M&T BANK GAME PREVIEW

GAME PREVIEW STEELERS VS. RAVENS

TE Mark Andrews

QUOTH THE RAVEN

“If somebody tells me I can’t do something, I’m always willing to prove I can do it. There’s always going to be somebody that doesn’t like you, but you always have to keep pushing, be confident and prove them wrong. Everybody in the world is not meant to be your friend – that’s totally fine. But at the end of the day, you keep worrying about what you need to take care of, and everything else will follow.”

– LB JOSH BYNES

on how he has approached his career

The Baltimore Ravens (8-8) host the Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7-1) for a Week 18 AFC North showdown from M&T Bank Stadium. In order for Baltimore to earn a playoff berth for the fourth-straight season, the Ravens need the following: a win over Pittsburgh + a Chargers’ loss (at LV) + a Colts’ loss (at Jax.) + a Dolphins’ loss or tie (vs. NE). The Ravens are in the midst of a fivegame losing streak, with four of those defeats coming by a combined 5 points: at Pittsburgh (1), at Cleveland (2), vs. Green Bay (1) and last Sunday vs. LAR (1). In the Ravens-Steelers rivalry, 21 of the last 27 matchups (since 2008) have been decided by one score. Of those games, 15 have been decided by 3-or-fewer points. In the all-time Baltimore-Pittsburgh series, the Steelers lead the regular season count, 28-23, also going 3-1 in the playoffs. Under head coach John Harbaugh, Baltimore is 14-16 (including playoffs) against Pittsburgh, including 7-6 at M&T Bank Stadium.

Last Sunday against the visiting Rams, Baltimore dropped another heartbreaker, 20-19, when QB Matthew Stafford found WR Odell Beckham Jr. for a 7-yard, goahead TD strike with 57 seconds left to play. Leading 16-7 entering the fourth quarter, the Ravens were unable to halt a Los Angeles comeback, nor get into FG position for a potential game-winning kick, after the Rams’ decisive TD. Backup QB Tyler Huntley made his third start of the season, completing 20-of-32 passes for 197 yards and 1 INT, also adding 54 rushing yards. The Ravens failed to score an offensive TD for the first time this season, instead relying on K Justin Tucker’s 4 FGs and 2 INTs from S Chuck Clark, who returned one of his picks for a 17-yard TD in the first quarter.

NUMBERS TO NOTE

141 – Receiving yards TE Mark Andrews needs to set an NFL record for most receiving yards in a season by a tight end. His 1,276 yards currently rank seventh most by a TE in league history, while his 79.8 ypg average stands 10th best.

7– Seasons in which K Justin Tucker has made at least 30 FGs (including 2021), marking the most by any kicker in NFL history. With 130 points scored this season, Tucker is also the first kicker in NFL history to score 130-plus points in six straight seasons.

6,O59 – Total yards the Ravens have gained, entering Week 18, marking the second most in a 16-game season in team history. Only the 2019 Ravens (6,521) produced more yards through 16 games.

31 – Number of meetings (including playoffs) between head coach John Harbaugh and head coach Mike Tomlin. The 31 head-to-head battles tie (Curly Lambeau vs. Steve Owen) for the second most by a pair of opposing head coaches in league history.