STEELERS PASSING GAME VS. RAVENS PASS DEFENSE

The Steelers have sprung to life over the last two weeks with Mason Rudolph at quarterback and his positional coach, Mike Sullivan, calling the plays. Rudolph began the season third on the depth chart behind Kenny Pickett and Mitch Trubisky, but Pittsburgh has scored more than 30 points in both of his starts after failing to reach even 20 in the previous five games. He has completed 68.5% of his passes with no interceptions, and the team’s most dynamic receiver, George Pickens, has exploded for 326 yards over the past two games. Wide receiver Diontae Johnson and tight end Pat Freiermuth, neither of whom played against the Ravens in October, are also back in the mix as significant targets. Starting tackles Broderick Jones and Dan Moore Jr. don’t grade as good pass blockers, according to Pro Football Focus, but the Steelers have allowed just 33 sacks this season.

They will take on a Ravens defense that ranks No. 1 in DVOA against the pass after holding Miami’s fast-paced aerial attack in check. They did it largely without starting cornerbacks Brandon Stephens and Marlon Humphrey and without do-it-all safety Kyle Hamilton. Expect those three to play little, if at all, against the Steelers, meaning cornerbacks Rock Ya-Sin, Ronald Darby and Arthur Maulet will again have to step up. Darby (illness) and Maulet (hip) are questionable. Coordinator Mike Macdonald eschewed blitzes and trickery at the line of scrimmage in a successful second half

against Miami, and it will be interesting to see if he goes vanilla against the Steelers given the low stakes. The Ravens lead the league in sacks, and veterans Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy are shooting to reach double digits, but they, along with top interior pass rusher Justin Madubuike, could rest more than usual.