The Pittsburgh Steelers will take on the Baltimore Ravens for the first time this season in Week 14 and will go on to play them twice in three weeks. It looks as if their division rival could be without their star quarterback, Lamar Jackson. He was sacked on the final play of the first quarter on Sunday and exited with a knee injury.
Ravens’ HC John Harbaugh told reporters that QB Lamar Jackson will be “week to week” with his knee injury, with this week “being less likely.”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 5, 2022
He did not return and backup signal-caller, Tyler Huntley came in, leading the team to an ugly 10-9 win. It looks as if Huntley will get the call to start in Pittsburgh which may not be the best news for Ravens fans. Since Jackson became the starter in 2018, his backups have not played well against Mike Tomlin's team.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach, Mike Tomlin addresses the fans at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA during the team's training camp in 2022. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Jackson has actually only started three regular season games in his career against Pittsburgh and is 1-2 as the top guy on the depth chart. The first contest he missed was at the end of the 2019 season. Baltimore's playoff position was secure so they rested many of their starters. The offense ran rampant against the Steelers as Gus Edwards led an offense that had 223 rushing yards. The quarterback stepping in, however, did not have a very efficient outing passing the ball.
Robert Griffin III started the second to last game of his career and was just 11/21 for 96 yards passing and an interception. He was also sacked three times. The only form of success he had was scrambling and running the football, gaining 50 yards on the ground. That will be a critical piece for Pittsburgh's defense entering the first matchup of 2022 as Huntley is very elusive with his legs, similar to the injured Jackson.
BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 29: T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers pressures Robert Griffin III #3 of the Baltimore Ravens during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Griffin's final career start was the following season when Jackson was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. He had another rough showing through the air. He was just 7/12 for 33 yards, but was able to keep his team in the game, rushing for 68 yards on just seven carries. He ended up injuring his hamstring and was replaced by Trace McSorley. He was 2/6 and had one of the only big passing plays the Ravens have had without Jackson in the lineup since 2019, finding Marquise Brown for a 70-yard score.
The most recent start from a quarterback not named Jackson was a season ago. Huntley was unable to defeat Pittsburgh in Baltimore in Week 18. The win was the reason Tomlin's team snuck into the postseason. The rushing attack was an issue for the Steelers' defense once again and Huntley ran for 72 yards on 12 carries. The defense held strong, however, as the team won an overtime thriller. Huntley was only 16/31 for 141 yards and an interception passing.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JANUARY 09: Tyler Huntley #2 of the Baltimore Ravens runs with the ball while defended by Minkah Fitzpatrick #39 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on January 09, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Overall, Jackson has started just as many games against Tomlin and co. since 2019 as his backups have. Baltimore is 1-2 without him. On top of not having their best offensive weapon, the passing game has pretty much been non-existent when the former MVP can't play. The Steelers are one of the top 10 rush defenses in the league so Huntley will have to beat them through the air if he wants to upset Pittsburgh. The recipe for success for the Steelers is simple: stop the run and make Huntley throw the football throughout the contest.
Do you think the Ravens can move the ball through the air in Week 14 if Huntley is the starter? Let us know in the comments below!
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