A year ago at this time, the Steelers were 10-0 heading into a Week 12 Thanksgiving night game against the Ravens.
A week and multiple postponements due to COVID-19 issues with Baltimore's roster later, the game was finally played, with the Steelers slogging through a 19-14 win over a depleted Ravens roster to sweep the season series.
That Steelers team had lived on the edge during a franchise-best 11-0 start, but things began to unravel after that game against Baltimore. Five days later, the Steelers lost their first game of the season to Washington, and they finished 12-4.
The Steelers still won the division, but all of the close wins earlier in the season turned to losses later, as a team that went 6-0 in one-score games during its 11-0 start, went 1-2 in similar games in the season's final five weeks.
Things have a way of evening out in the NFL.
GETTY
John Harbaugh and Mike Tomlin exchange pleasantries before a 2018 meeting.
That's at least, the hope of the Steelers (5-5-1) as they head into Sunday's first of two meetings in the final six weeks of this season with the Ravens, who sit atop the AFC standings at 8-3.
Baltimore has had some good fortune this season when it comes to close games. The Ravens are 6-1 in one-score game this season and have pulled out some victories in the closing minutes that even head coach John Harbaugh admits were, well, fortunate.
"To me, I just chock it up to faith. We just kept fighting, kept our faith, and found a way to win games at the end," Harbaugh said this week. "Sometimes you do that, sometimes you don’t. Our guys have been able to do that this year. Some of these games, we’ve seen those kind of situations."
The Steelers, at least of late, have seen things spiral the other way. They won their first four one-score games, but have a tie and a loss in their past two. They've also been blown out most recently, coming off a 41-10 thrashing at the hands of the Bengals last week in Cincinnati.
And it's that loss that's sticking in their collective craw this week.
"You know what? Someone once said, 'Games like this are like bubblegum. You chew them for a little bit and you spit them out,'" said Ben Roethlisberger. "That's kind of what I'm doing: moving on. I have no comments about last week because it's bubblegum that’s been spit out."
If it were only that easy.
"We didn't coach well enough, we didn't play well enough, and you don't get that stench off you in a number of days," Mike Tomlin said. "It'll be some time as we work our way back to respectability."
Beating the Ravens would be a step in the right direction.
At 5-5-1, the Steelers are still very much in the thick of the AFC playoff chase, sitting in the 10th spot right now in the seven-team race for the postseason with six games remaining.
But their margin of error is all but gone. They're 0-2-1 in their past three games, so turning things around and doing so quickly is a must.
"We can't worry about making runs. We have to worry about winning one game," Roethlisberger said. "If we sit there and look at: 'OK, we've got this many games left. We have to finish with this,' then you're looking past the right here and now. That's the most important thing for us right now is this game, this week, this opponent. You just kind of have to let everything fall into place from there, from one week at a time."
The task at hand is a big one. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson presents one of the biggest challenges in the league from a defensive standpoint. The 2019 NFL MVP has thrown for 2,612 yards and 15 touchdowns while also rushing for 707 yards and two scores.
The Steelers will get linebacker T.J. Watt, who went on on the Reserve/COVID-19 List Monday, back for the game. He was activated Saturday morning and will be a full go for this game..
Given the fact the Steelers have struggled against the run of late, including allowing 198 rushing yards to the Bengals last week, they can certainly use Watt. Defensive captain Cam Heyward missed practice Friday with an illness, but is still expected to play.
The Steelers have fallen to 28th in the NFL stopping the run. But Harbaugh's not necessarily looking at the numbers.
He's been involved in too many meetings with Tomlin and the Steelers -- going back to his first season in 2008 -- to know better.
"We expect them to be like they always are, and what we see on tape is a tough, hard-nosed, physical team," Harbaugh said. "If you’re going to talk about their defense, it’s square, locking out front, knock you back, set the edges type of a front that they’ve always been. They’re always bringing guys down in the secondary to tackle. It’s just a hard-playing group, like always. That’s what we know we’re going to get when we play the Pittsburgh Steelers."
Maybe, maybe not.
But the challenges have been laid down to be that group, coming from Tomlin and his coaching staff and former Steelers all week long. What remains to be seen is if these Steelers will take the criticisms from outside and within to heart.
"We just have to get back to playing how we know how to play regardless of who's out there because we know we had plenty of guys missing multiple weeks this year," safety Terrell Edmunds said. "Now it's just going back to the culture, trying to figure out who we really are, going out there and competing and going out there and putting on display what we're out here doing each and every day. These last few weeks have been tough for us but we know now we just have to turn the page and get back to what we know.
"We've been so motivated this week, so locked in. Now we're just going out there trying to get a win."
