Baltimore Ravens’ MVP quarterback, Lamar Jackson, faces one of his toughest matchups as he prepares to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. This isn’t just any game – it’s a crucial battle for the top spot in the AFC North. Both the Ravens and the Steelers are coming off nail-biting, one-point victories, setting up a high-stakes showdown that has fans and analysts alike on the edge of their seats.
Jackson led the Ravens to a thrilling 35-34 win over the Cincinnati Bengals last week, putting up impressive numbers that left the Bengals’ defense struggling to keep him contained. However, former Steelers standout and current ESPN analyst Ryan Clark is convinced Pittsburgh has a blueprint to neutralize Jackson’s explosive playstyle.
Clark believes that Pittsburgh’s defense, which recently stifled Commanders’ dual-threat QB Jayden Daniels, will focus on limiting Jackson’s ability to make plays outside the pocket. “The Steelers know how dangerous Jackson can be,” Clark said on NFL on ESPN. “They’ll bring pressure from the outside, forcing him to stay in the pocket. They’re not going to let him break loose and hurt them with his legs.” Clark emphasized that this game will be a team effort for Baltimore, with Jackson relying heavily on the support of his playmakers to overcome the Steelers’ strategic pressure.
The Steelers have demonstrated their defensive prowess against mobile quarterbacks before, holding Jayden Daniels to only five rushing yards last week, a far cry from his season average. Pittsburgh knows that if they can keep Jackson from breaking free, they’ll significantly limit Baltimore’s offensive firepower. In Clark’s view, the key to a Steelers victory lies in their ability to shut down Jackson’s rushing game, turning him into a pocket passer. This strategy, Clark argues, could tilt the game in Pittsburgh’s favor.
While Jackson has found success against division rivals like the Bengals and Browns, his record against the Steelers tells a different story. Despite his overall stellar record in the AFC North, he holds only a 1-3 record against Pittsburgh. His lone win came in 2019, a hard-fought overtime victory in which he threw three interceptions. Since then, the Steelers have found ways to contain Jackson, forcing him into turnovers and limiting his rushing impact.
To come out on top, Jackson and the Ravens will need to break free from past patterns and deliver a more consistent performance against Pittsburgh’s relentless defense. For Jackson, Sunday’s game isn’t just a chance to secure the division lead—it’s an opportunity to prove he can conquer one of his most challenging opponents.
