Here’s how The Baltimore Sun sports staff views the outcome of Saturday’s Week 16 game between the Ravens (9-5) and Steelers (10-4) at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore:
Brian Wacker, reporter
Ravens 20, Steelers 17: The last time these two met, Baltimore had a dozen penalties and three turnovers and still only lost by two. That alone is reason to believe the Ravens can finally end their run of misery against the Steelers, who have won eight of the past nine meetings. Pittsburgh is also coming off a short week after getting beat up by the Philadelphia Eagles, while Baltimore had essentially what amounted to a 7-on-7 scrimmage against a borderline NFL-level team in the New York Giants. Steelers star edge rusher T.J. Watt is also banged up and wide receiver George Pickens is out, while Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and the rest of the offense are refreshed. After not scoring 20 points in each of their past eight against Pittsburgh, Baltimore will get there this time — and that will be enough.
Childs Walker, reporter
Ravens 27, Steelers 20: The Ravens have looked like the better team going into almost every matchup with Pittsburgh over the past five years, but the Steelers have owned them in close game after close game. Picking the Ravens makes you Charlie Brown lining up to kick that next ball. At some point, Lamar Jackson has to break through with a great performance against his AFC North nemesis, and this feels like the occasion. The Ravens can run on Pittsburgh and stop the Steelers’ determined running game. Their offensive upside is far greater. They played perhaps their worst all-around game of the season in the first matchup and still lost by just two. They’ll finally get it done at home with a division title hanging in the balance.
Mike Preston, columnist
Ravens 21, Steelers 17: This appears to be the perfect time for the Pittsburgh collapse. The Steelers, like the Ravens, were manhandled by the Philadelphia Eagles, 27-13, in the battle of Pennsylvania last week and now they must face Baltimore on the road in a short week. It’s the perfect time for the Ravens to beat Pittsburgh, which has won eight of the past nine matchups. Plus, Pittsburgh has to play Kansas City on Christmas Day. It’s a near-perfect scenario for the Ravens to win the game and capture the AFC North title. In addition, the Steelers aren’t fully healthy, while the Ravens basically had the week off against an undermanned Giants team last week.
C.J. Doon, editor
Ravens 26, Steelers 16: It’s usually a war of attrition this time of year. George Pickens is out again, robbing Pittsburgh of its most talented playmaker. T.J. Watt is fighting through an ankle injury, perhaps limiting his ability to wreak havoc in Baltimore’s backfield. Defensive backs DeShon Elliott and Donte Jackson might be sidelined, too. Meanwhile, Rashod Bateman is in a walking boot, Nelson Agholor is in concussion protocol and three other Ravens starters are banged up. It would be nice to have Diontae Johnson available this week, wouldn’t it? Maybe his loss is rookie Devontez Walker’s gain. Regardless, Baltimore should win this one so long as it keeps its cool and avoids costly turnovers and penalties. Easier said than done in this rivalry game, especially with the AFC North title at stake, but it feels like Lamar Jackson and company are ready to make a statement and finish the season strong.
Tim Schwartz, editor
Ravens 24, Steelers 21: Is this the Justin Tucker redemption game? It would be a good time for it, that’s for sure. As the others have mentioned, the Ravens played perhaps their worst game of the year in Pittsburgh and nearly won. They almost certainly couldn’t play worse with the talent they have, but these games have a knack for going sideways. I think Baltimore has learned its lesson by now and will fully grasp the importance of playing disciplined and not getting out of sorts. Or maybe I will eat these words Saturday night. A healthy and eager Lamar Jackson will solve the Steelers’ defense at some point, and I think it starts Saturday at M&T Bank Stadium with Tucker making a game-winning kick.
Bennett Conlin, editor
Ravens 28, Steelers 17: The Ravens rank first in the NFL in DVOA, suggesting they’re more of a Super Bowl contender than their 9-5 record indicates. Baltimore’s last loss to Pittsburgh was defined by errors, with the Ravens racking up 12 penalties, three turnovers and two missed field goal attempts. The Ravens still only lost that game 18-16 on the road. Pittsburgh is exceptional at finding ways to win, but the Steelers aren’t a legitimate Super Bowl contender, as Philadelphia made clear last week in a 27-13 dismantling of Mike Tomlin’s team. Baltimore makes a statement Saturday at home.