The Pittsburgh Steelers are in a great position entering Week 11 of the 2024 NFL season. With a tough backend to the schedule, it was imperative for the team to start out the year strong, and it has done exactly that. Sitting at 7-2 and in first place in the AFC North, the organization will host the Baltimore Ravens in the biggest game to date. The division lead will be on the line, and the Steel City is anxiously preparing for a monumental matchup. Each game between the two franchises is chippy, and there's no reason to expect anything less on Sunday.
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Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin (right) and Baltimore Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh talk during warmups before the game at Heinz Field on September 30, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
In games of this magnitude, the league often warns the officiating crew assigned about what could be coming its way. There will be plenty of emotions displayed on the field, especially with Patrick Queen and Diontae Johnson facing their former teams. That is why both sides will take into account the referees that will be at Acrisure Stadium for the contest.
As he does each week, Steelers contributor Dale Lolley brought to social media an update on the officials for Sunday. Clay Martin's group will be tasked with facilitating the game, and that could be phenomenal news for Pittsburgh.
Clay Martin's crew will work Steelers-Ravens Sunday. They average 12.88 penalties per game, which is league average. But they do like holding penalties. They have called 33, about 1/3 of all their penalties. The Ravens have an NFL-high 80 penalties. The Steelers have 57.
— Dale Lolley (@dlolley_pgh) November 14, 2024
The Steelers should be able to take advantage of the Ravens' tendencies to be called for penalties. Not only has John Harbaugh's group been flagged for holding at a consistent rate, but the team leads the league in penalties called against it altogether with 80. This is something that absolutely could decide the game when it comes down to the final moments.
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Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh throws his hands up in the air in disgust as he shows displeasure after a questionable call from an official during a home game in Baltimore, MD.
There will be a lot on the line Sunday, with the division lead at the forefront of everyone's goals. The Steelers have been rather consistent in terms of penalties and are in the bottom half of the league. This is another reason for a 7-2 start to the season. The team has played well, but also hasn't given the opposition too many opportunities to take advantage of flags being thrown.
Martin's crew enjoying the holding call will be big news for TJ Watt and co. Any advantage a team can have with Lamar Jackson running around in the backfield can be looked at as critical. Offensive linemen won't have as many opportunities to grab the jerseys of defenders trying to get after the quarterback. This could play into the hands of the Steelers if Martin and his officiating team stick to what they have been doing in 2024.
Any leg up that a franchise can get on a divisional opponent is important, and it becomes even more magnified when the game holds this much significance. Watt is often held and it is rarely called, but the Ravens' offensive line may be in for a rude awakening come Sunday's contest. Pittsburgh's pass rush can be a lethal weapon and the reason why the organization comes out on top. A strict approach to calling holding penalties by Martin could be a massive swing in the game.
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Steelers stars TJ Watt (#90) and Cameron Heyward (#97) stretch prior to a 2022 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Steelers Hoping Officiating Won't Be A Factor In Week 11
All good teams and head coaches will say that allowing referees to decide games means that not enough was done in the first place to come out as victorious. That same sentiment will be echoed by Pittsburgh and Baltimore entering the contest. It is nice to see though, for fans of the black and gold at least, that the Ravens have a serious weakness that can be taken advantage of; and that Martin's crew could provide some crucial calls.
Do you think that the Steelers will beat the Ravens in Week 11? Let us know in the comments below!
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