Baltimore and Pittsburgh both enter Sunday at 6–6, and with the AFC wild-card picture crowded, the belief around the league is simple: winning the AFC North may be the only realistic playoff path for both teams. Two dogs, one bone. That makes this matchup less about style points and more about exploiting disadvantages.
Here’s where each team holds a measurable edge.
Steelers’ Advantages
Pass Rush vs. Ravens Pass Protection
Pittsburgh continues to generate pressure without heavy blitzing, a key factor against Lamar Jackson. Data tracking pressure-to-blitz ratios shows the Steelers near the top of the league in four-man pressure creation. That matters because Jackson’s efficiency drops on long-yardage downs when escape lanes are compressed rather than blitzed.
Red-Zone Defense
The Steelers remain strong inside the 20, regularly forcing field goals instead of touchdowns. However, their defense overall hasn't been consistent. Baltimore’s red-zone touchdown rate has lagged behind its overall offensive efficiency, making this a leverage-area advantage for Pittsburgh in a tight game.
Limiting Ravens RB Production
While Lamar Jackson drives Baltimore’s offensive explosiveness, the Steelers run fits have a mess lately, as evidenced by the Buffalo Bills shredding them for 249 yards on the ground last week. Pittsburgh must keep a lid on Derrick Henry, which is much easier said than done. That forces more QB-centric offense and increases physical wear on Jackson over four quarters.
Ravens’ Advantages
Lamar Jackson vs. Coverage Discipline
This remains the biggest mismatch. Mobile quarterbacks—particularly Jackson—historically stress Pittsburgh’s zone-match concepts by creating broken-play conversions and defensive hesitation. Even modest scrambling efficiency keeps Baltimore ahead of the chains.
Ravens Defensive Front vs. Steelers Offensive Line
Baltimore’s interior defensive line has been disruptive on early downs all season. Pressure up the middle has consistently caused low yards-per-play splits for Pittsburgh’s offense and forced long third downs.
Secondary vs. Steelers Receivers
The Ravens’ defensive backs excel at limiting explosive plays, something Pittsburgh’s offense hasn't been able to produce all season. Baltimore’s ability to close passing windows shortens drives and increases sack probability. The Steelers must find some rhythm in the passing game and an explosive play or two, or Kyle Hamilton and Co. Could end this one early.
Aggressive Game Management
Baltimore is among league leaders in fourth-down attempts in short-yardage situations. That aggression can swing possession counts and momentum—especially against a Steelers team that prefers field position and low-risk football.
Bottom Line
The data points to two very different paths to victory.
Pittsburgh thrives in grind-it-out, low-possession games decided by pressure and red-zone stops.
Baltimore benefits when it dictates tempo, disrupts early downs, and allows Lamar Jackson to control high-leverage moments.
Whoever imposes their preferred game script on Sunday likely walks away with control of the AFC North.