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Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson has won just one of five career starts against Pittsburgh.Photograph: Loren Elliott/Getty Images
Game of the week
Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4) v Baltimore Ravens (9-5)
The battle for the AFC North nears its climax with two bitter rivals gutting it out for hallowed home-field advantage in the playoffs. If the Pittsburgh Steelers continue their hot streak and earn a fifth successive win in Baltimore then the division is theirs while the Ravens can clinch a playoff spot with victory and see a path to the top of the class if Mike Tomlin’s team fall to the Chiefs or Bengals to close out the season.
Both teams will feel they have an edge on the other as the Ravens have flattered to deceive at times (see: defeats to Raiders and Browns), while the Steelers have struggled to move the ball without George Pickens. John Harbaugh’s team boasts a total offense that rivals Buffalo and Detroit in efficiency and explosiveness. The incredible tandem of quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry can tie even the best defense in knots on their day. But will the stars align? Pittsburgh’s brutal pass rush will still be confident they can bring out the bad in Baltimore.
What the Steelers need to do to win: Pickens needs to come back into the lineup. The star receiver is still yet to return to practice though so the Steelers need to lean on the running game, while still not losing faith in Wilson’s deep passing threat, in his sizable absence. Last week’s box score suggested Wilson seriously struggled but his receivers were locked up in tight coverage all day by a passing defense that gives up 227 yards/game, the second fewest in the NFL. Meanwhile the Ravens cough up the second most at 323. The offensive scheme needs to use Wilson’s deep threat but find balance to exploit that weakness when it counts.
Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has to find a way to get the running game going while also including Najee Harris and Jaylen…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-playoff-race-lamar-jackson-093008031.html
Author : The Guardian
Publish date : 2024-12-20 09:30:00
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