There have been many big games in the history of Pittsburgh and Baltimore and we are set for yet another chapter. Here’s everything you need to know about the Ravens and the Steelers for Week 11.
What: Baltimore Ravens 7-3 at Pittsburgh Steelers 7-2
Where: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA
When: Sunday November 17th 2024 1pmET
Weather: Cloudy and 57 degrees at kickoff.
Surface: Natural grass
Wagering Information: Ravens -3 O/U 48.5
Last Week: The Ravens defeated the Bengals 35-34 on TNF while the Steelers also came from behind to defeat Washington 28-27.
TV: CBS Ian Eagle (play-by-play), Charles Davis (analysis), Evan Washburn (field reporter)
TV Coverage in Your Area (courtesy 506sports.com): Coverage of the game is in RED.
Radio: Steelers Nation Radio/WDVE Rob King (play-by-play), Craig Wolfley (analysis)
Max Starks (field reporter)
Compass Media Networks: Chris Carrino (play-by-play), Brian Baldinger (analysis)
Head Official: Clay Martin. Graduate of Oklahoma Baptist. Currently a High School Athletic Director. He’s in his seventh season as a head official and last called a Steelers’ game last season against the New England Patriots. His crew has called 33 holding penalties which second (36) despite officiating one less game.
Key Injuries/Game Status (courtesy steelers.com) PIT: No. 21 CB C.J. Henderson (Neck) – Out, ** No. 27 CB Cory Trice Jr. (Hamstring) – Questionable, No. 30 RB Jaylen Warren (Back) – Questionable, No. 56 LB Alex Highsmith (Ankle) – Out, No. 81 TE MyCole Pruitt (Knee/NIR – Resting Vet) – Doubtful BAL: No. 98 DT Travis Jones (Ankle) – Questionable, No. 10 CB Arthur Maulet (Calf) – Out
**In 21-day return window
Injury Notes: Clearly Highsmith being out is a major loss but if Warren can’t go? That really hurts the offense. His ability to run, catch and pass block would be sorely missed in a game that’s going to rely on physicality.
2024 NFL Ranks:
Total Offense: PIT 16th BAL 1st
Passing Offense: PIT 28th BAL 1st
Rushing Offense: PIT 10th BAL 1st
Total Defense: PIT 3rd BAL 27th
Passing Defense: PIT 17th BAL 32nd
Rushing Defense: PIT 4th BAL 2nd
AFC North Standings:
Pittsburgh 7-2
Baltimore 7-3
Cincinnati 4-6
Cleveland 2-7
This Week in the AFC North: Cleveland at New Orleans 1pmET, Cincinnati at LA Chargers 820pmET
What You Need to Know: The Steelers have won the last three games against Baltimore… The two teams have played 38 one-score games dating back to 1996… The Steelers are 6-0 when they hold opponents to 19 points or less… They are 1-2 when the opponent scores 20 or more points… Teams opening the season at 7-2 make the postseason 92% of the time and they won the Super Bowl 13.5% of the time… Pittsburgh is allowing just 6.1 points in the second half of games this year.
Tomlin Time: Mike Tomlin is 19-15 all-time against the Ravens… BAL Head Coach John Harbaugh is 14-18 all-time against Pittsburgh… Coach T has 180 career victories which places him 11th all-time in NFL history… Only Andy Reid (267) has more wins among active coaches than Tomlin.
Baltimore Ravens Names to Know: QB Lamar Jackson, RB Derrick Henry, WR Zay Flowers,TE Mark Andrews, TE Isaiah Likely, S Kyle Hamilton, CB Nate Wiggins, CB Marlon Humphrey, LB Roquan Smith, K Justin Tucker
What’s at Stake: First place in the AFC North. The Ravens have already played 3 divisional games with just the Browns and another tilt with the Steelers remaining. Pittsburgh still has two with both Cleveland and Cincinnati.
All-Time Series: Steelers lead 35-25
Last Meeting: January 2023 in Baltimore. Steelers 17 Ravens 10
Postseason History: Steelers lead 3-1
Steelers Game Highs vs BAL:
PASSING: 506 yards Ben Roethlisberger 12/10/2017
RUSHING: 144 yards Le’Veon Bell 10/01/2017
RECEIVING: 213 yards Antonio Brown 12/10/2017
SACKS: 3.5 T.J. Watt 12/05/2021, James Harrison 11/05/2017
INTERCEPTIONS:2 Brent Alexander 01/20/2002, Dewayne Washington 09/19/1999
Check out the latest Steel City Blitz Steelers Podcast for more on the Steelers.
Three Things We Need to See for a Steelers’ Victory:
1. Cover and/or Pressure. I fear that Washington found a formula last week to really impact the Steelers’ defense. They used a lot of quick throws and they used a lot of slants and crossers. This neutralized our pass rush and it forced our corners to cover and they weren’t finding a lot of success. Lamar Jackson will likely follow a similar formula and Teryl Austin has to have a plan. If T.J. Watt and company aren’t getting to him then the defensive backs better be covering more successfully than they were last week. Baltimore has many more weapons and will do far more damage than the Commanders did if allowed.
2. Read the Room. With the Ravens having a horrible pass defense and excellent run defense, it would make sense for Arthur Smith to come out throwing. But you know and I know he probably won’t. Instead he will look to establish the run in order to shorten the game and keep Lamar Jackson off the field. If the running game isn’t finding success then Smith has to adjust quickly. If he’s stubborn and sticks to the ground game, then it could create an ugly situation for the Steelers.
3. Win the Tight End Battle. For years, the Steelers have commonly struggled with covering tight ends. This season however, the Ravens are actually the ones giving up a lot of catches and yards to opposing offenses. They rank first in the NFL for giving up the most yards receiving by TEs while the Steelers are 15th. Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely are better than the combination of Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington and I firmly believe whomever comes out of this contest with better numbers will lead their team to a win.
The ‘X’ Factor: Each week I will select a player from each team who I believe will need to play above and beyond in order for his team to win.
X-Factor Steelers: Keannu Benton. It would be easy to just say “the entire defensive line” but I’m staying with Benton. The Ravens saw what the Giants did in the running game and they have to feel confident they can do the same with Derrick Henry. Benton MUST be the anchor in the center of that line who creates havoc. Getting to Henry before he can get up to speed is so freaking important I can’t stress it enough. If Benton can force the Ravens to double on him then it opens the door for everyone else.
X-Factor Ravens: Justin Tucker. The future Hall of Fame kicker has not been himself this year. He’s missed four field goals and a PAT and he’s really struggled from beyond 50 yards. That’s a place he was once automatic from… Now he’s kicking in Acrisure and we know how that place can create issues even with the slightest of breezes. He has to be perfect in what is usually a tight game.
Prediction: It’s hard to find anyone who thinks this game won’t be a shootout. What’s odd is that the last four games between these two have seen neither team break the 20-point barrier. Based on what’s been happening in recent weeks, I completely understand why people think this. The Baltimore offense has been potent all season and the Steelers’ offense has been much better since Russell Wilson took over. I think both teams will settle in and the defenses will create issues for the offense. That said, Lamar Jackson is due to have a big game against us and I fear this is the week.
Ravens 24 Steelers 20
Season Prediction Record: 6-3
