New Year's Day in the NFL wraps up with an AFC North showdown as the Pittsburgh Steelers will make the five-hour journey along Interstate 70 to battle the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Baltimore gave their fans an early Christmas present, booking their place in the postseason thanks to a 17-9 victory over the Atlanta Falcons, while the Steelers are still in the hunt for a playoff berth following a late touchdown last Saturday against the Las Vegas Raiders, winning 13-10.
Match preview
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With their star quarterback out through injury, the Ravens have reverted to what made them a successful franchise in the early 2000s, their defence, allowing fewer than 15 points in six of their last seven encounters.
They have been particularly sharp along the line of scrimmage, allowing a mere 3.8 yards per carry to opposing backs on the year, the third-lowest total in the NFL, while sitting fifth in sacks with 44.
In the secondary, they are middle of the pack, allowing a sub-90 rating to opposing QBs, and they are tied for fifth in interceptions (14), though they have not had one in back-to-back contests.
Even though John Harbaugh's team have struggled to convert third downs, they have stepped it up in the running game, despite arguably their best rusher being on the sidelines, as Baltimore have collected just shy of 600 yards rushing in their last three games combined.
That has come in handy, seeing as the Ravens have thrown for fewer than 150 yards passing in their last four games, including a mere 94 when they faced Pittsburgh earlier this month.
They are 2-0 at home against their division this season, though they have lost their last two games in Charm City to the Steelers.
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It was an emotional Christmas weekend for Steeler Nation following the passing of legendary running back Franco Harris, and the man that made the famous "Immaculate Reception" in the 1972 playoffs would have been proud of how Pittsburgh came from behind to beat the Raiders last Saturday.
While a late TD grab on Christmas Eve kept Mike Tomlin's team alive in the postseason battle, his defence is probably most responsible for their turnaround, conceding fewer than 18 points in the last five games, winning on four occasions.
A defeat on Sunday would drop them to 7-9, guaranteeing the first losing season for this franchise since 2019, but more importantly, it would eliminate them from playoff contention should the Miami Dolphins also win.
Since the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger at the end of 2021, this team have struggled to fill his massive shoes, averaging a mere 17.6 points per game on the season, the third-lowest total in the league, while they rank 23rd in yards per game.
After allowing over 200 yards on the ground to Baltimore three games ago, they have done a much better job plugging those holes, allowing just 21 total yards against the Carolina Panthers and holding the top rusher in the NFL, Josh Jacobs, to a 2.9-yard average last weekend.
Coming into this game, Pittsburgh have won their last three road outings, and should they manage another one on Sunday, it would be the first time they captured four straight away games since the 2020 campaign.
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Team News
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Ravens backup QB Tyler Huntley has thrown for under 200 yards in his last three games, though he did not toss an interception versus the Falcons and hit Demarcus Robinson for a touchdown, while Gus Edwards ran for 99 yards, averaging nine per carry and Mark Andrews led them with three catches for 45 yards.
Patrick Queen and Brandon Stephens each had a half sack last weekend, Justin Madubuike managed one, while Marlon Humphrey and Roquan Smith combined to make 14 tackles.
Lamar Jackson might be healthy enough to return from his knee injury, Geno Stone has a pulled hamstring, DeSean Jackson is sick and Calais Campbell could also be out due to an issue with his knee.
Kenny Pickett threw for 244 yards on Christmas Eve, hitting George Pickens for a game-winning score late in the fourth quarter, Najee Harris could only manage 53 yards on 16 carries, while Connor Heyward preserved the victory with a 21-yard run to end the game.
Pat Freiermuth led them with seven catches for 66 yards versus Vegas, Diontae Johnson caught five balls for 64 yards, Cameron Heyward had a pair of sacks, while Arthur Maulet, Cameron Sutton and Minkah Fitzpatrick each picked up an interception.
Terrell Edmunds is questionable due to personal reasons, as is Myles Jack, Larry Ogunjobi might not be available due to a sore toe, while Tre Norwood is expected to miss this contest because of a hamstring injury.
Head To Head
These teams have a real hatred for one another with many classical showdowns, including the previous encounter at M&T Bank Stadium in January of last season.
That is when Chase Claypool had a six-yard TD catch, and Chris Boswell kicked three field goals as the Steelers won 16-13 in overtime.
Pittsburgh are 32-25-0 all-time against the Ravens franchise, though it was Baltimore who emerged victorious at Heinz Field in a 2015 AFC Wild Card encounter as Justin Tucker booted four field goals, Bernard Pierce ran for a score, while Joe Flacco threw touchdown passes to Crockett Gillmore and Torrey Smith, helping them win 30-17.
In 2008, these teams faced off in the AFC Championship game when the Steelers won 23-14 thanks to a 65-yard touchdown catch by Santonio Holmes, three field goals by Jeff Reed and a pick-six from Troy Polamalu as Pittsburgh would go on to capture the Super Bowl later that season.
The Ravens came out on the winning side earlier this season, beating Pittsburgh 16-14 when Tucker had three field goals, and JK Dobbins ran for a four-yard score.
We say: Baltimore Ravens 17-20 Pittsburgh Steelers
The status of Lamar Jackson could be a game changer given his running ability, but the Pittsburgh defence should not have much difficulty containing the Ravens receivers, while their defensive line is full of confidence given the calibre of running backs which they have shut down in recent weeks.
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Joel Lefevre
