By Teresa Varley for Steelers.com
You don’t have to remind linebacker T.J. Watt what the challenge is this week against the Baltimore Ravens.
He is well aware of it.
The Ravens come into Sunday’s game at Acrisure Stadium with the No. 1 ranked offense in the NFL, as well as the No. 1 rushing attack in the league.
It’s going to be a challenge, with a host of weapons that are highlighted by quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry.
The Steelers have a 3-1 record against Jackson, but it’s all about the here and now.
“Lamar Jackson is a two-time MVP,” said Watt. “He is that guy.
“So, it’s a tough task to get after him. We feel like we’ve had success in the past. But it means nothing if we don’t take it to the table on Sunday.
“It’s been a dogfight every year since I’ve been here. I know it’s been that way well before I was here as well.”
Trying to pinpoint a reason for the success against Jackson isn’t something that comes easily, because he isn’t easy to have success against. It’s a combination of multiple factors all working at the right time.
“It’s a mixture of schematics, guys playing fast,” said Watt. “Simple defensive things, like guys doing their job and trusting everybody to do their job. And tackling. Tackling is huge. Being able to tackle the football, the second guy in then punches the ball, things like that.”
Jackson is having an incredibly strong season, completing 199 passes for 2,669 yards and 24 touchdowns. And in 288 pass attempts, he only has thrown two interceptions.
He also continues to be a menace with his legs, rushing 91 times for 538 yards and two touchdowns.
“I don’t watch a whole lot of (their) games, other than the games we study, but every time you watch him, he’s dynamic whether he’s extending out of the pocket or even in the pocket,” said Watt. “The designed quarterback runs. The not designed runs, especially with the big back in the backfield with him. It makes it a tough challenge for defenses to stop.”
The defense will get a boost this week with the return of linebacker Nick Herbig, who missed four games with a hamstring injury. The timing is spot on with fellow linebacker Alex Highsmith ruled out with an ankle injury.
“It will be big,” said Watt. “I know Herbs been out for a while. He’s itching to be back. Be good to have him back. A guy that can rush the passer, but also stop the run in the rotation as well. I feel good about our depth.”
That depth includes recently acquired linebacker Preston Smith, who will be playing in his second game in the black and gold and Watt has nothing but confidence in him.
“It’s not easy to be thrust into a defense with five days notice,” said Watt of Smith’s performance against the Commanders last week. “To be able to go out and play meaningful snaps and make meaningful plays is a great addition for us.”
A true legacy: Cam Sutton learned about the Steelers-Ravens rivalry his rookie season, from players who knew what the game meant, who understood the rivalry inside and out.
Guys like Cameron Heyward, Vince Williams, Ryan Shazier, James Harrison, Ben Roethlisberger and Ramon Foster, just to name a few.
Through the years, he has faced the Ravens plenty of times, seeing just about everything you could imagine.
He respects the rivalry, knows it comes from a deep history between the two teams, a history that both sides take pride in.
“Just the legacy behind it,” said Sutton. “It’s deeply rooted. It goes beyond the guys in this room right now. Just the depth of the relationship between the two organizations, two prestigious organizations, two highly thought of organizations. There is a reputation behind them, good rapport and obviously playing great football.”
Sutton understands the games always come down to the wire, that one play, good or bad, can make all the difference and you have to be on top of your game at all times.
“It’s the clash of the division games,” said Sutton. “The thin line of winning and what those games, those battles have come down to. It’s playing a full 60-minute game. It’s hard-nosed football, all the different elements, all the different game scenarios and season scenarios.
“And obviously, the great players that have been a part of this relationship. That’s been special as well.”
Sutton knows how special the rivalry is based on the history and considers himself lucky to be a part of it.
“I was super lucky to be able to play with some of the older guys, guys who have been a part of this rivalry for a long time,” said Sutton. “It was deeply infused into me since day one.
“I know how much it means, not just because it’s a game, but just the situational wise, everything that we worked for to have moments like this against oppo
nents like this. It’ll be a big fun week.”
History lessons: Receiver Calvin Austin III knows exactly what the Steelers-Ravens rivalry means.
He has played in two games against the Ravens, both of them 17-10 wins in 2023.
He has witnessed first-hand what the games are like, what a battle they are between two teams that are extremely familiar with each other.
“Both teams have so much history,” said Austin. “They are well-coached. Players play hard on each team and it’s just a battle. It’s a lot of respect.
“It’s all about the competition, whether it’s offense, defense or special teams. There’s a lot of little matchups that’s been going on for a while as well.
“You become very familiar with the team once you play them twice a year. We’re each very well coached and disciplined. So, you’re going to have to bring your best every time.”
While Austin knows every game must be treated the same, he admits there is a different energy when it’s an AFC North game.
“I would say so,” said Austin. “We always have a heightened energy just because every game matters. But it’s the AFC North. Probably our biggest rivalry. We know what they’re going to bring, we know how they’re coached, that they’re going to bring their best. So, we have to match that.”
Sunday will also be the first time the Steelers face their former teammate, receiver Diontae Johnson. Johnson was traded from the Steelers to the Carolina Panthers in the offseason, and then from the Panthers to the Ravens before the trade deadline.
Austin said he has spoken to Johnson since he’s been gone, even telling him they need to do a jersey swap.
“I told him one of these games I need a jersey. We talked about that,” said Austin. “But yeah, it’s kind of crazy seeing him over there. He’s had tons of experience in this matchup. So, it’s a lot of history here.”
