Lamar Jackson Leads Ravens in a Stunning Turn of AFC North Drama

The Baltimore Ravens delivered a commanding performance on Saturday, defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers 34-17 in a crucial AFC North matchup. Lamar Jackson, backed by a stellar defensive effort, propelled the Ravens to victory and secured a playoff spot. With this win, the Ravens (10-5) are now tied with the Steelers (10-5) atop the AFC North, adding intrigue to the division’s race.

Lamar Jackson’s Standout Performance

Lamar Jackson shone in what was arguably Baltimore’s most significant game of the season. He threw for three touchdowns and showcased his resilience even after a rare interception. Jackson’s poise under pressure helped the Ravens snap a challenging stretch against their rivals, as they had only managed one win in their previous nine encounters.

Reflecting on the game, Jackson said: “I feel like we’ve been busting our behind all season long, had ups and downs throughout this whole season, but to clinch a playoff against a great team like that, that’s great. That means we’re moving in the right direction.”

With this win, Jackson improved his record to 2-4 against Pittsburgh as a starter, making it his first victory over the Steelers at home since 2020.

Defensive Heroics Seal the Deal

While Jackson led the offense, the Ravens’ defense played a pivotal role. Marlon Humphrey delivered the game’s defining moment with a fourth-quarter interception return for a touchdown, extending Baltimore’s lead and sealing the victory. Humphrey, celebrating the birth of his son Duke, expressed his joy:

“It was cool to get a pick-6, but clinching a spot in the playoffs, to beat the Steelers, I’m just happy that the guys came in, put in the work, and we just took care of business.”

The Ravens’ defense was relentless, recovering three fumbles and securing two crucial takeaways. This effort neutralized a Steelers team known for their impressive +18 turnover margin entering the game.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin acknowledged the Ravens’ dominance: “We didn’t control the run game. We never did. When you don’t, you’ve got to do some splash plays or win the turnover battle in a significant way, and we didn’t do that either.”

Derrick Henry’s Ground Game Dominance

Derrick Henry was a force to be reckoned with, rushing for 162 yards. His 44-yard run in the fourth quarter set up a scoring opportunity, though it ultimately ended in an interception. Henry’s performance adds to an already impressive season, as he surpassed 1,500 rushing yards for the fourth time in his career. He now has 1,636 yards this season, with his only higher total being his 2,027-yard campaign in 2020.

Pivotal Plays and Offensive Highlights

– First Quarter: Lamar Jackson connected with Isaiah Likely for a 9-yard touchdown to open the scoring.

– Second Quarter: A 96-yard drive ended with Jackson finding Rashod Bateman for a 14-yard touchdown.

– Third Quarter: Russell Wilson tied the game twice with touchdown passes to MyCole Pruitt and Cordarrelle Patterson. However, Jackson’s response—a 7-yard touchdown pass to Mark Andrews—gave Baltimore the edge.

Ar’Darius Washington’s punishing hit on Wilson during a pivotal second-quarter play caused a fumble, recovered by Kyle Van Noy, that shifted momentum in Baltimore’s favor.

Milestones Achieved

– Lamar Jackson: Set a Ravens franchise record with his 37th touchdown pass of the season and reached a career-high 3,787 passing yards.

– Zay Flowers: Surpassed 1,000 receiving yards this season, hauling in five catches for 100 yards.

– Derrick Henry: Reached 1,500 rushing yards for the fourth time in his career.

Injury Updates

– Steelers: CB Joey Porter Jr. (calf) and WR Ben Skowronek (hip) exited the game with injuries.

– Ravens: RB Justice Hill left due to a concussion.

What’s Next for the Ravens?

With this crucial win, the Ravens have momentum heading into the final weeks of the season. Clinching a playoff berth provides some breathing room, but their eyes are firmly set on winning the AFC North. Their remaining games will be critical in determining seeding and preparing for the postseason.

Meanwhile, the Steelers, who also clinched a playoff spot prior to this matchup, must regroup and address weaknesses exposed by Baltimore to remain competitive.