According to Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, there are “villains on both sides” in the rivalry between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens.
However, Lamar Jackson has yet to be given the opportunity to become one of those villains. Jackson has won two NFL MVP honors in his seventh season, which is more than his victories over the Steelers. He is 1-3 as a starter against Pittsburgh going into Sunday’s game at Acrisure Stadium. Jackson nodded when asked if he is bothered by the lack of achievement in this intense battle. “Definitely,” he replied. “But I’m good right now because I have an opportunity to face them this year.”
It’s possible that Jackson is more than “good.” With one of the most explosive attacks in the NFL, the 27-year-old quarterback leads the league in both passer rating and touchdown passes. Tomlin, the NFL’s longest-tenured head coach, has called Jackson “Mr. Jackson” multiple times this week, in part because Jackson seems to be playing at his best. According to Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, there are “villains on both sides” in the rivalry between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens.
However, Lamar Jackson has yet to be given the opportunity to become one of those villains. Jackson has won two NFL MVP honors in his seventh season, which is more than his victories over the Steelers. He is 1-3 as a starter against Pittsburgh going into Sunday’s game at Acrisure Stadium. Jackson nodded when asked if he is bothered by the lack of achievement in this intense battle. “Definitely,” he replied. “But I’m good right now because I have an opportunity to face them this year.” It’s possible that Jackson is more than “good.” With one of the most explosive attacks in the NFL, the 27-year-old quarterback leads the league in both passer rating and touchdown passes. Tomlin, the NFL’s longest-tenured head coach, has called Jackson “Mr. Jackson” multiple times this week, in part because Jackson seems to be playing at his best.
“He presents a challenge,” Tomlin remarked. “He presents a challenge in every situation.”
The Steelers (7-2) have, however, frequently succeeded where others have failed when they play him. Against Pittsburgh, Jackson has failed to score a rushing touchdown. He has been intercepted seven times and has thrown four touchdown passes. Cam Heyward, a veteran defensive end for the Steelers, is unsure if his team has managed to stop Jackson, who is essentially the equivalent of a cheat code in football. Heyward remarked, “It’s not like he’s not dicing us up.”
“You try to contain his incredible talent, but you can never do it.” In many respects, Jackson and the Ravens (7-3) are ready for a spectacular game, but they will face up against the second-ranked scoring defense in the NFL. In contrast to previous years when every first down, let alone touchdown, felt difficult to come by, Pittsburgh thinks its defense has the means to stay competitive if that occurs. Since Russell Wilson’s calf injury recovery last month, the Steelers have been playing better. Pittsburgh’s offense averages 30 points per game, and the team has won all three of his games. Wilson stated, “I think we can definitely score points and do some special things.”
Late in last week’s 28-27 victory over Washington, Wilson flashed a hint of what might be. Wilson set up a route in the mud and dragged newly acquired wide receiver Mike Williams away on Pittsburgh’s second-to-last possession. Wilson then sent a long pass to Williams, who caught it for the game-winning score. Zach Frazier, a rookie center, couldn’t stop thinking about this offense’s potential as he watched the play develop. Frazier remarked, “That play alone was special.” “It’s cool to be able to come back in close games like that.”
We seem to be headed in the right direction. However, the Ravens want to halt that advancement. “It’s always the same goal; we want to win,” Jackson said. Our objective heading into this game will be to win because we want to be the ones that do so.
