Zay Flowers

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JANUARY 04: Zay Flowers #4 of the Baltimore Ravens runs with the ball after a catch during the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium on January 04, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Rashod Bateman can flourish as WR1, but there’s nothing like having Zay Flowers on the outside. Flowers is out with a knee injury, leaving Baltimore without one of the NFL’s most explosive and dazzling pass catchers. Nelson Agholor, Isaiah Likely, and Mark Andrews can all pick up the slack, but the absence of Flowers will be key.

Ravens-Steelers postseason history

Dec 21, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) catches a pass along the sideline in front of Baltimore Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins (2) during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

This will be the fifth postseason meeting between the Steelers and Ravens. Pittsburgh lost just one of those against Baltimore in the last 2014 Wild Card round meeting. Since 1996, Pittsburgh leads the series 36-26, including the four playoff matchups. Pittsburgh won six of the first seven meetings. The Steelers also have won eight of the last 10 games. But Baltimore won most recently, a 34-17 victory at home in Week 16. Mike Tomlin is now 22-17 against the Ravens. John Harbaugh is 16-21 against Pittsburgh. In Baltimore, the Steelers are 15-14 but have won four of the past five and six of the past eight at M&T Bank Stadium.

Ravens have to protect the football

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 21: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens looks to pass while pressured bt T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on December 21, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Pittsburgh tied the Bills for the league lead in fumble recoveries with 16, while Baltimore only had five. However, only the Bills and Chargers had fewer giveaways than Baltimore (11). 

Curse of Lamar Jackson’s playoff struggles

Dec 21, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) scrambles during the first quarter pressured by Pittsburgh Steelers tackle Keeanu Benton (95) at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images

Jackson is the only quarterback in NFL history with multiple MVP awards without a Super Bowl victory. He has a 2-4 postseason record and has nine turnovers in those four games. In Jackson’s four playoff losses, the Ravens have averaged 10.5 points and didn’t once exceed 20 points scored. Jackson has completed 57.4% of his playoff passes but averages 86.8 rushing yards in the postseason. Jackson is one of six quarterbacks since the 1970 merger, with 25 or more targets and a .700 or better winning percentage. He has a .745 winning percentage in the regular season compared to .333 in the playoffs- the most significant wins-losses discrepancy of any quarterback since 1950 with at least five postseason starts.

Third Time Is A Charm

Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin watches warm up for a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

Pittsburgh has played a divisional opponent in the playoffs a dozen times in their history. Their record in such games is 10-2.

George Pickens feast on the Ravens

Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) catches a pass behind Baltimore Ravens cornerback Brandon Stephens (21) during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Pickens was targeted six times last week and ended up with just one catch for zero yards. He has three or fewer catches in three consecutive games. But in his only matchup against Baltimore this year, Pickens was targeted 12 times, making eight catches for 89 yards. He hasn’t hit 100 yards since Week 7. Pickens does have 13 receptions of 30-plus yards, which tied with Ja’Marr Chase for the league lead.