The NFL’s current playoff format only awards one bye week in each conference, but Saturday night in Baltimore was about as close as a team will get to a second.
In a matchup between hated rivals, the Ravens melted the Steelers in dominating fashion, 28-14. The final score indicates a game that was closer than it was in reality, as Baltimore had this one wrapped up by the end of the first quarter.
They were up 21-0 at the half, possessed the ball for over 20 of the opening 30 minutes, ran 23 more plays and were out-gaining Pittsburgh, 308-59. Like in all blowout games, the Steelers managed to make it a little more respectable in the second half, staging what amounted to be a fake comeback.
Even on cruise control, the Ravens were never in danger of dropping the wild card game on a night that belongs to Lamar Jackson.
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Chants of ‘MVP’ rained down from the crowd with a performance that was worthy of the honor. Jackson totaled 14 carries for 82 yards, with 11 for 64 in the first half. Derrick Henry also ran wild, posting 26 carries for 186 yards, two touchdowns and one angry run highlight.
The No. 3 seed has now won five in a row and marches into the divisional round as one of the league’s hottest teams. They’ll now turn their attention to Sunday’s action in Buffalo.
If the Bills win, Baltimore is off to western New York for a battle against Josh Allen. If Bo Nix and the Broncos pull off the upset, the Ravens will host the Texans with a spot in the AFC Championship Game on the line.
Here’s how the action unfolded from Baltimore in what was a beatdown from start to finish.
Steelers turnover on downs
The Ravens are playing like this game was over hours ago, leaving the door cracked open for the Steelers to walk through. Unfortunately for Pittsburgh, they are like a dog trying to bring a big stick through a narrow door frame. Despite the opportunities, Pittsburgh can’t capitalize as they turn it over on downs in what was likely their last chance. Russell Wilson’s prayer is left unanswered as the pass to Calvin Austin III falls incomplete in the end zone.
End of third quarter: Ravens remain in control, Steelers staging comeback
The gap has closed, but not enough. Baltimore is up by 14 heading to the final quarter and will be on the receiving end of a Pittsburgh punt to start it off.
Why was the Ravens-Steelers game delayed?
The game was delayed for a few minutes thanks a drone that was flying near the stadium, according to the broadcast. It was not because Justin Fields entered the game.
Ravens-Steelers score: George Pickens TD keeps Pittsburgh in it
You can take George Pickens off the milk carton. He’s been spotted in the Baltimore end zone.
The receiver hauled in a 36-yard touchdown pass from Russell Wilson, cutting the deficit to 14, once again. Ravens 28, Steelers 14
Ravens-Steelers score: Derrick Henry TD extends the lead
For a moment, it seemed like the Steelers were going to find a way back into this one. Then everyone was dealt a dose of reality as Derrick Henry scampered for the 44-yard rushing score. Baltimore is back up three scores with just under six minutes to go in the third quarter. Ravens 28, Steelers 7
Ravens-Steelers score: Steelers finally answer on Russell Wilson TD pass
The Steelers are showing some mettle.
Pittsburgh came out of the break seemingly a bit refocused, deciding to sling the ball around a little bit more. Following a couple of big passes to Calvin Austin and Mike Williams, Russell Wilson found Van Jefferson in the end zone for a touchdown. That gives them their first score of the game, showing some signs of offensive life. Ravens 21, Steelers 7
Ravens-Steelers score: Lamar Jackson finds Justice Hill for TD
WBAL: All Ravens, all the time.
The Ravens made a mockery of the Steelers defense in the first half of their wild card matchup with their AFC North rival. Whether it was by run or pass, Baltimore dominated the matchup for 30 minutes, capping off a masterpiece of a half with a Lamar Jackson to Justice Hill touchdown pass.
That put the Ravens up 21-0 with two seconds left before the break.
Kirk Herbstreit sounds off on Steelers’ effort
The Steelers claim to be a proud franchise. In the eyes of Kirk Herbstreit, they’re just going through the motions in this first half.
It’s hard to argue with that assessment, as the Ravens have done whatever they want, whenever they want. Barring some fight in the second half, there will be plenty of questions surrounding a team that lost four in a row coming into the playoffs.
Lamar Jackson rushing stats: Ravens QB running all over Steelers
Jackson is making sure that no one can mention his struggles against the Steelers again in this first half. The quarterback is having his way in the running game, carrying the ball 11 times for 64 yards with just over four minutes to go in the second quarter.
He’s only managed to go over the century mark once this season, but stands a good chance at getting there tonight, if they don’t pull him first in what’s trending towards a blowout win.
