RAVENS PASSING GAME VS. STEELERS PASS DEFENSE
Lamar Jackson played perhaps the best game of his career in the blowout over the Dolphins, likely securing his second NFL Most Valuable Player trophy and ensuring he will be inactive against Pittsburgh. With three other quarterbacks on their 53-man roster, the Ravens have options for covering Jackson’s snaps. Tyler Huntley will start, with third-stringer Josh Johnson as his backup. The Ravens could also use the second half to look at Malik Cunningham, whom they signed off the New England Patriots’ practice squad to compete for their backup job next summer. Cunningham also took practice reps at wide receiver Wednesday. Huntley is 3-5 as a starter in his career and has completed 65.6% of his passes, but the team’s offense will be less explosive, with wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. out and rookie Zay Flowers doubtful for Saturday’s game. That could lead to increased opportunities for wide receivers Rashod Bateman (four catches, 54 yards against the Dolphins) and Nelson Agholor and tight end Charlie Kolar. Offensive tackles Morgan Moses and Ronnie Stanley might be active against Pittsburgh, but don’t expect significant workloads for them either. The Ravens could be in for a difficult afternoon against the Steelers’ talented pass defense, which ranks seventh in DVOA and ninth in pressures per dropback. Pittsburgh blitzes frequently and features two of the league’s best edge rushers in T.J. Watt (17 sacks, 34 quarterback hits, eight passes defended) and Alex Highsmith (seven sacks, 18 quarterback hits). Defensive tackle Cameron Heyward is usually in the same class but has struggled with a groin injury that sidelined him for six games. Rookie cornerback Joey Porter
Jr. has flashed considerable potential and made his lone interception in the Steelers’ Oct. 8 win over the Ravens. Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, normally the top playmaker in Pittsburgh’s secondary, is working through a knee injury and is questionable.