OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Weird.
That’s the only way to describe this Ravens-Steelers rivalry in recent years.
Pittsburgh has indeed won seven of the last eight meetings — every game decided by a single score — but two-time NFL MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson has been no better than a recurring character rather than a central figure with only four career starts against the Steelers because of injuries, coaching decisions, and a 2020 bout of COVID-19. That largely explains both the lopsided record and why this rivalry has lost some of the aura it possessed for the better part of two decades.
“But I get a chance to go up against them this year, so I’m good right now,” Jackson said. “Hopefully, [the] second time coming around [in Baltimore next month], I don’t know what to say about that. But right now, I’m looking forward to that.”
Still, the Ravens are just 1-3 in those Jackson starts with the lone victory coming in 2019. The superstar quarterback didn’t play well in his first three games — one each in 2019, 2020, and 2021 — against Pittsburgh, but Jackson certainly deserved better in last year’s 17-10 road loss with Pro Football Focus grading his performance as his second best of 2023 despite his teammates being credited with seven dropped passes in an embarrassing performance. That said, Jackson came up small in one of the game’s most critical moments with an end-zone interception late in the fourth quarter that preceded Kenny Pickett’s go-ahead touchdown pass to George Pickens in the closing minutes.
More than a year later, offensive coordinator Todd Monken still hasn’t forgotten that defeat, noting that the Ravens “owe them one” after the offense “gave that away.”
That was the second career win in this rivalry for Pickett, who was jettisoned this past offseason after two disappointing seasons. The only Baltimore quarterback to line up in victory formation against Pittsburgh since the start of the 2020 season? Former practice-squad member Anthony Brown, of course.
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Did we mention how weird Ravens-Steelers has been lately?
The good news is Jackson being healthy — beyond a minor knee issue limiting him in recent practice weeks — and playing the best football of his career entering Sunday’s clash that feels like the biggest game these rivals have played in at least a few years. Even sporting the NFL’s 32nd-ranked pass defense that continues to face heavy scrutiny, the Ravens again look like a legitimate Super Bowl contender with Jackson, 27, leading the best offense in team history. But the 35-year-old Russell Wilson has Pittsburgh believing the 7-2 Steelers can be a more legitimate player in the AFC than their quarterback-challenged teams that did no better than sneak into the playoffs as the No. 7 seed two of the last three seasons.
Though sole possession of first place is up for grabs, the AFC North obviously won’t be decided on Sunday. But it’s quite a test for both teams that extends beyond the standings.
For the Ravens, it’s an opportunity to remove the bad taste of the last four years against Pittsburgh from their mouths. Though Jackson’s absences were the biggest variable in going 1-7, the Baltimore defense still surrendered fourth-quarter leads in five of those defeats and inspires even less confidence now with the way that unit is playing, especially on the road.
After earning a rock-solid win at Washington last Sunday, Mike Tomlin’s team can declare itself a legitimate AFC contender by taking down the Jackson-led Ravens, who have scored fewer than 30 points only once over the last seven games. Even if the Steelers’ stout defense manages to get its share of stops, Wilson and the offense will need to play at a high level for Pittsburgh to hand John Harbaugh’s team another defeat.
This one should be close because it always is between these teams. At the very least, it’s exciting to be talking about a Ravens-Steelers meeting of greater consequence after the weird circumstances of the last few seasons.
Hamilton returns to practice, but new names on injury report
8Thursday brought good news on the injury front as All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton returned to the field on a limited basis.
Hamilton appeared to be moving well during the open portion of practice, which bodes well for his chances of playing in Pittsburgh. At a minimum, his participation confirmed the ankle injury he suffered in last week’s win over Cincinnati wasn’t nearly as serious as observers initially feared when it occurred late in the first half.
The entire 53-man roster practiced Thursday, but cornerback Arthur Maulet suffered a calf injury that resulted in him having a walking boot on his left leg as he sat at his locker following the workout. It’s unclear how serious the injury might be, but his chances of playing against his former team are now in serious doubt.
Jackson (knee) and defensive tackle Travis Jones (ankle) were also added to the injury report as limited participants after not being listed Wednesday. The Ravens indicated that “rest” partially explained Jackson being limited, but it’s unknown whether Jones suffered some sort of a setback or is simply dealing with some lingering soreness from a Week 7 ankle injury that limited his effectiveness and availability for multiple weeks.
Jones played a career-high 56 snaps against the Bengals last week.
Below is Thursday’s full injury report:
BALTIMORE
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: S Kyle Hamilton (ankle), QB Lamar Jackson (rest/knee), DT Travis Jones (ankle), CB Arthur Maulet (calf)
FULL PARTICIPATION: CB Jalyn Armour-Davis (knee), TE Isaiah Likely (hamstring), DE Brent Urban (concussion), OLB Kyle Van Noy (illness)
PITTSBURGH
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: CB C.J. Henderson (neck), DT Cam Heyward (rest), OLB Alex Highsmith (ankle), TE MyCole Pruitt (knee/rest), RB Jaylen Warren (back)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: CB Donte Jackson (hamstring), WR Van Jefferson (quadricep)
FULL PARTICIPATION: RB Najee Harris (ankle), OLB Nick Herbig (hamstring), G Isaac Seumalo (rest), CB Cory Trice (hamstring)