Lamar Jackson teeth: Ravens QB wearing real diamond grills
Look good, feel good, play good. Jackson must be a firm believer in that, as he’s dominating the Steelers in the first half and giving fans plenty of chances to check out the diamonds in his mouth.
As he told Amazon Prime’s Ryan Fitzpatrick earlier this season, they are real. They are also removeable, but the tooth fairy would certainly like to get a hand on them.
Ravens-Steelers score: Derrick Henry hits pay dirt with TD
The Ravens are sending offensive football back to the future.
It was a 13-play, 85-yard scoring drive for the Ravens. What’s notable about it: Not a single pass was thrown on the drive. Instead, Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry dominated the Steelers on the ground, with 13 rushes – the final one was good for six. Ravens 14, Steelers 0
End of the first quarter: Ravens up a touchdown and looking for more
A fast-paced opening quarter comes to a close with Baltimore driving again, looking to add to their 7-0 lead. They’ve dominated time of possession, having the ball for 9:47 and out-gaining the Steelers, 128-27. This is a good old-fashioned whooping so far in the Charm City.
Steelers can’t respond after Ravens TD
If you blinked after the Ravens’ touchdown, you missed the Steelers’ second drive. A quick three-and-out gives the ball right back to Baltimore as they look to break this one open early.
What do Ravens fans chant after a touchdown?
The Ravens fans in attendance have joined the Jets and Eagles in flexing their ability to spell. After the touchdown, a loud R-A-V-E-N-S chant echoes through the Baltimore night. It’s probably not enough to be spelling bee champions, but that does the trick for the fans in a celebratory mood.
Ravens-Steelers score: Rashod Bateman TD caps impressive opening drive
So far, this isn’t a fair fight.
The Ravens used 13 plays to march 95 yards and took 7:13 off the clock as Rashod Bateman finished it off with a 15-yard touchdown reception. There was plenty of talk about Lamar Jackson’s struggles against the Steelers this week, but the quarterback toyed with Pittsburgh’s defense, running on five consecutive plays for a total of 22 yards.
Derrick Henry’s vicious stiff-arm has set the tone in what was a dominant opening drive from the home side. Ravens 7, Steelers 0
Steelers offense can’t get anything going on opening drive
We are underway from Baltimore and the Pittsburgh offense continues to be a mess.
They picked up a first down, but shuffled in Justin Fields for a play, had a drop from Pat Freiermuth and a short scramble from Russell Wilson packed into the six-play drive.
The Ravens nearly found disaster on the punt, however, with Steven Sims having the ball bang off his helmet. He picked it up, but Baltimore starts deep in their own territory on this chilly Saturday night.
Ravens vs. Steelers start time
Start time: 8 p.m. ET (7 p.m. CT)
The Ravens and Steelers are set for kickoff on Saturday night at 8 p.m. ET. The Steelers travel to M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore to take on their division rival.
Ravens inactives vs. Steelers
Zay Flowers headlines the list since he’s sitting this one out with a knee injury. Other than that, no real surprises from Baltimore:
WR Zay Flowers
S Beau Brade
RB Rasheen Ali
S Marcus Williams
LB Adisa Isaac
C Nick Samac
WR Keith Kirkwood
Steelers inactives vs. Ravens
The Steelers will be without their starting right guard in tonight’s contest, Mason McCormick, after he broke his hand in the Week 18 season finale. Spencer Anderson is likely to get the start in his place. Here is the list of inactives on Pittsburgh’s side:
QB Kyle Allen (emergency QB)
WR Scotty Miller
WR Jamal Agnew
CB Cory Trice Jr.
OL Mason McCormick
LB Preston Smith
DE Dean Lowry
Ravens vs. Steelers odds, moneyline, over/under
The Ravens are favorites to defeat the Steelers, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Not interested in this game? Check out expert picks and best bets for every NFL game this week.
Spread: Ravens (-9.5)
Moneyline: Ravens (-600); Steelers (+425)
Over/under: 43.5
Ravens vs. Steelers live stream
Live stream: Amazon Prime Video.
For cord cutters looking for a live stream for the matchup, you can turn to Amazon Prime. Amazon Prime Video is the exclusive streaming home of the Ravens-Steelers matchup.
ESPN+, the proprietary streaming service of ESPN, will also carry the game.
Do I need an Amazon account to watch Steelers-Ravens?
Yes, Amazon Prime Video has the streaming rights to the game and is the primary option to watch. Exceptions include the local Baltimore and Pittsburgh areas.
What channel is Ravens vs. Steelers on?
