For weeks, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has been the NFL’s most exciting player. Leading the league's top-ranked offense, he has consistently dominated defenses, racking up impressive stats and generating MVP discussions along the way.
The Ravens have leaned on their quarterback to pile up points, and Jackson has delivered, combining his elite arm talent with his signature scrambling ability to keep defenders guessing.
But in Week 11, the Pittsburgh Steelers accomplished what no other team had managed this season: they made Lamar Jackson look human.
Mike Tomlin and the Pittsburgh Steelers made Lamar Jackson look human
The Steelers have long been a thorn in Jackson’s side, and Sunday’s clash in Pittsburgh was no different. While Jackson entered the game with a league-best 141.4 passer rating from his Week 10 performance against Cincinnati, the Steelers reduced him to a pedestrian 66.1 passer rating.
Jackson completed just 16 of 33 passes for 207 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. It was his lowest completion percentage of the season, and his inability to find a rhythm was emblematic of the Ravens’ broader struggles.
Penalties, missed field goals, and a costly turnover compounded the misery. A fourth-quarter interception by Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson all but sealed the Ravens’ fate.
Lamar Jackson is "annoyed" with the offense/team hurting themselves in big time games. For multiple seasons now. 3 turnovers and 12 penalties against Pittsburgh today. pic.twitter.com/8SOPswLHNI
— Morgan Adsit (@MorganAdsit) November 17, 2024
Baltimore managed just 16 points, their lowest total of the year, and turned the ball over three times, including Jackson’s pick and a fumble by running back Derrick Henry on the opening drive. Despite a late rally and a touchdown pass to Zay Flowers, Jackson couldn’t lead his team to a game-winning score.
This isn’t the first time the Steelers have stymied Jackson. In fact, Pittsburgh has been his kryptonite throughout his career. The Ravens’ star quarterback is now 1-4 as a starter against the Steelers, a glaring anomaly in an otherwise brilliant career.
Against Pittsburgh, Jackson has thrown more interceptions (8) than touchdowns (5), a stark contrast to his dominance against the rest of the league.
On Sunday, the Steelers didn’t rely on a flashy game plan or a barrage of exotic blitzes. Instead, they executed their assignments with surgical precision, forcing Jackson into uncomfortable situations. The defensive front limited his rushing opportunities, holding him to 46 yards on the ground, and the secondary blanketed his receivers, preventing explosive plays.
The Steelers clearly demonstrated their ability to take advantage of the Ravens' mistakes. Every blunder, be it a penalty, a fumble, or a missed field goal, seemed to lead to points for Pittsburgh. Chris Boswell’s six field goals highlight this point: the Ravens hurt themselves just as much as the Steelers defeated them.
Jackson, ever the competitor, was visibly frustrated after the game. “We’ve been putting up all these points this season. That’s annoying,” he said.
For the Steelers, it’s proof that their mastery over Jackson is a trend. For the Ravens, this loss is a wake-up call. They need to be better.