Keys to victory vs. the Ravens in Week 11
The Pittsburgh Steelers have an opportunity to get to 8-2 and take a firm grasp of first place in the AFC North should they defeat the Baltimore Ravens in Week 11. Here’s how they can do it.
Let it fly
Russell Wilson has been the most successful passer on passes of 20+ air yards since he took over as the Steelers’ starter in Week 7, completing a league-high 53.3 percent of such passes, per PFF. The Ravens’ pass defense has been notoriously bad, giving up a league-high 295 yards per game through the air. To put that in perspective, the Steelers are giving up 302.7 total yards per game. The Steelers will have their chances in the passing game. And should they take advantage of them, this should be a game they run away with, considering that unlike Cincinnati, they have a defense that can prevent the Ravens from scoring.
Pressure with four
The Steelers have the ability to get pressure with their front four. Even without Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig and Preston Smith will be able to compliment T.J. Watt off the edge, and Cam Heyward is having one of his best seasons in terms of generating interior pressure. Get pressure while keeping the Ravens’ play-makers in front of you will be a recipe for success, and will eventually make Lamar Jackson force a throw that the Steelers can pounce on.
Contain Derrick Henry
Henry is going to get his – that’s just how it is. But if the Steelers can keep the explosive runs to a minimum and force the Ravens into third and medium and third and long, forcing the Ravens’ pass-catchers to be the thing that beats them, that plays directly into their hand. The Chiefs and Steelers have consistently shown the blueprint on how to beat the Ravens – don’t allow them to run the ball and make Lamar throw the ball 35+ times. Do that and protect the ball, and Pittsburgh will be 8-2 going into Thursday night when they face the Browns in Week 12.