This Content Is Only For Subscribers
The Baltimore Ravens hosted the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card round of the 2024 NFL playoffs. This is the first time in Lamar Jackson’s career that he is going against a divisional opponent in the postseason. The Ravens previously met the Bengals in the 2022 Wild Card round, but Jackson did not play due to injury.
The Ravens were without wide receiver Zay Flowers due to a knee injury. Running back Justice Hill made his return after missing the last two regular season games. The Steelers were without guard Mason McCormick due to a broken hand.
The Steelers had the ball first but it was a quick three and out. The Ravens began their opening drive at their own five-yard line. They knew that the defense would make it their mission to not allow Derrick Henry to run the ball.
Not allowing Henry to run is one thing, but Jackson is another lethal runner. He had several runs on the opening drive, totaling up to 22 rushing yards. Henry then ran for 12 yards as they continued moving down the field. He then had a 34-yard run that included him stiff arming the defender.
They faced a third and long after a tackle for loss. Jackson found Rashod Bateman in the endzone for the touchdown. Pittsburgh got the ball back, but the possession ended quickly after failing to convert on third down.
Fortunately, the defense forced the Ravens to punt after failing to convert on third and long. But the offense continued to be stagnant as they could not get a first down. They faced a 4th and 1 (inches) with a chance to extend the drive if it was converted. Shockingly, they decided to punt.
The next two drives for Baltimore ended in them scoring touchdowns. The game plan was simple: run the football. Pittsburgh could not contain Henry or Jackson. The first half ended with the Ravens up 21-0. It was the same story for the Steelers in the last few Wild Card games; being shut out in the first half.
Baltimore got the ball to start in the second half, but the defense was able to force the punt. The Steelers got the ball at their own two-yard line. They only gained one yard and faced a third down. Russell Wilson was able to avoid being sacked for a safety and found Calvin Austin for a 19-yard gain.
They started moving down the field and faced another third down. Wilson found Mike Williams for a 37-yard gain. A few plays later, Wilson found Van Jefferson for a 30 yard touchdown. It was their first points of the game, and the offense was finally clicking.
The Ravens answered with a touchdown of their down after Henry ran 44 yards to the end zone. But the Steelers were not going away that easily as Wilson found Geroge Pickens for a 36-yard touchdown on the next drive. They never faced a third down, and they were showing life.
The Ravens did not score again after the 44-yard rushing touchdown, but the Steelers could not make the game any closer. On their last possession of the game, they faced a 4th and 15. Knowing that they needed to cut into the lead, they decided to go for it. The pass was incomplete, and it was a turnover on downs.
Even though the Ravens only scored seven points in the second half, they did enough on both sides of the ball to end the game. They won the game 28-14, and advanced to the divisional round. This is the sixth consecutive loss in the Wild Card round for the Steelers.
Russell Wilson finished with 20 completions out of 29 attempts for 270 yards and two touchdowns. George Pickens finished with five receptions for 87 yards and one touchdown.
Lamar Jackson finished with 16 completions out of 21 attempts for 175 yards and two touchdowns. He also had 81 rushing yards, passing Steve Young for the most rushing yards by a quarterback in NFL postseason history. Derrick Henry finished with 26 carries for 186 yards and two touchdowns.
Photo Courtesy: @ravens/X