Ravens sweep the Steelers

One of football’s fiercest rivalries has produced weirdly memorable games and one-sided series in recent years. In 2019, the Ravens swept the Steelers — first beating a Pittsburgh team without Ben Roethlisberger, then winning the rematch without Jackson.

The Steelers’ series-clinching win in 2020 came against a coronavirus-ravaged Ravens team in a thrice-delayed game. In 2021, Pittsburgh won two games by a combined four points, the margins decided by a failed 2-point conversion and an overtime field goal.

Injuries, illness and the Ravens’ 2019 dominance have conspired to limit Jackson to just five starts against the Steelers over his three-plus years as a starter, one more than he’s made against the Kansas City Chiefs. If Jackson can stay healthy, he should start both games against Pittsburgh for the first time in his career.

That would give the Ravens a clear advantage at the game’s most important position. With the Steelers’ oodles of wide receiver talent, quarterbacks Mitch Trubisky and Kenny Pickett have unusually large safety nets. But Jackson is due for a breakout game against Pittsburgh, which has rattled him over the years. An improved offensive line and talented secondary should also be enough to negate the Steelers’ strongest positions. If the Ravens’ pass rush is up to full strength by December, they could win in Week 14 and Week 17 handily.