The Pittsburgh Steelers play football in the AFC North, a division loaded with talent heading into the 2024 season. Many pundits believe the AFC North is the most competitive and challenging division in the entire NFL. The Baltimore Ravens are the Steelers' biggest rival in the division. Pittsburgh and Baltimore have a deep-seated dislike for each other, leading to fiery and tightly contested games whenever they face off.
Baltimore Ravens
Ravens QB Lamar Jackson runs with the ball against the Steelers.
Despite Baltimore being considered the "better" team in recent years, the Steelers and Ravens rivalry has remained highly competitive. Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson has been dominant in his NFL career, recently winning his second league MVP. However, while Jackson has been exceptional in the regular season, the Ravens have struggled in the postseason. Jackson has a passer rating of 75.7 with 1,324 yards, six touchdowns, and six interceptions in six playoff games.
While many Jackson supporters and Ravens fans argue about his greatness, one NFL pundit, Mark Schlereth, shared his honest opinion on Jackson, refusing to give him any excuses and expressing his strong views passionately.
“I do not want to hear from all of you out there that are telling me that Lamar Jackson, well, they do not get him weapons. How many first-round wide receivers do you need to draft? Well, they are not drafting the right one," said Schlereth. "Well, you are not developing them. Well, how do you develop them?”
Schlereth explained that he believes Jackson has played a significant role in the struggles of his wide receivers.
“Well, your quarterback actually has a long way to go in developing wide receivers. So I don’t want to hear that bull**** from you anymore. Any of you Baltimore fans, I am tired of it. They drafted first-round tight ends and they have drafted three different wide receivers since 2018 in the first round. Aaron Rodgers went 16 or 17 years with the Green Bay Packers and they never drafted a guy in the first round… Produce in the playoffs.”
Since 2019, Baltimore has made a concerted effort to provide Jackson with help at the wide receiver position. In 2019, the Ravens selected Marquise Brown in the first round of the NFL Draft. While Brown had his moments in Baltimore, he is now set to catch passes from Pat Mahomes in 2024. The Ravens were unable to fully maximize his potential.
Shawn Hubbard / Baltimore Ravens
Marquise "Hollywood" Brown during his time with the Baltimore Ravens.
In the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, the Ravens selected Rashod Bateman. Although Bateman has shown flashes of promise, he has struggled to live up to the expectations of being a first-round pick. However, in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Ravens seemed to have better luck by selecting Zay Flowers, who had a strong rookie season and is expected to carry that momentum into the upcoming season.
Steelers' Rival Lamar Jackson Gets Blasted On Social Media By Mark Schlereth
Schlereth is stating a fact: the Ravens have made significant efforts to support Jackson at the wide receiver position. He has no sympathy for Jackson apologists who claim that Jackson lacks support. Schlereth even took to his social media account to respond to Ravens fans who complained about his take.
I think Lamar is awesome. Just needs to perform in the playoffs. Some of his fans are ridiculous. https://t.co/1kuGns4Aar
— Mark Schlereth (@markschlereth) July 3, 2024
Yes, in the NFL thought so highly of them that none of them were drafted in the first round… How many more first round receivers does Baltimore need to draft 3…4…5? https://t.co/UsoRJ9Gesp
— Mark Schlereth (@markschlereth) July 3, 2024
Is the development of WR dependent on the offense system and the QB? https://t.co/iOr5ZnVsy2
— Mark Schlereth (@markschlereth) July 2, 2024
For Schlereth, Jackson needs to make a significant playoff run to prove himself. Despite Jackson's incredible regular season success, his postseason stats have been underwhelming.
Joe Sargent / Getty Images
Steelers' TJ Watt sacks Ravens' Lamar Jackson.
Steelers fans hope Jackson continues to struggle in the playoffs. Pittsburgh made a lot of exciting moves this offseason. Steelers fans are excited to see the new players and staff take the field in the 2024 season. While Jackson has struggled in the playoffs. He has also struggled against Pittsburgh. The Steelers will look to extend that trend in the upcoming season.
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