Ravens – Steelers: Surging rookie OT v. All Pro pass rusher among critical matchups

This AFC North clash features key battles between specific players, units, and coaches.

The Baltimore Ravens will be back at home in Week 16 following a confidence-building tune-up win coming off a bye and will be taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers with the lead in the AFC North on the line. This divisional clash of contenders could have significant playoff implications and the Ravens are favored to win by at least a touchdown at M&T Bank Stadium.

However, games aren’t won on paper or decided by betting odds. There are some pivotal matchups between individual players, units, and coaches that will go a long way in determining the outcome of this contest.

Below are a handful of those key battles that could be deciding factors in Week 16.

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OT Roger Rosengarten v. OLB TJ Watt

The Ravens rookie right tackle had a surprisingly impressive game against the six-time Pro Bowl pass rusher in the first-ever meeting between the two back in Week 11 and has only gotten better since. The second-round gem has only allowed two pressures in the last four games including pitching shutouts in each of the last two games one of which was against the Philadelphia Eagles’ ferocious front. Watt leads the Steelers in sacks and is tied for third with 11.5 and leads the league in forced fumbles with six. Even if Rosengarten keeps the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year at bay for most of the, all it takes is one play for him to make a difference so he’ll need to be on stout from start to finish in this massive matchup.

Ravens tight ends v. Steelers linebackers

With Baltimore dealing with multiple injuries at wide receiver, their passing attack will likely be funneled through their dynamic tight end duo of three-time Pro Bowler Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely. Since multiple tight end sets are considered heavy personnel even if both players are dangerous pass catchers, the Steelers will likely utilize more base packages which means more like linebackers on the field.

While former Ravens first-round pick turned Steeler, Patrick Queen, and rookie Payton Wilson are both solid coverage linebackers, veteran Elandon Roberts is not and could be targeted on play-action passing targets whenever he’s on the field. Even though Queen and Wilson are very athletic for linebackers, keeping up with Andrews and Likely and stopping them from making plays in the red zone especially won’t be easy as Queen know first hand having been their teammate as recently as last season. The two of them have combined for 80 receptions for 915 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns this season and are nightmares to cover for linebackers and defensive backs alike especially when they’re on the field together.

Ravens interior defensive line v. Steelers interior offensive line

Following the triumphant return of veteran nose tackle Michael Pierce last week, Baltimore’s interior defensive line is back at full strength and is poised to continue being a consistently disruptive force against the run and pass. Pierce was an absolute game wrecker against the Giants and not just as a run-stuffer but as a pass rusher as well with how he consistently collapsed the pocket and flushed the quarterback out to the perimeter.

The Ravens already had a dominant duo in his absences with All Pro Nnamdi Madubuike and Travis Jones and the three of them along with veterans Broderick Washington and Brent Urban will give the Steelers guards and rookie center Zach Frazier. The Ravens have the top-ranked run defense and their interior defensive line leads the charge for a unit that allows the fewest rushing yards per game (80.7) and carry (3.5).

OG Patrick Mekari v. DT Cameron Heyward

The Ravens veteran left offensive guard is not only the most penalized player on the starting offensive line and team as a whole but his 11 penalties called against him are tied for the third-most in the entire league. Holding calls make up the majority of his infractions with seven which is three more than the next Ravens lineman—Ronnie Stanley with four—and the most in the league. He has been the guilty culprit more often than not whenever the Ravens have a chunk run or RPO pass called back as he also leads the league in ineligible man downfield penalties as well with three.

Mekari’s positional versatility and technique earned him a roster spot and a full-time starting role this year but he has struggled holding up in pass protection when the Ravens offense faces above-average-to-elite front sevens. The Steelers’ six-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle is having one of the best seasons of his career with eight sacks in 14 games—second-most on the team and among all interior defensive linemen in the league. He will likely spend a lot of his time lined up over Mekari and will try to capitalize anytime they’re engaged one-on-one with the hopes of forcing a negative play or another debilitating hold because he’s overmatched.

Ravens edge rushers v. Steelers offensive tackles

Baltimore racked up four sacks in the first meeting between these two teams including more than half of the total coming from fourth-year outside linebacker Odafe Oweh who had a career day with two in the first half and another half by the end of the game. He has his way with both of the Steelers’ starting tackles, beating Broderick Jones and Dan Moore with explosive speed and bend around the edge. The 2021 first-rounder is second on the team with a career-high eight sacks and could potentially reach double figures with another big day in the biggest game of the season.

Oweh isn’t the Ravens’ only edge defender who is close to being the first at the position to reach the double-digit mark since Terrell Suggs in 2017. After tying his career-high single-season sack total of nine that he set last year in the team’s win over the Giants, 11th-year veteran Kyle Van Noy is just one more away from reaching another personal-best mark and will be highly motivated to notch against a division rival. Second-year pro Tavius Robinson has carved out a larger role for himself on defense over the last month as more than just an early-down run defender so he could very well get in on the sack action as well.