As the Pittsburgh Steelers prepare for their Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, the road to victory will require a meticulous game plan, especially when facing the league’s most dynamic dual-threat quarterback, Lamar Jackson, and his powerful supporting cast.
The Steelers enter the game as 9.5-point underdogs, coming off a four-game losing streak, while the Ravens look to assert their dominance after securing the AFC North title. A win for Pittsburgh would not only boost morale but also keep their playoff hopes alive.
However, to pull off the upset, their focus must squarely be on slowing down Lamar Jackson and the Ravens’ high-powered offense.
Lamar Jackson has been a force this season, earning 4,172 passing yards (6th) and 42 passing touchdowns (2nd). His ability to read defenses, escape pressure, and extend plays with his legs makes him a nightmare for any defense.
In addition to Jackson, the Ravens also boast one of the league’s most dominant running backs Derek Henry. The powerhouse back, in his first season with Baltimore, tied for first in rushing touchdowns (16), finished second in rushing yards (1,921), and was second in carries (325).
Together, Jackson and Henry create an offense that is nearly impossible to stop when firing on all cylinders. But for Pittsburgh, this challenge is not as insurmountable as it may seem.
Steelers are equipped to shut down the Ravens offense
Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin’s unit has fared well against high-caliber offenses this season, and they will need to execute a game plan designed to limit Jackson’s impact. The first key to stopping Baltimore is keeping the pocket occupied.
Jackson thrives when he has space to escape pressure and make plays with his legs. By maintaining a solid pass rush and keeping Jackson contained within the pocket, Pittsburgh can force him to make quick decisions, minimizing his ability to improvise.
At the same time, the Steelers must clog running lanes to limit Derek Henry’s effectiveness. Adding extra bodies at the line of scrimmage can force Henry to become more of a decoy than a true threat. If the Steelers can frustrate both Jackson and Henry, it will lead to shorter, more frustrating drives for Baltimore, giving the Steelers’ offense more opportunities to control the game clock.
In the end, Pittsburgh’s success hinges on limiting Jackson’s ability to extend plays and neutralizing Henry’s power running game. If they can achieve this, the rest of the game plan will fall into place. The Steelers will have a chance to stay competitive in the time-of-possession battle, and their offense will have more chances to score.
Stopping Lamar Jackson and Derek Henry is the top priority for Pittsburgh this weekend—everything else will follow.