Live stream: Amazon Prime
TV channel (local markets): ABC 2 (Baltimore market) | WPXI, channel 11 (Pittsburgh market)
For a national audience, the Ravens-Steelers matchup will air on Amazon Prime.
For viewers in the Baltimore market, the game will air on ABC 2. For those in the Steelers TV market, WPXI will carry the matchup.
What NFL playoff games are this weekend?
Six NFL playoff games will be played as part of the league’s wild-card weekend. They are as follows, by conference:
AFC wild-card games
2. Buffalo Bills (13-4) vs. 7. Denver Broncos (10-7)
3. Baltimore Ravens (12-5) vs. 6. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
4. Houston Texans (10-7) vs. 5. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6)
NFC wild-card games
2. Philadelphia Eagles (14-3) vs. 7. Green Bay Packers (11-6)
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7) vs. 6. Washington Commanders (12-5)
4. Los Angeles Rams (10-7) vs. 5. Minnesota Vikings (14-3)
Ravens vs. Steelers predictions, picks
Here’s how the USA TODAY Sports staff feels the Ravens-Steelers wild-card matchup will go:
Lorenzo Reyes: Ravens 26, Steelers 21
Tyler Dragon: Ravens 27, Steelers 19
Jordan Mendoza: Ravens 30, Steelers 19
Mike Tomlin playoff record
Tomlin has coached in a total of 18 NFL playoff games, including two Super Bowl appearances (and one win).
Here’s his full playoff record since taking over as Pittsburgh’s head coach in 2007, broken down by year and cumulatively:
2007: 0-1; lost in wild card round
2008: 3-0; Super Bowl 43 champions
2010: 2-1; lost in Super Bowl 45
2011: 0-1; lost in wild card round
2014: 0-1; lost in wild card round
2015: 1-1; lost in divisional round
2016: 2-1; lost in AFC championship game
2017: 0-1; lost in divisional round
2020: 0-1; lost in wild card round
2021: 0-1; lost in wild card round
2023: 0-1; lost in wild card round
Overall: 8-10
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Which NFL team has the most Super Bowl wins?
The Steelers are tied with the New England Patriots for the most Super Bowl wins with six.
Pittsburgh and Dallas have the unique distinction of playing each other more than any other team combination in Super Bowl history with three matchups.
NFL franchises with the most Super Bowl wins:
New England Patriots — 6
Pittsburgh Steelers — 6
Dallas Cowboys — 5
San Francisco 49ers — 5
Green Bay Packers — 4
Kansas City Chiefs — 4
New York Giants — 4
➤ Super Bowl winners: All-time scores, results for NFL title game
Ravens vs. Steelers best bets
Looking to make this wild card playoff game interesting? Here are some of the best bets for the matchup:
Russell Wilson UNDER 14.5 rushing yards (-110)
George Pickens OVER 55.5 receiving yards (-110)
Isaiah Likely anytime TD (+275)
Lamar Jackson stats vs. Steelers
Jackson has generally struggled against the Steelers during his NFL career. He has thrown nine interceptions against Pittsburgh – his most against any team – and has a passer rating of just 73.1 against the Steelers, his lowest against any team.
Pittsburgh has also never allowed Jackson to run for a touchdown in his eight games (six starts) against them.
Below is a full look at Jackson’s stats against his arch-rival.
Completion rate: 109-188 (57.98%)
Passing yards: 1,284
Passing TDs: 8
INTs: 9
Yards per attempt: 6.83
Passer rating: 71.3
Carries: 66
Rushing yards: 330
Rushing TDs: 0
Yards per carry: 5.0
Ravens vs. Steelers weather updates
It’s going to be a windy evening in Baltimore. According to the AccuWeather forecast, it will be near 30 degrees at kickoff with a feels-like temperature of 17 degrees. There’s a 0% chance of precipitation, but more importantly, the wind will be a factor with gusts maxing out at 27 MPH throughout the game.
Who are the Ravens vs. Steelers announcers for Amazon Prime Video?
Al Michaels (play-by-play) and Kirk Herbstreit (analyst) will be in the broadcast booth for Prime Video, with Kaylee Hartung (sideline) and Terry McAulay (rules analyst) providing additional coverage.
The Prime Video pregame, halftime and postgame shows feature Charissa Thompson as host, as well as former NFL players Ryan Fitzpatrick, Tony Gonzalez, Richard Sherman and Andrew Whitworth as analysts.
Taylor Rooks is the feature reporter for Prime Video’s coverage. Albert Breer provides reports and analysis.
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