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In manhandling Steelers, Ravens show their playoff potential: ‘This is the appetizer’

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  • Post last modified:January 13, 2025

BALTIMORE — The quarterback, who acknowledged earlier in the week that he’s been too amped up in previous playoff games, jogged onto the field for the first time in the shadow of his end zone. If Lamar Jackson needed a test of his nerves, this was it.

This was also an early opportunity to show the Pittsburgh Steelers and the rest of the AFC playoff field that this year is going to be different. This wouldn’t be the same ol’ postseason Ravens, who had a habit of losing their identity and their nerve.

Thirteen plays, including five consecutive Jackson runs, and 95 yards later, the two-time MVP was sprinting toward the Steelers’ end zone Saturday to celebrate Rashod Bateman’s 15-yard touchdown reception.

If their first long touchdown drive was about imposing their will, the rest of the game was about hammering the point home. From Derrick Henry stiff-arming Minkah Fitzpatrick to finish a run to Isaiah Likely discarding Cameron Sutton to Patrick Ricard finishing blocks 10 yards behind the play, the Ravens manhandled the Steelers physically all night, winning 28-14.

Lamar to Bateman! @Ravens on the board first. #PITvsBAL on Prime Video Also streaming on #NFLPlus

If their first long touchdown drive was about imposing their will, the rest of the game was about hammering the point home.

In doing so, they showed the form that makes them a legitimate Super Bowl threat.

“We need to do that each and every time — great preparation, great practicing. Guys just locked in,” said Jackson, who won his third playoff game. “It’s a win-or-go-home mentality, and our guys are just showing that, each and every down.”

The victory in the wild-card round over their divisional rival at raucous M&T Bank Stadium was barely competitive aside from the third quarter. And it took the Steelers to trail by three touchdowns and get pushed around the field for the first half to actually enter the fight.

“Having 300 yards rushing on you is worse than 300 yards passing,” said Steelers safety DeShon Elliott, a former Raven. “They definitely put a belt to butt today.”

The game ended with the Ravens holding the ball for 12:22 of the fourth quarter, fittingly finishing on a six-plus-minute drive with Jackson taking a knee as MVP chants rained down and coach John Harbaugh implored the crowd to get louder from the sideline.

As usual, Jackson and Henry were the catalysts. Jackson completed 16 of 21 passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns and ran 15 times for 81 yards. Henry finished with 186 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries. However, it was the team-wide commitment to being physical, controlling the line of scrimmage and making the Steelers earn every yard or tackle that highlighted Baltimore’s most complete playoff performance in several years.

“Whatever adversity you’re faced with, find a way to overcome (it), and they did it with execution, they did it with physicality,” Harbaugh said. “They did it by playing one game at a time, by being poised and just understanding it’s going to be a long game. There’s going to be a lot of plays. Let’s try to put as many good plays together as we can, and they just kind of kept it that simple.”

The victory in the wild-card round over their divisional rival at raucous M&T Bank Stadium was barely competitive aside from the third quarter. And it took the Steelers to trail by three touchdowns and get pushed around the field for the first half to actually enter the fight.

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