Everything You Need to Know: Ravens vs. Steelers

For the Ravens, the season comes down to Sunday night.

Baltimore (8-8) can capture the AFC North and advance to the playoffs with a victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. But if the Ravens lose, they will fly home after a sub-.500 year and pack their bags for the offseason.

There's no middle ground. It's all or nothing, a primetime regular-season showdown that will add to the legendary Ravens-Steelers rivalry.

Don't miss this one. Find your favorite spot on the couch. Wear your lucky jersey. The Ravens and Steelers have never faced each other for the division title in the final week of the season. Until now.

For the players involved, it's the stuff dreams are made of.

"It's a movie, right?" Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers said, smiling.

Here's everything you need to know:

Basics

Kickoff: Sunday, 8:20 p.m., Acrisure Stadium

TV: Local, WBAL Channel 11 (Baltimore), nationally on NBC; Mike Tirico (play-by-play), Cris Collinsworth (analyst), Melissa Stark (sideline)

Radio: WBAL (1090 AM), 98 Rock (97.9 FM), Sirius XM Radio Ch. 81 or 226, for affiliates in your area, click here:

History

The Steelers have a 37-27 advantage, including regular season and postseason, and hold a 21-12 edge in Pittsburgh.

They last met in Week 14, when the Steelers prevailed, 27-22, at M&T Bank Stadium. DK Metcalf, who won't play on Sunday while serving a two-game suspension for an altercation with a fan, was the offensive star for Pittsburgh with seven catches for 148 yards. Baltimore rallied after Pittsburgh raced to a 17-3 lead, but two controversial calls went against the Ravens to help thwart their comeback attempt. The biggest call came with 2:43 remaining when Isaiah Likely's catch that was originally ruled a go-ahead touchdown was overturned.

Many Ravens-Steelers games have produced magical moments, including their Wild-Card playoff matchup in 2015. In that game, Terrell Suggs squeezed the football between his legs for an improbable game-clinching interception to help Baltimore advance.

Stakes

With a victory, the Ravens will become only the fifth team since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger to make the playoffs after starting 1-5. Baltimore can also become the first franchise to three-peat as AFC North champs. However, a loss would leave the Ravens out of the playoffs for the first time since 2021, when they also finished 8-9.

Pittsburgh can capture its first division title since 2020 and finish 10-7 for the third consecutive year. However, a defeat would knock Pittsburgh out of the postseason for the first time since 2022 and would continue its drought without a playoff victory since 2016.

Storylines to Know

How will Lamar Jackson perform after returning for a do-or-die game?

Jackson had a full week of practice for the first time since Week 10 and declared himself ready to roll after missing the Packers game (back). The Ravens have dealt with many obstacles this season, including Jackson's various injuries. If Jackson plays his best football from this point forward, he could still lead the Ravens where they want to go.

The Steelers know Derrick Henry is coming, but can they stop him?

Henry has reeled off three straight 100-yard games, including his sensational 216-yard, four-touchdown performance against the Packers. The Steelers used a first-round pick on rookie defensive tackle Derrick Harmon and made other offseason moves to help strengthen their run defense. Pittsburgh held Henry to 94 yards on 25 carries last month and beat the Ravens in Baltimore. If the Steelers contain Henry, they could sweep the season series. If Henry has another huge day, the Ravens believe they can ride him into the postseason.

Can Pittsburgh pull off a win without Metcalf?

Metcalf's suspension comes at an awful time for the Steelers, and they failed to score a touchdown without him in last week's 13-6 loss to the Cleveland Browns. There will be pressure on the Steelers' rushing attack and Aaron Rodgers to carry the offense, but they will also be without tight end Darnell Washington (broken arm). Without two of their biggest weapons, the Steelers will have to figure out how to move the football consistently. Baltimore's defense has endured its ups and downs, but this would be an opportune time for the Ravens to rise up defensively.

X-Factor Players

DT Travis Jones

Jones is playing some of the best football of his career, and another strong game from him would help choke off Pittsburgh's rushing attack. Pressuring the pocket up the middle on Rodgers is always critical, and Jones is coming off a 1.5-sack performance against the Packers.

OLB Dre'Mont Jones

The Ravens didn't sack Rodgers in Week 14, giving him more time to pick them apart with pinpoint accuracy. Jones has nine quarterback hits over the past four weeks, and the more he hits Rodgers, the better Baltimore's chances.

RB Keaton Mitchell

While Henry figures to be the workhorse, Mitchell's speed gives the Ravens a change-of-pace option to keep Pittsburgh off balance. Mitchell popped a 55-yard run against Pittsburgh last month. In a game that could go back and forth, a big play or two from Mitchell could swing the pendulum in Baltimore's favor.