The Baltimore Ravens need to win their Week 14 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. Since starting 1-5, the players have consistently said they approach every game like a playoff game, but this upcoming matchup is as close to a must-have game as you can get.
The stakes are clear. The winner will take ownership of first place in the AFC North and a significant tiebreaker, while the loser will fall to second and immediately see their season be put back on life support. Momentum plays a huge role this deep in the year, and the Ravens need that positive momentum swing with a tough road ahead.
Here are three keys to the game for the Ravens to take home a deadlock-breaking win over the Steelers in Week 14.
3 keys for Ravens to beat Steelers
3 words: Feed Derrick Henry
Ravens fans have been talking about it all week. Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken needs to find a way to give more carries to running back Derrick Henry. Somehow, Henry only saw 10 carries in last week’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, despite running through their defense on the opening touchdown drive. On Sunday, Monken needs to force Henry into action early and often.
Henry’s role in the offense should already be significant, but the fact that Pittsburgh’s run defense allowed 249 rushing yards to the Buffalo Bills in Week 13 makes it crystal clear he needs to be the focus.
Add in the fact that the passing offense has been lackluster and quarterback Lamar Jackson is banged up, and you have the perfect recipe to unleash Henry for the most carries he has seen all year.
Hold onto the football, don’t try to do too much
The Ravens know the Steelers love to punch the football out. They kicked off their practice week by working on ball protection drills, and are doing everything in their power to make sure the league-leading forced fumble team does not take advantage of their fumbling woes.
Most of the time, Baltimore’s fumbles come on occasions where the ball carriers are trying to do too much. Last week, those mishaps came in the form of tight end Isaiah Likely trying to extend the ball over the goal line and quarterback Lamar Jackson being hesitant and taking too long in the pocket.
Sometimes it is best to take your yards and go down. If the Ravens do not learn from their mistakes, Pittsburgh’s defense will be hunting that football all day long.
Win the turnover battle
Winning the turnover battle is key to any win, but for Baltimore’s defense, they need to stay aggressive all day against quarterback Aaron Rodgers and company. The Steelers are second in the NFL in turnovers forced with 22, and with the Ravens’ offense struggling to control the football, they will need some game-changing plays from the defense.
Sunday has the makings for a classic Ravens/Steelers showdown, where each offense has to grind it out against a feisty defense. With both offenses in a rut, splash plays may come few and far between, making the performance of the defenses that much more critical.
Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr’s unit has forced a turnover in seven straight games. Look for that to continue in Week 14.
If Baltimore does each of these things, there should be a strong chance they move to 7-6 by the time the game ends.