The Baltimore Ravens have officially started their journey to the Super Bowl. After finishing the season 12-5, the Ravens will face off against the 10-7 Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card playoffs. There are a few things the Ravens can do to ensure success in the playoffs, such as running the ball effectively, limiting turnovers, and playing stout defense. As longstanding division rivals, there is a lot of history between the Ravens and Steelers. They have met 62 times over 25 years. In 62 games, the Steelers hold a ten-win series advantage. In totality, Pittsburgh leads the series 36-26. The teams have met four times in the postseason, with the Steelers winning three of the four games.
The Ravens are rolling, and expect to add another notch to their win column. Lamar Jackson, the favorite to win NFL MVP for the second consecutive season, will be looking to change the narrative on his postseason success. Jackson’s running mate Derrick Henry has not been to the playoffs since 2021, and there’s no better opponent to come back against. The sky is the limit if Baltimore can continue clicking on offense and receive some help defensively.
Three Ways Baltimore Ravens Can Ensure Success in the Playoffs
1) Run the Ball Effectively
The Baltimore Ravens have the best run game in the NFL with Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry. It’s an anomaly to have two players capable of rushing for 100 yards in the same game. Although the Steelers have good run defense, the Ravens should pound the football. Defensive end TJ Watt is a game-wrecker. Watt is unstoppable, but limiting his success will be paramount. Playoff games can be won in the trenches if the O-line can hit blocks consistently. Open lanes for Henry, Jackson, and Justice Hill can equal major success for the Baltimore Ravens in the playoffs.
2) Limit Turnovers
The Ravens do not turn the ball over much, and that will have to stay the case in the playoffs. Lamar Jackson has only thrown four interceptions this season and has lit up the league with 41 touchdowns. Most of Jackson’s interceptions were tipped balls, not bad decisions and carelessness. One thing Jackson will have to clean up is his propensity to fumble. Jackson lets fumbles get away occasionally and will need to tuck the ball tightly as teams will be stripping at the football. Jackson has fumbled the ball 10 times this season and lost five fumbles. He has only turned the ball over 9 times this season, so the ball is in good hands. In the playoffs, teams will look for opportunities to create extra possessions. As long as Jackson can protect the ball, Baltimore has a good shot at advancing.
3) Defensive Prowess
The Ravens defense has been playing well for most of the year. In the first half of the season, the defense was very much ‘bend but don’t break’, but the unit has greatly improved as of late. Baltimore has been getting timely stops, and forcing turnovers reminiscent of the Baltimore bullies. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey is experiencing a resurgence and is playing like one of the best in the league. Young veteran Linebacker Roquan Smith recently made history as the youngest player to reach 1,000 tackles, and the tackling machine will need to stay on. On the defensive line, almost 400-pound Michael Pierce has done a great job clogging up would-be holes and stopping ball-carriers. Pierce even got an electrifying interception in Week 18 which the team rallied around. If Baltimore can keep the same energy on defense, they can stop anyone.
Main Image: Tommy Gilligan – USA Today Sports
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