The Ravens’ journey within the playoffs is ready to proceed.
The Steelers, in the meantime, will enter the offseason with loads of inquiries to reply.
Baltimore cruised to a 28-14 victory Saturday night time over Pittsburgh within the AFC wild-card spherical, clinching a spot within the divisional spherical. The Ravens are headed to the second spherical of the playoffs for the second 12 months in a row (that they had the first-round bye final 12 months because the AFC’s No. 1 total seed).
This is what we realized from Saturday’s recreation.
Ravens: These Ravens have what it takes to win the Tremendous Bowl — one thing Lamar Jackson & Co. have not been capable of do in earlier years regardless of their regular-season success. It is due to the Derrick Henry impact on their run recreation, which does not should be overly reliant on Jackson’s legs anymore. The previous Tennessee Titans star had 26 carries for 186 yards and two touchdowns within the win over the Steelers, main a Ravens speeding assault that produced 299 yards.
Henry registered 1,921 yards and 16 touchdowns within the common season, however fairly frankly, that is not sufficient for these Ravens. The usual is reaching (and hopefully successful) the Tremendous Bowl after falling brief within the playoffs repeatedly within the Jackson period, together with final season’s loss to the Chiefs within the AFC championship recreation.
Henry’s energy translating to the beginning of the playoffs — albeit in opposition to a struggling Steelers group — is a wanted sight for the franchise, providing a aid of kinds. It is also a reminder of how traditionally dominant Henry is at this level on the calendar. He entered the postseason averaging probably the most speeding yards per recreation in December or later (99.8) within the Tremendous Bowl period, together with the playoffs (minimal of 30 video games performed). Along with his efficiency Saturday night time, he is now tied with Corridor of Famer Terrell Davis for probably the most playoff video games of no less than 150 speeding yards (4).
On the opposite facet of the ball, Baltimore’s protection began to bend within the third quarter, permitting a number of explosive cross performs in opposition to the Steelers. That will not reduce it in opposition to the caliber of AFC offenses the group may face within the divisional spherical or the convention championship recreation. However the Ravens had been nice sufficient defensively within the first half (they posted a shutout) and confirmed sufficient because the league’s No. 1-rated protection over the eight weeks of the common season that how the wild card ended should not be an excessive amount of of a priority.
That is what it comes right down to: The Ravens have Jackson, Henry and an ascendant protection. Sure, having main receiver Zay Flowers out of the image as a result of his knee damage (no less than quickly) hurts Baltimore. However total, the group has all the things it must make a run on the Tremendous Bowl. Something wanting representing the AFC in New Orleans ought to be thought of a failure.
Steelers: This turns into probably the most urgent query in Pittsburgh: Who’ll be the beginning quarterback in 2025?
A few months in the past, Russell Wilson — who’s scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason — was the straightforward reply. There was speak of him receiving a deal of no less than $30 million per season. He began his tenure because the Steelers’ QB1 on a heater, in spite of everything. He performed environment friendly soccer. He guided Pittsburgh to a 6-1 file in his first seven video games. However all the things fell aside offensively over the past 4 weeks of the season, all losses. His play regressed. Now you add this playoff dud to the dialog.
Then there’s Justin Fields, who’s additionally set to be a free agent. As Pittsburgh’s starter the primary six weeks of the season, he was OK. He made good selections, did not flip the ball over and was a significant speeding risk along with his legs. He is additionally simply 25 years previous. However he hasn’t proven the flexibility to threaten defenses vertically — which Wilson was capable of do when he was inserted because the starter, opening up Pittsburgh’s offense.
Actually, there aren’t any simple solutions for the Steelers. Slotted in the back half of the first round, they will not be in place to seize a quarterback in what’s thought of a weak draft on the place anyway. Free company is what they have to have a look at if they do not re-sign Wilson and/or Fields.
However even with that, is taking part in higher at signal-caller sufficient to raise a Steelers group that has now misplaced six straight playoff video games?
Ben Arthur is an NFL reporter for FOX Sports activities. He beforehand labored for The Tennessean/USA TODAY Community, the place he was the Titans beat author for a 12 months and a half. He coated the Seattle Seahawks for SeattlePI.com for 3 seasons (2018-20) previous to transferring to Tennessee. You’ll be able to comply with Ben on Twitter at @benyarthur.
[Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily.]
Get extra from Nationwide Soccer League Comply with your favorites to get details about video games, information and extra
