‘It is an honor to be in these video games’

One was a run by Connor Heyward and the opposite was a go down the center from Aaron Rodgers to tight finish Pat Freiermuth. Neither play led to touchdowns.

The Steelers have been with out receiver DK Metcalf within the recreation after being suspended by the NFL. Without Metcalf in opposition to the Browns, the Steelers’ vast receivers mixed for less than 60 yards of offense.

With Metcalf within the earlier recreation in opposition to the Ravens, he alone caught 7 passes for 148 yards. On the Steelers’ first offensive play, he hauled in a 52-yard go from Rodgers that arrange a Steelers landing and despatched them on their solution to a 27-22 win.

Tomlin stated the Ravens are at the moment taking part in much less man-to-man protection, however, “If they give us one-on-one playmaking opportunities, we’ve got to make those plays. And we’ve got to put guys in a position to do so. We’ve got very capable men.”

“Oftentimes,” Tomlin continued, “I say there’s a fine line between being a Pro Bowler and a backup. We’re at the top of the food chain in terms of the football world, and so it’s a reasonable expectation from my perspective, particularly with an additional week to prepare, that we put together a thoughtful plan and that we position our guys to take advantage of opportunities, and if and when they do present themselves that we make the plays.”

In spite of the win in Baltimore on Dec. 7, the Steelers have been outrushed by the Ravens, 217-34. In the 2 groups’ earlier assembly, within the 2024 playoffs, the Steelers have been outrushed by the Ravens, 299-50.

Derrick Henry rushed for 186 within the playoff recreation and 94 on Dec. 7.

“I certainly feel better positioned in 2025 to deal with it than I did in 2024,” Tomlin stated.

When requested why, Tomlin pointed to the provision of the Steelers’ first-round decide within the 2025 draft, the defensive sort out who missed the Dec. 7 recreation with an harm.

“Derrick Harmon is back,” Tomlin stated. “I feel that is vital, or at the very least the importance of his presence has been well-documented. We’ll see.

“But I don’t know that we’re doing anything dramatically different. We’re stacking the box when appropriate and making judgments about when that is and when that isn’t.”

The Ravens have their very own harm considerations, notably at quarterback the place Tyler Huntley changed Lamar Jackson final week.

Jackson, who’s struggled via accidents all season, missed final week’s recreation with a again contusion. His standing is unknown early this week in Baltimore.

The Ravens have received each video games this season during which Huntley has began.

“There are certainly some things that are exclusive to Lamar, and that’s not taking anything away from Huntley,” Tomlin stated. “It’s just certain things that are Lamar and no other human on the planet. I think they play to a certain personality, regardless of who’s at quarterback, and I think that that was on display a week ago. I think they’re experienced in playing with Huntley. They know how to play with him schematically, and certainly he knows how to play and has logged some significant reps over his years there. … Although it is potentially a backup-quarterback circumstance, I think there’s some real fluidity there from their perspective. And to be quite honest with you, when things get thick, they play a certain way, regardless of who’s playing quarterback.”

The Steelers are 20-5 in regular-season finales since 2000, 11-1 at residence.

They are 10-1 in regular-season finales at residence in opposition to division opponents.

“It is an honor man to be in these games, to be in these hotly contested matchups,” Tomlin stated. “Seems like Baltimore is always a dance partner. I certainly am respectful and appreciative of that relationship and some of the historic things we’ve been able to do when these two teams have come together. This appears to be one of those weekends. It’s humbling and an honor to be a component of it, but to be a component of it is just that. Our job is to win.”