual Steelers team. The offense is stagnant, Aaron Rodgers is playing ugly football, and the defense has been horrible week in and week out. Adam Thielen doesn't change any of this. Baltimore is coming off a mini bye week and a loss to the Bengals. They will play fresher and meaner than the Steelers will." - Andrew Falce (Ravens 21-16)
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"The Pittsburgh Steelers are at the point where they have to earn the benefit of the doubt. Baltimore may have struggled with turning the ball over last week against the Bengals, but they also saw what the Bills did on the ground against this Steelers defense. Pittsburgh didn't have answers for Derrick Henry the last time they saw him, and after last week, there isn't much confidence they will this time around either." - Jacob Harrison (Ravens 23-10)
Final prediction goes with Raven's having just enough success on offense
Final Prediction: Steelers 19, Ravens 22
This game will reveal how much control Tomlin still has over the locker room. If the team comes out flat and loses against a Ravens team that is just as terrible, it might be over. Many of Tomlin’s teams have faced significant adversity since he took over, and most have responded well.
If they fail to win this game, it seems like the Steelers and Tomlin might've finally hit their expiration date.
A lot has been said about both clubs going into this rivalry game, but it's hard to bet against Baltimore. Even if Jackson isn’t fully healthy, the Ravens still have Henry, who can take over a game on his own. After the Steelers allowed the Buffalo Bills to run all over them last week, it's hard to imagine them faring well.
There seems to be little hope on the horizon for either club going into this matchup.
In the end, it’s difficult to pick against Jackson and Henry, regardless of their health status. They should be able to generate enough plays to put points on the board, and Pittsburgh’s defense is unlikely to stop them unless it benefits from turnovers. The bigger question is whether the Steelers’ offense can finally rebound after several weeks of struggling to score.
This could be one of the ugliest games we see in the NFL this season. Picking between the Steelers and the Ravens is like picking straws. Neither is great, but someone has to win the division. In this prediction, it's hard not to go with Baltimore. They have a better offense, even though it's shaky at times. Someone appears to be hitting the panic button in Pittsburgh, and it's bad news for them.