SCOUTING REPORT
The Steelers travel to play the longtime rival Ravens in Baltimore with their playoff hopes on the line. Steelers insider Brian Batko breaks down each aspect of the regular-season finale and lists the team’s keys to victory.
When the Steelers have the ball
You might not see any of the marquee faces of Baltimore’s secondary, save for New Castle High School’s own Geno Stone, a free safety who ranks second in the NFL with seven interceptions. No. 1 cornerback Marlon Humphrey, his sidekick Brandon Stephens and Pro Bowl strong safety Kyle Hamilton all are dealing with injuries even going into this meaningless game for them. The outside cornerbacks figure to be high-pedigree journeymen Rock Ya-Sin and Ronald Darby. If anyone is going to make a play, perhaps it’s former Steeler and veteran nickelback Arthur Maulet. Expect star inside linebacker Roquan Smith to rest, as well as standout Patrick Queen. The defensive line is young to begin with but impressive, led by Justin Madubuike. Top edge rushers Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy aren’t so young, so enter backups Odafe Oweh and Tavius Robinson.
When the Ravens have the ball
Most significant is swapping in Tyler Huntley at QB for Lamar Jackson. Huntley has only taken 29 snaps this season after filling in for Jackson down the stretch last year, and he might be handing off to 30-year-old Melvin Gordon so they can keep Gus Edwards and Justice Hill fresh. Will he throw to top wideouts Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and Odell Beckham? We’ll see. Alex Highsmith likely will see a left tackle other than highly paid Ronnie Stanley, while second-year center Tyler Linderbaum is a newly minted Pro Bowler with no off-switch when it comes to his motor — if he dresses. Don’t sleep on inexperienced but talented playmakers Tylan Wallace at receiver, Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar at tight end. This could be a perfect day for Justin Tucker to pad his stats on field goals.
Key matchup Steelers linebackers vs. Ravens running backs
Even with Elandon Roberts returning after sitting out in Seattle with a pectoral injury, the middle of the Steelers defense won’t have it easy in Baltimore, a city where they lean into the gritty aspects of football.
In fact, beyond the “Play Like a Raven” mantra that pervades their facility, it’s an oft-stated mentality that you aren’t a Raven until you beat the Steelers. Those philosophies combined with a Week 18 that has no impact on their playoff seeding means this: Coach John Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Todd Monken have every reason to try to shorten this game, run the ball early, run the ball often and get out of M&T Bank Stadium with minimal bumps or bruises. If that’s the case, even a makeshift offensive line will try to impose its will on the Steelers to help its running backs find room to go.
And did we mention there’s an 85% chance of rain with a projected high of 39? That’s AFC North weather come playoff time.
Physicality was on the side of the Ravens’ junior varsity back in 2019 in a similar situation. The Steelers had their playoff lives on the line, albeit with outside help needed, and they showed up in the Charm City just to get punked, 28-10.
With Robert Griffin III at quarterback and someone named Parker Ehinger making the final start of his NFL career at right guard, the Ravens
rolled up 223 yards rushing on 44 carries in the rain. Gus Edwards bullied through arm tackles all day to run for 130 yards and a TD. Whether it’s Roberts, Mykal Walker or Myles Jack playing the most prominent role at inside linebacker, they’ll need to be ready to wrap up and avoid the sort of missed tackles that can keep even a bunch of backups in the game.
“There's a fine line between being a backup and a Pro Bowler in the National Football League,” Mike Tomlin said Monday. “They're all professionals. They're all really good at what they do. So, what might seem like a large space from the outside looking in, all professional running backs could run through this room and not get tackled by anyone.”
He was talking about Mason Rudolph’s ascendance in that quote, but it could just as easily apply to the dynamics at play in this game. And if the Ravens start dialing up play-action for Tyler Huntley, giving him a chance to find his tight ends, that adds even another layer of concern for the second level of the Steelers defense.