The Steelers and Ravens are the cream of the crop in the AFC North and always have been. You can throw out the record books when these teams meet because they’re about to go to war. While the Ohio teams sit at the kids’ table, the big brothers of the division will meet in week 16, this time for all the marbles in the AFC North.
If Pittsburgh can find a path to victory on Saturday, they will wear the crown as AFC North Champions. If they lose, they can still win the division, but the road becomes tougher. The Ravens have an easier schedule to end the season, with games against the Texans and Bengals. Pittsburgh will close the season against the Chiefs, and a Bengals team that could be fighting for their playoff lives.
Saturday in Baltimore will be a playoff environment for Russell Wilson and the Steelers. It will be a good test for Pittsburgh, coming off a bad loss in Philadelphia. Every game the Steelers have left on the schedule has a chance to be a playoff environment. For the Steelers, it’s time to unleash hell in December.
Pittsburgh will be without the services of star pass catcher George Pickens for the third straight week. He carries the load offensively, leaving Calvin Austin, Mike Williams, and Van Jefferson to fill a gigantic hole. Pat Freiermuth is looking for a fourth straight game with a touchdown but somebody else will have to get open if the Steelers want to move the ball.
They are also banged up on the defensive side of the ball. It’s December in the NFL, everybody is banged up. Pittsburgh’s leading tackler, and former Raven, DeShon Elliott is listed as doubtful. He was missed dearly against the Eagles last week, as the Steelers missed 20 tackles. Larry Ogunjobi and Donte Jackson are listed as questionable, potentially leaving the Steelers in a larger hole. Luckily, TJ Watt is cleared to play.
To put it politely, Pittsburgh has recently owned the Ravens. Reigning MVP Lamar Jackson hasn’t beaten Pittsburgh since 2019. Mason Rudolph and Duck Hodges were under center in that game, and the Ravens still needed overtime to get it done. TJ Watt and company have been giving Mr. Jackson nightmares.
Pittsburgh won the week 11 game against the Ravens by a score of 18-14. Chris Boswell accounted for all 18 points, going six for six on field goals, with a long of 57 yards. Justin Tucker missed two kicks in the game. In typical fashion, AFC North matchups are unpredictable. When two defenses of this caliber meet up, the offenses are in for a rough day.
The Steelers have played seven games under Mike Tomlin, where it was guaranteed to win the division with a victory. Tomlin and the Steelers are 6-1 in those games, including 3-0 against the Ravens. The only loss came in 2020 to the Bengals, but Pittsburgh still won the division. The past bodes well for the Steelers but it will mean nothing when the ball gets kicked off on Saturday.
With a victory in week 16, the Steelers will win the AFC North for the first time since 2020. For Pittsburgh, that’s a long wait. Despite being depleted, it’s a next-man-up mentality for the Steelers. As Mike Tomlin would say, if you’re a blinker, cut your eyelids off. It’s not a do-or-die situation for the Steelers in week 16, but securing a home playoff game could be a difference-maker in the NFL Playoffs.
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