2024 AFC Wildcard Preview: #6 Pittsburgh Steelers at #3 Baltimore Ravens

2024 AFC Wildcard Preview: #6 Pittsburgh Steelers at #3 Baltimore Ravens

Wildcard weekend is upon us, so of course we have to come correct with previews. In this one, we will be looking at one of the AFC Wildcard games and doing a preview of the No. 6 seed Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 3 seed Baltimore Ravens. These divisional rivals split their season series and their final showdown takes place tomorrow night.

For the Pittsburgh Steelers, questions swirl around who should be the starting quarterback heading into Baltimore. Do they trot out Russell Wilson, who they have dropped their last four games with, or do they pull out all the stops and see if Justin Fields can reinvigorate this offense and keep them in the game? Can the secondary communicate in a hostile environment and stay aligned?

For the Baltimore Ravens, it all falls on MVP favorite Lamar Jackson. We now enter “Playoff Lamar” time, which indicates we have no idea what Lamar we will get. Jackson is 2-4 in the postseason, and his stats have been less than stellar. Can this offense find consistency without Zay Flowers? The run game is dominant, but if that gets stifled, can they find success through the air?

How The Steelers Can Win:

Attack Through The Air

To begin this AFC Wildcard preview, we are going to look at two ways the Steelers can go into Baltimore and steal a win. First, they have to get the passing game going. The Ravens rank 31st in pass defense, allowing 244.1 yards per game through the air. George Pickens has struggled down the stretch, but it will be imperative that whoever starts at quarterback gets him going early. If the Steelers want any chance to win this game, they have to get the passing game going.

Force Lamar Jackson To Throw

Easier said than done, I am aware. However, if the Steelers can get to Jackson early and put pressure on him, it could yield results. Jackson for his career in the playoffs completes just 57.4% of his passes, and has six touchdowns to six interceptions. If this defense can limit the damage done by Derrick Henry and force Baltimore into longer third downs and force him to win the game in the air, that could be a recipe for success.

How The Ravens Can Win

Establish Quick Pass Game

Earlier in this AFC Wildcard preview, I mentioned how Lamar Jackson struggles throwing the ball in the postseason. However, it’s all about exploiting weaknesses. The Steelers’ secondary has been bad the last six weeks of the season, failing to communicate properly and adjust to motion. Ranking 25th in pass defense, there’s an opportunity to utilize extra motion to get other receivers open and let them work in the open field. Picking apart a struggling secondary should be key.

Don’t Let Pittsburgh Hang Around

If the Ravens want to establish themselves as a threat, they need to go out and dominate the Steelers. Too often under Mike Tomlin, teams get a lead early and tend to coast, allowing his teams to make games competitive late. There is a clear mismatch in terms of roster makeup in this game, and it would be wise for John Harbaugh to lean on those stars to keep this game as one-sided as he can.

Prediction

To wrap up this AFC Wildcard preview, let’s talk predictions.

My Prediction: Pain. (Shoutout Clubber Lane)

Guys, this game isn’t going to be close. The Baltimore Ravens have the advantage on all three levels: Offense, Defense, and coaching. Home field advantage in Baltimore, Pittsburgh stumbled into the postseason with a lost locker room and no identity on offense. The current spread is Baltimore -9.5 (per DraftKings Sportsbook), and you’d be wise to hammer that. This could get ugly early, and hopefully, this is a wake-up call to the organization to make some changes.

Final Score: Baltimore Ravens 27 – Pittsburgh Steelers 13

Subscribe to Vendetta’s Twitch

Subscribe to Vendetta’s YouTube

Check out Vendetta Fantasy Contests

Click here for more NFL content