THE ESSENTIALS
• Who: Steelers (5-5-1) vs. Ravens (8-3)
• When: 4:25 p.m., Sunday
• Where: Heinz Field
• Forecast: 49°, 7% chance of rain, 10 mph wind
• TV: KDKA, CBS (National)
• Radio: 102.5 WDVE, ESPN Pittsburgh
• Streaming: Steelers Nation Radio
• Satellite: Sirius XM 381, online 826
• Media notes: Steelers | Ravens
THE INJURY REPORT
Steelers: CB Joe Haden (foot, out); DT Isaiah Buggs (ankle, out)
Ravens: T Cedric Ogbuehi (thigh, out); WR Miles Boykin (finger, doubtful); CB Anthony Averett (shoulder/ankle, questionable); TE Nick Boyle (knee, questionable); LB Jaylon Ferguson (illness, questionable); CB Marlon Humphrey illness, questionable); OL Patrick Mekari (ankle, questionable); LB Odafe Oweh (shoulder, questionable); LB Patrick Queen (ribs, questionable); FB Patrick Ricard (foot/thigh, questionable)
THE KEY VARIABLE
Over the past month, the Steelers have seen their defense fall from seventh in the NFL in points allowed following an Oct. 31 win at Cleveland, to its current 23rd-overall standing.
Needless to say, it was not a November to remember.
The Steelers have given up 82 points in their past two games -- 41 in each -- and they're not happy about it.
Tomlin has long preached "next man up," when it comes to having backups step in for injured starters. But with so many young players taking the place of older, more established backups of the past, it just hasn't been the same.
"When you’ve got injuries and stuff like that, sometimes you’re playing with people that have to step up," defensive coordinator Keith Butler said. "Sometimes it takes a week or two, a couple weeks, to understand what it’s really like to be a Steeler, all that type of stuff. Our guys, I think they want to do well. It’s not like they just want to get run over and dadgum give up 41 points twice. None of us like that crap. I think our guys will play hard and I think they’ll do the best they can."
To Butler's point, since limiting the Browns -- then the NFL's top rushing team -- to 96 yards on the ground in a 15-10 win in Cleveland, the Steelers have given up 136, 229, 159 and 198 rushing yards in their past four games. Perhaps in the grand scheme of things, they're fortunate to be 1-2-1 in those games.
Though the Ravens are without their top two running backs -- J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards -- they've used the veteran duo of Devonta Freeman and Latavius Murray, among others -- to cobble together a running game, ranking second in the NFL at 150.7 rushing yards per game.
Of course, when your quarterback leads the rushing attack with 707 yards in 10 games, you present all kinds of challenges.
The Steelers have had success against Jackson in his two previous starts against them, sacking him nine times, intercepting him five times and giving up 135 yards, but on 30 rushing attempts. Given what Jackson has done to nearly every other team he's faced, those numbers are outstanding against the 2019 NFL MVP.
But doing it again this season in this first of two late-season meetings between the two teams will be easier said than done for a unit missing defensive line starters Stephon Tuitt and Tyson Alualu.
The Steelers have been searching for the right combination up front to replace those two front-line stalwarts, let alone having also played games without Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick in recent weeks.
Isaiah Buggs, who had replaced Alualu at nose tackle, was benched and inactive last week against the Bengals, with Heyward seeing some time at nose tackle. Buggs is out against the Ravens with an ankle injury. This week the Steelers signed veteran Martavious Adams off the practice squad of the Saints. The Steelers are so desperate to change things up on their defensive front Adams might wind up starting this game at nose tackle.
"It comes down to technique, getting off blocks, being physical at the point of attack, understanding alignment, execution," said Heyward. "You can't really substitute anything for physicality. I know we had a day of pads (in practice Wednesday), but for us, we have to preach the little things. Because it's little things that are getting us beat, running into the ball. It takes 11 guys on defense to be a good defense. Doesn't take one guy. Doesn't take two guys. It's got to take the whole team playing a lot better."
They might be getting the Ravens at the right time. Baltimore has scored a touchdown on just three of its past 35 offensive possessions over the past three games, a number that is last in the NFL. And after a hot start in which he averaged 9.1 yards per pass attempt, Jackson has averaged just 6.3 yards per attempt over his last five starts. Roethlisberger is averaging 6.6 yards per attempt this season. Jackson has thrown seven touchdown passes and nine interceptions in those games, posting a passer rating of 71.4.
But Jackson still has had success running the ball during that period, averaging 73.2 yards per game over that same period.
"That's what they do best. When you have a guy like Lamar, not only is he a great passer, but he can run the ball for good chunks of yards," said defensive lineman Chris Wormley. "They have two really good backs. And that's going to be our biggest focus."
THE HISTORY LESSON
This is the latest the Steelers and Ravens have met for the first time in a season in their history, surpassing the 2006 and 2009 seasons, when they first met in Week 12 in those seasons.
And it's back to that 2009 game we'll go this week, despite the fact it was played in Baltimore.
