The Pittsburgh Steelers return home to Acrisure Stadium after back-to-back road victories to face their AFC North rivals. The Baltimore Ravens currently sit at 8-4, but Lamar Jackson is injured for the next game or two with a PCL sprain. Tyler Huntley will once again lead the Ravens against the Steelers as he did once in 2021, but the Steelers expect to face a significantly better version of him. He signed with the Ravens following the 2020 draft, so he is still young and you could reasonably expect him to be more comfortable in the Ravens’ system.
The Steelers have some injury concerns of their own with Diontae Johnson (hip) and TJ Watt (rib) struggling to put together a full practice throughout the week.
This will be Kenny Pickett’s (and other first-year Steelers) first Ravens game as they all look to leave their stamp on one of the league’s best rivalries. Chris Boswell returned from IR, so he will be back kicking. Matthew Wright filled in admirably and likely earned himself a contract elsewhere. He shouldn’t be unemployed for very long.
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STEELERS INACTIVE PLAYERS
QB Mason Rudolph
G Kendrick Green
CB Josh Jackson
ILB Mark Robinson
OLB Malik Reed
RAVENS INACTIVE PLAYERS
QB Lamar Jackson
LB Josh Bynes
G Kevin Zeitler
TE Nick Boyle
TE Charlie Kolar
LB David Ojabo
As expected, Watt and Johnson will play albeit at less than 100%. Kevin Zeitler joins Lamar Jackson as inactive for this game – a significant loss for Baltimore along their offensive line.
START OF GAME
The Ravens start with the ball.
On 1st down the run was stuffed for no gain. An incomplete pass on 2nd down set up 3rd and long. The completion from Huntley to Robinson was good for 9, but short of the line to gain.
The punt went 43 yards and was returned zero yards.
Kenny Pickett scrambled on 1st down for a gain of 4. Those linebackers closed quickly on Pickett. On 2nd and 6, Pickett scrambled again for 13 yards to convert. That should earn him some room in the passing game as the game goes on.
On 1st and 10, Najee Harris rushed for three yards. Another gain of three on 2nd down, so 3rd and 4 coming up. Pickett span away from the first sack, but was cleaned up by Roquan Smith.
The punt went 46 yards and was returned to the 25 yard line. A ton of pressure on Pickett early. The Ravens want to shake the rookie. Steelers cannot allow interior pressure.
Kenny Pickett was slammed to the ground on that sack and appears to be receiving a medical evaluation in the tent. A knee? Possibly a concussion? Unsure right now.
On 1st down, a four yard rush for JK Dobbins. On 2nd, another four yard rush for Dobbins. On 3rd, Huntley scrambled for a yard, but a yard short of the line to gain. Should be another punt unless the Ravens want to get aggressive early. Nice hustle by TJ Watt. Harbaugh challenged the spot. The ruling stood, no first down. Ravens opt to go for it on 4th and inches and they convert with a sneak.
On 1st and 10, Gus Edwards rushed for just one yard. Several Steelers defenders swarmed to the ball there. On 2nd and 9, Robinson rushed for 9 and a first down.
Kenny Pickett is out of the tent and receiving instruction on his film breakdown from the first drive. He appears to be good to go back in. He was evaluated for a concussion, but is good to go.
On 1st and 10, Huntley to Robinson complete for 23 yards running up the sideline. On 1st and 10, Edwards up the middle for 4. On 2nd, a deflection at the line of scrimmage. 3rd and 6, he threw the ball away. Justin Tucker’s field goal was good. 3-0 Ravens.
The kickoff resulted in a touchback.
On 1st and 10, Najee Harris rushed for 5 yards. On 2nd, he rushed for just 1. Pickett incomplete on 3rd with an offensive holding penalty called. The penalty was declined the Steelers will punt.
Just a 17 yard punt for Pressley Harvin with a bad bounce for the Steelers. Ravens start with the ball in Steelers’ territory. Almost as bad as a turnover there. Cannot have that kind of stuff in a high intensity rivalry matchup.
JK Dobbins exploded through the hole right up the middle and into a foot race with Minkah Fitzpatrick. A 44 yard rush. Dobbins in the next play for a touchdown on a 4 yard rush. 10-0 Ravens.
Kenny Pickett is back out of the game and being examined in the locker room per reports on Twitter. Mitch Trubisky is in the game.
On 1st and 10, Trubisky incomplete to Zach Gentry. On 2nd and 10, Najee Harris gained just a yard. An early 3rd and long for Trubisky, complete to Freiermuth for 14 yards and a first down. The next play a massive completion of 42 yards to George Pickens.
Pickens drew a pass interference and Najee Harris punched in the one yard touchdown. 10-7 Ravens.
END OF 1ST QUARTER: 10-7 RAVENS.
On 4th and 1, an aborted snap fumbled and Steelers ball.
On 1st down a pass to Diontae Johnson. The next three plays were rushes for Najee Harris 16 plays and a first down. On 3rd and 1, Trubisky complete on a pass to Najee for 7 yards. Another first down.
A couple neutral zone infractions and the Steelers are in the redzone.
On 2nd and 8, Roquan Smith intercepted Mitch Trubisky’s pass.
The Ravens sustained a 10 play drive capped off by a field goal, so it remains a one possession game. 13-7 Ravens.
Steelers get 1:03 and three timeouts to try for some points before the half. They also regain the ball after halftime. Diontae Johnson made the 1st down grab for 11. The no huddle, Trubisky deep to George Pickens who made a big time catch, his second of the day. Incredible strength by Pickens.
A completion to Gunner Olszewski for 7 yards, but he did not get out of bounds. Timeout #1 taken by the Steelers.
This is a huge redemption chance for Trubisky after that red zone interception.
Another completion, this time to Pat Freiermuth for 9 yards. Timeout #2.
Patrick Queen intercepted Trubisky. Not technically in the red zone this time, but the same outcome. The Ravens kneel the ball and send it to half.
END OF HALF: 13-7 RAVENS.
