(Photo: NBC Sports)
AFC Game Of The Week
Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers
Ravens (8-8):
Teams always seem to play their best when they’re under enormous pressure and their backs are against the wall—and I’m not just talking about the NFL, but sports in general. I was furious with the Ravens in Week 16 because they held an 11-point lead and were in complete control of that game… until they weren’t. I’ll never understand why teams get away from what’s working. They were establishing Derrick Henry, and every time he touched the ball, good things happened. Once they had the lead, they went away from him down the stretch, and it cost them the game. Last weekend in Green Bay, however, they fed the big guy the ball and never stopped. For those of you who have followed me, what have I always said about the Ravens and Derrick Henry? For them to win—and for Derrick to have a real impact—they must give him the ball 21–25 times per game. When that happens, they win. Last weekend at Lambeau, he finished with 36 carries, 216 rushing yards, and four touchdowns. That’s what we call putting a team on your back and saving the day. When the offense runs through him, beautiful things happen and life becomes much smoother for Baltimore. Still, this is a hit-or-miss football team. One week they look great, and the next they revert back to what doesn’t work. Had they lost last Saturday, they would’ve been eliminated from playoff contention and surrounded by questions heading into the offseason. Instead, here we are—they’re still alive. On Sunday night, they close the regular season in Pittsburgh.
Steelers (9-7):
When I made my usual appearance on The Prime last week, I referenced David Pollack’s famous segment from College GameDay: “You Had One Job.” That phrase couldn’t be more accurate for this football team right now. To be honest, I barely recognize them anymore. They’re no longer the hard-hitting, physical group opponents used to fear. All they had to do was win in Cleveland on Sunday, and the division would’ve been wrapped up as AFC North champions. Instead, they struggled once again in the “Dawg Pound,” a place that has given them problems for years. I’ll give credit to the defense—they showed up and probably played their best game of the season. But the offense did them in, coming up short on far too many missed opportunities. The Steelers also missed DK Metcalf’s presence. His decision to confront a fan during a game in Detroit hurt the team, and had he been available, I believe the outcome could’ve been different—but I don’t play the “what if” game. My biggest issue with the Steelers remains their lack of a consistent running game, something that’s plagued them for years, dating back to the final seasons of Ben Roethlisberger. Mike Tomlin’s 19 consecutive seasons without a losing record is impressive, but the reality is they haven’t won a playoff game since 2016. They return home Sunday night for a winner-take-all divisional showdown.
Ravens X-Factor: Mark Andrews
The offense will always run through Derrick Henry, but the passing game starts and ends with Mark Andrews. He’s Lamar Jackson’s ultimate safety valve—especially on third downs and in the red zone. The Steelers’ main priority will be stopping Derrick Henry, which will leave Andrews matched up against linebackers and safeties—a matchup Baltimore can exploit. If Andrews controls the middle of the field, the Ravens’ offense will stay on schedule.
Steelers X-Factor: Jaylen Warren
This may be a reach, but it’s worth the shot. If the Steelers want to win, they must get Jaylen Warren involved. The Ravens struggle to contain running backs who attack inside and contribute in the passing game. Warren is a physical runner who finishes his runs and doesn’t go down easily. With Baltimore’s linebackers attacking downhill, Warren can punish them with screens, angle routes, and checkdowns.
Final Thoughts:
These two teams met in Week 14 with identical 6-6 records and little direction at the time. The Steelers escaped with a five-point win, taking control of the division. It’s only fitting that these two rivals would settle the AFC North in the final week, with the winner hosting a playoff game next weekend. Every matchup between these teams is physical and hard-hitting, and I expect nothing different Sunday night. Lamar Jackson is expected back for Baltimore, and T.J. Watt is expected to play for Pittsburgh. Baltimore must feature Mark Andrews early and allow him to work the middle of the field. If Pittsburgh commits extra attention to him, it opens things up for the rest of the offense. The Ravens must also stay ahead of the chains—this Steelers defense thrives in long-yardage situations. Winning on first down, avoiding negative plays, and neutralizing T.J. Watt will be critical. Pittsburgh, on the other hand, must prioritize ball security, establish Jaylen Warren and a consistent ground game, and use play-action to open things up on the perimeter. Defensively, they’ll need to pressure Lamar Jackson while containing Derrick Henry and Zay Flowers. It all comes down to this. When the game ends, there will be a champion of the AFC North, the four seed in the AFC Playoffs and we’ll have a complete playoff bracket.