The Steelers and Ravens, who had met in the AFC Championship a year before, both entered the game at 6-4 and behind the Bengals in the AFC North standings.
And with Roethlisberger out after having suffered a concussion in an overtime loss the previous week to the Chiefs, the Steelers turned to third-stringer Dennis Dixon with Charlie Batch also injured. Dixon had thrown just 2 regular season passes in his career to this point.
But even with the Steelers at less than full strength, this was a slugfest.
The Ravens struck first, getting a 2-yard touchdown rum by Willis McGahee midway through the first quarter, but the Steelers tied the game at 7-7 when Dixon connected with Santonio Holmes for a 33-yard touchdown on the second play of the second quarter.
The Steelers drove to the Baltimore 33 after forcing the Ravens to punt, but Matt Spaeth and Mewelde Moore were both called for holding penalties that pushed the Steelers back out of field goal range and they punted with just over four minutes remaining in the half.
That was more than enough time for Joe Flacco, as he directed an 89-yard scoring drive, hitting Mark Clayton for a 54-yard gain, then finding Derrick Mason for a 10-yard touchdown and a 14-7 lead just after the two-minute warning.
The Steelers trimmed the advantage to 14-10 on a Jeff Reed field goal early in the third quarter, then took a 17-14 lead midway through the fourth quarter when Dixon scored on a 24-yard run.
Flacco directed the Ravens to the Pittsburgh 5, but Ray Rice was stopped for a one-yard loss by Tyrone Carter and Flacco threw incomplete to Todd Heap on third down to force a game-tying field goal with 1:51 remaining in the fourth quarter.
The Steelers couldn't move the ball and were forced to punt. Chris Carr returned the punt 43 yards to the Pittsburgh 31, but the Ravens were called for an illegal block above the waist and the ball went back to the Baltimore 29.
Mason drew a 29-yard pass interference penalty on Ike Taylor to help put the Ravens in field goal range, but on third-and-9 from the Pittsburgh 34, James Farrior sacked Flacco to push the ball back to the 43, and Billy Cundiff's 56-yard field goal attempt was no good, sending the game to overtime.
Both teams punted to start overtime, but after getting the ball back at the Pittsburgh 45, Dixon was intercepted by Paul Kruger, who returned the pick 26 yards to the Steelers 28. That set up a 29-yard Cundiff field goal that lifted the Ravens to the win.
Dixon completed 12 of 26 passes for 145 yards, one touchdown and one interception, while also running three times for 27 yards -- though he had a 31-yard run in the first quarter wiped out by a holding penalty. Rashard Mendenhall gained 95 yards on 26 carries, while Holmes had six receptions for 74 yards.
Flacco threw for 289 yards and a touchdown but was sacked five times. Rice had 88 yards rushing, while Clayton caught seven passes for 129 yards, though he lost a fumble.
Lawrence Timmons had seven tackles and two sacks, while LaMarr Woodley also had seven tackles and a sack for the Steelers.
The loss was the third in a five-game losing streak for the Steelers, who rebounded to win their final three games -- including beating the Ravens, 23-20 in the rematch four weeks later -- to finish at 9-7. The Ravens also went 9-7 that season, making the playoffs as a Wild Card on a tiebreaker.
KARL ROSER / STEELERS
Diontae Johnson practices rolling off a tackle while maintaining possession of the ball at a recent practice.
THE MAIN MATCHUP
When you look at the Steelers offense, it's hard to find a lot of consistently positive results. Rookie running back Najee Harris has had his moments. So have rookie tight end Pat Freiermuth and second-year wide receiver Chase Claypool.
The one thing the Steelers have been able to consistently count on has been the play of Diontae Johnson. Though he missed a Week 3 game against the Bengals, Johnson ranks sixth in the NFL with 68 catches and is 12th with 809 receiving yards to go along with his four touchdown catches.
Johnson, who is sixth in the NFL with 109 pass targets, has emerged as a true No. 1 receiver in his third NFL season. And the Ravens are more than aware of it.
"I know one thing – you better know where (No.) 18 is at all times, because he's going to be getting the ball," said Harbaugh. "Not just covering him but tackling him after he makes the catch. His run after catch has been one of the best in the league."
The Ravens are one of the few teams in the NFL who have their top cornerback, Marlon Humphrey, travel with the opposing team's No. 1 receiver. The Steelers, and Johnson, fully expect Humphrey to follow Johnson all over the field -- if he plays. Humphrey missed practice Thursday and Friday with an illness and is questionable to play this week.
"He's pretty much their best corner," said Johnson. "If he follows me, I'm going to what I do. I have to play the game. It's going to be a competitive matchup. I'm ready regardless."
