The Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2) are determined to bounce back after a disappointing Week 4 loss in Houston, where they stumbled to a 30-6 defeat. Their next challenge: facing the team currently leading the AFC North.
The Baltimore Ravens (3-1) are on their way to Pittsburgh for the third divisional road game in the opening five games of the season. So far, they’ve handled every test with poise. In Week 2, they secured a victory against Cincinnati, and their recent performance in Cleveland against one of the league’s top defenses in Week 4 was nothing short of impressive.
Facing the Browns, who were missing their starting quarterback, Deshaun Watson, the Ravens were in complete control. Lamar Jackson delivered four touchdowns, and the Ravens limited the Browns to just 166 total yards, securing a convincing 28-3 win.
With their second consecutive AFC North triumph, the Ravens have taken command of the division. Meanwhile, the Steelers faced defeat at the hands of the Texans, and the Bengals slid to a 1-3 record following a loss to the Titans.
After the Ravens’ clash with the Browns, they did incur some injuries, but fortunately, none seemed too severe. Moreover, the injury outlook has brightened since then.
Star cornerback Marlon Humphrey (foot), who had been sidelined since mid-August, returned to practice this week, along with starting wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. (ankle) and Rashod Bateman (hamstring). There’s also optimism that left tackle Ronnie Stanley (knee) and safety Marcus Williams (pectoral) could make their return on Sunday.
While Baltimore may not require all these players to secure a victory against an inconsistent Pittsburgh team, having them back only enhances their chances.
The Steelers have received encouraging updates regarding their starting quarterback’s health. Kenny Pickett, who sustained an elbow bruise in Week 4, is anticipating being on the field against the Ravens. After a limited practice on Wednesday, Pickett fully participated in Thursday’s practice.
Ravens’ defensive leader, who earned a comparison to Ray Lewis from Jackson earlier this week, Smith is an early contender for Defensive Player of the Year. In his first full season in Baltimore, he’s established himself as a top-10 defensive player.
Pro Football Focus statistics indicate that Smith is on track to make 63 tackles, resulting in a defensive stop, along with eight sacks. Furthermore, he boasts the second-highest PFF coverage grade among linebackers.
Veteran cornerback Peterson, entering his 13th season, might find himself targeted by Jackson frequently this weekend. Although Peterson remains a productive player, it’s evident that teams no longer view him as the shutdown threat he once was.
In Week 4, Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud targeted Peterson six times, resulting in five catches. These receptions averaged 18.8 yards per play, totaling 94 yards, according to PFF, with 58 yards coming after the catch.
The Ravens’ passing game is on an upswing, especially with the likely return of Beckham and Bateman to complement tight end Mark Andrews. There’s a possibility that rookie Zay Flowers might secure his first touchdown of the season. In this game, Peterson could see substantial action as a result.
