The Steelers traveled to Baltimore. This time when “Mr. Jackson” and “Mr. Henry” spoke, all of Pittsburgh listened, as the Steelers suffered a 34-17 defeat to the Baltimore Ravens.
The loss drops the Steelers record to 10-5 while improving the Ravens to 10-5, leaving the teams tied in the AFC North crown. It is also the second straight week the Steelers have gone into “Alpha Male” matchups and come out with their lips busted and their nose bloodied.
- Clearly, this not the type of performance you want to see from the Steelers in “December football.”
But does that mean the Steelers are doomed to another December derrota? The answer is no, it doesn’t. But that “No” comes with a rather large caveat.
Russell Wilson fumbles at the 4 yard line. Photo Credit: Chaz Palla, Tribune-Review
Pittsburgh, Meet “Mr. Jackson” and “Mr. Henry”
Several trends favored the Steelers going into the game.
- The Steelers had won 8 out of 9 against the Ravens
- Mike Tomlin had found a way to mortalize Lamar Jackson
- Although it didn’t get much ink, Pittsburgh had enjoyed similar success vs Derrick Henry
But anyone who thought that the Steelers “had Jackson’s number” was fooling themselves. Lamar Jackson has won multiple league MVP awards in the past and will almost certainly earn the honor multiple times in the future.
As for Derrick Henry, he quite simply runs like the kind of running back that the Steelers offense wishes it had. True, the Steelers have had success in stopping elite running backs this season. One of the few highlights of the flame out in Philly was that the Steelers kept Saquon Barkley down to earth.
- Both “Mr. Jackson” and “Mr. Henry” took off against the Steelers.
Sure, the Steelers limited Jackson on the ground. But he tossed 3 touchdown passes and, frankly, each one looked easier. Jackson might have “only” thrown for 209 yards. He didn’t need to throw for more. Henry rushed for 162 on the ground.
Cam Heyward, Elandon Roberts and Minkah Fitzpatrick all logged a few nice stops of Henry behind or near the line of scrimmage. But those were few and far between. The story of the night was the Ravens ripping gaping holes in the Steelers front seven, Henry hitting them to gouge the defense, while members of the secondary barely stopped him from scoring.
- The Baltimore Ravens were the better team than the Pittsburgh Steelers in all three phases.
John Harbaugh could given out multiple game-balls following this win. But no two players exemplified the Ravens dominance like Jackson and Henry.
ICYMI: The Steelers Were Actually In This Game
The Steelers went into this game down three starters on defense, lost a fourth during the game, and of course George Pickens their most dynamic talent on offense.
- To score an upset, several players would have to step up.
- Beyond individual efforts, Arthur Smith would have to coax something extra out of his collective unit
And in a lot of ways that happened. Although you wouldn’t know if you only looked at their rushing totals, Smith platooned Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren more effectively than he has all season.
Calvin Austin hauls in a sideline pass. Photo Credit: Chaz Palla, Tribune-Review
Warren averaged 4 yards a carry and Harris managed 4.7. Neither man had a run longer than 11 yards. That shows just how scrappy both men were in fighting for extra yards and forcing piles to fall forward. Warren also had several catches.
The offense still clearly misses George Pickens, but Smith found ways to get contributions form others:
- Ben Skowronek helped jump-start a drive with a long catch
- Calvin Austin hauled in a 44-yarder on the sideline
- MyCole Pruitt and Cordarrelle Patterson both scored touchdowns
- Van Jefferson caught a deep pass to set up Pruitt’s touchdown
No, no one will ever confuse this effort for the Greatest Show on Turf. Nor will they mistake the rushing attack for a dominant ground game. But it does so that, had the game dynamics been different, Arthur Smith’s offense may have risen to the occasion.
The defense was more problematic, but they still found ways to make splash plays when it counted.
After the Steelers offense turned over on downs and then gave up a 44-yard run to Henry, Minkah Fitzpatrick struck back with an interception. It was a play that, had the “game dynamics” been different, could have shifted moment in Pittsburgh’s direction.
Pittsburgh Bounces the Ball Baltimore’s Way. Literally
Against the Eagles, the Steelers lost in large part because the defense and special teams created two turnovers that the offense failed to capitalize. On the 7th play of the game against the Ravens, Alex Highsmith strip sacked Lamar Jackson.
- But the ball bounced to Ronnie Stanley who recovered for the Ravens.
Alex Highsmith strip sacks Lamar Jackson. Photo Credit: Chaz Palla, Tribune-Review
Baltimore forced a punt on the very next series. James Pierre forced Desmond King to fumble. But it rolled in Chris Board’s direction and the Ravens recovered, and then Ravens scored a touchdown.
The Steelers answered with a touchdown of their own. The Steelers forced a punt. On the next drive they were moving steadily down the field when Russell Wilson took off. He ran for 19 yards and reached the Baltimore four.
There he fumbled. He tried to get it back but the ball Kyle Van Noy who recovered for the Ravens.
- The ball literally wasn’t bouncing Pittsburgh’s way.
And when it wasn’t, the Steelers helped roll it to the Ravens. Two plays after Minkah Fitzpatrick’s interception figured to get the Steelers right back into the game, Russell Wilson fired off a pass towards Puritt that left his hand a second too soon.
Marion Humphrey caught it and took it to the house, bringing the score to 31-17 and effectively icing the game for Baltimore.
Health Critical for the Steelers
Despite losing badly to the Eagles, the Steelers came into the game against the Ravens with fire and fight. For a second straight week, the Steelers learned that fire and fight alone don’t win games. Playmaking does.
- Avoid a few errors, and the Steelers contest both of those games
- Make a few plays, and maybe they could have even won
But to make plays, your best players have to be on the field. The Steelers are missing their best offensive playmaker and 3/4ths of their secondary.
Patrick Mahomes is spending Christmas in Pittsburgh.
The Steelers had better find a way to get healthy. Fast.