Humphrey has allowed 42 receptions this season for an averaged of 15.1 yards per catch with five touchdowns. He's allowing a completion percentage of only 53.2 percent, but a passer rating of 95.6 in his coverage.
The Steelers can't shy away from going after him at the expense of ignoring their best receiver.
But the Ravens also have allowed 65 receptions for 774 yards and seven touchdowns to opposing tight ends, while giving up a league-worsts of 12 passing plays of 40 or more yards and 51 of 20 or more, so Johnson shouldn't be the only pass target. Baltimore is aggressive with its blitzes, but after losing cornerback Marcus Peters to a preseason injury, they haven't covered as well on the back end.
And Humphrey isn't the only Baltimore cornerback who is questionable to play in this game. Anthony Averett, who starts opposite Humphrey, is questionable with shoulder and ankle injuries, as are nickel corner Tavon Young (illness).
The onus will fall on Roethlisberger to find the right matchups against the Ravens' blitz-happy defense -- Baltimore is third in the NFL in blitz percentage at 34.8 percent -- and deliver the ball.
"Coach (Matt Canada) was showing today that Marlon Humphrey kind of does some of the same stuff where he's on the line of scrimmage and the next thing you know he's 20 yards deep. That started probably 20 years ago, even before I got here, with Ed Reed," Roethlisberger said. "He would be at the line of scrimmage when you looked left and when you looked back right, he was gone. You can know your opponent, like everyone talks about. We know them, they know us. But at the end of the day, you really don't because you don't know what to expect."
THE TEN DATA POINTS
• The Ravens have allowed 36 sacks this season, one fewer than the Bears' NFL-worst 37.
• The Ravens lead the NFL at 15.1 yards per punt return. The Steelers allow 8.9 yards per punt return. Devin Duvernay is second in the NFL at 15.1 yards per punt return, second to the Giants' C.J. Board (16.5).
• The Steelers have allowed 29 touchdowns, tied for 10th fewest in the NFL. The Ravens have given up 30. But opposing kickers are just 12 of 16 on field goal attempts against Baltimore. They are 22 of 24 against the Steelers.
• The Ravens lead the NFL in third-down defense, allowing a 30.5 percent conversion rate. The Steelers are seventh at 37.3 percent.
• The Steelers are eighth in the NFL in third-down conversions at 42.6 percent. The Ravens are 25th at 36.6 percent. But Baltimore is 9 of 13 on fourth downs, a 69.2 percent conversion rate that is tied with the Cardinals for highest in the NFL.
• The Ravens are minus-7 in turnover ratio, tied with the Chiefs, Titans and Falcons for third-worst in the NFL. The Steelers are minus-4. The Steelers and Ravens are tied with the Seahawks for third-fewest turnovers forced in the NFL.
• Since Tomlin's first season in 2007, the Steelers are tied for the third-best December record in the NFL at 39-23.
• Harris leads the NFL with 248 touches without a fumble. The next closest player is Alvin Kamara with 178.
• Freiermuth needs one touchdown to match Eric Green (7) for the most by a rookie tight end in team history. His 327 receiving yards are are five behind Dennis Hughes for third-most in team history by a rookie tight end. Green had 387 in 1990, while Heath Miller tops the list with 459 in 2005.
• Over Jackson’s past three games, he has hit just 3 of 18 passes 15 yards or deeper downfield. Before this three-game stretch, he was 22 of 49.
THE FANTASY CORNER
I finished in the money with 126.70 points with Rob Gronkowski posting 22.30 points to lead the way. I need more of that. I'm going try to bounce back. Remember, I'm building a fantasy lineup using Draft Kings and a $50,000 salary cap.
Quarterback: Justin Herbert, Chargers ($6,700) -- The Bengals-Chargers game has over written all over it. And the Chargers should struggle to run, which means they'll have to go to the air.
Running back: Elijah Mitchell, 49ers ($6,000), Jonathan Taylor, Colts ($9,200) -- With Deebo Samuel out, Mitchell should get plenty of volume against a soft Seattle defense. I'm paying up for Taylor because, well, he's been that good.
Wide receiver: Josh Reynolds, Lions ($3,400), Hunter Renfrow, Raiders, ($5,800), Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers, ($5,600) -- Reynolds is an excellent cheap option. He got five targets in his first game with the Lions and should get more moving forward. Renfrow is a solid PPR option every week. With Deebo Samuel out, Aiyuk, who has been coming on, should see a bump in targets.
Tight end: Pat Freiermuth, Steelers ($4,200) -- The Ravens have been one of the worst teams in the NFL covering tight ends this season.
Flex: Javonte Williams, Broncos ($5,500) -- Melvin Gordon is injured this week. Finally, we might get to see what Williams looks like as the feature back.
Defense: Dolphins ($2,900) -- The Dolphins have been on fire defensively of late -- the schedule helps -- and they get to face Mike Glennon this week.
