Ravens have their own postseason problems
By Dale Lolley
For the Observer-Reporter
newsroom@observer-reporter.com
Pressure is a funny thing. You either feel it or you don’t.
And while fans might look at the Steelers’ playoff matchup Saturday night and believe the pressure is on Pittsburgh because it hasn’t won a playoff game since 2016, that’s not the way this thing works.
After all, only two players – Cam Heyward, Chris Boswell – were with the Steelers for their 2016 loss in the AFC Championship at New England. And Heyward was injured and unable to play in that game. Just four players, including Heyward and Boswell, were members of the team for their playoff loss to the Jaguars the following season, with T.J. Watt and Cam Sutton being the two additions.
You get the idea.
The vast majority of this roster was still in high school or, at worst, in college when those losses took place.
Heck, even most of the coaching staff has turned over since then. That’s why when asked about those issues earlier this week, head coach Mike Tomlin was quick to take the lack of playoff wins since 2016 on his own shoulders.
“What you mentioned is my story, it’s not this collective’s story,” Tomlin said. “Many of these guys involved do not tote those bags. I happily tote those bags, but it’s not something that I’m going to project on the collective.”
The Ravens, on the other hand, have much more recent playoff issues that have plagued them, most notably quarterback Lamar Jackson.
The two-time NFL MVP, who might win it again this season, owns a 2-4 record in the postseason. And it’s largely because he hasn’t performed well.
Jackson owns a sparkling 64-20 record as a starter in the regular season. He’s thrown 165 touchdown passes versus 49 interceptions in those games and posted a 101.9 passer rating. In the playoffs, he is 2-4 with six touchdowns and six interceptions and a passer rating of 75.7.
The Ravens have averaged 27.4 points per game with Jackson at quarterback in the regular season. In the postseason, that average falls to just 16.0 points per game.
“I’m (usually) just too excited, that’s all,” Jackson told reporters this week. “(I’m) too antsy. I’m seeing things before it happens, like ‘Oh, I have to calm myself down.’ But just being more experienced, I’ve found a way to balance it out.”
Maybe. But maybe not.
We’ll see Saturday night at M&T Bank Stadium.
• The Ravens being without Pro Bowl wide receiver Zay Flowers, who suffered a knee injury in last week’s win over Cleveland, is a big deal.
It’s kind of like what happened to the Steelers in 2014, the only time the Ravens beat them in the postseason in four tries.
If you recall, the Steelers needed to beat the Bengals in the final week of the season to win the division title over the Ravens. They did that, but lost running back Le’Veon Bell in the process.
Bell, who like Flowers, was a first-time Pro Bowl player that season, suffered a sprained knee in the win and was unable to play against Baltimore.
Instead, the Steelers started Ben Tate, signed earlier in the week, at running back and the Ravens pulled away late for a 30-15 victory.
Without Flowers and his 74 receptions for 1,059 yards, the Ravens’ passing offense isn’t quite as dynamic. In fact, their top wide receiver beyond Flowers is Rashod Bateman, who had 45 catches. The rest of the wide receivers on Baltimore’s roster combined for 27 catches.
Baltimore will be much easier to defend without Flowers available.
This week’s games
Steelers (plus 10) at Ravens: This was a 7-point game in Baltimore in the fourth quarter a few weeks ago and the Steelers had the ball when the Ravens pulled away, thanks to an interception return for a touchdown and a late field goal. And if the Steelers hadn’t fumbled at their own 4-yard line early in the game, then they would have at least been tied at 17-17 at halftime. Those mistakes happened, though. As it is, getting more than a touchdown in a Pittsburgh-Baltimore game? You always take the points. The Steelers can win this game. But will they? Take the Steelers to cover in a 20-17 loss.
Chargers (minus 3) at Texans: Houston’s offensive line has been a big issue this season. But the defense is very solid. It also might be a year early for the Chargers to make this kind of breakthrough, as well. The Chargers are playing better. Take the Chargers, 21-17.
Broncos (plus 8½) at Bills: Rookie quarterback making his first career playoff start in Buffalo against the probable NFL MVP? Sure. Buffalo’s defense struggles stopping the run, but the Broncos don’t necessarily run the ball well. Take the Bills, 27-16.
Packers (pus 4½) at Eagles: The fact Philadelphia QB Jalen Hurts is coming off a concussion isn’t great. But the Eagles don’t throw the ball a lot, anyway. Saquon Barkley is good and rested. And Philadelphia’s defense will rule the day. Take the Eagles, 31-14.
Commanders (plus 3) at Buccaneers: Tampa Bay’s offense should have its way with the Washington defense, while the Commanders will face plenty of blitzes in this one from Todd Bowles’ group. Can Jayden Daniels make them pay? Sure. But will it be enough? No. Take the Bucs, 38-27.
Vikings (minus 1½) at Rams: That was a huge loss for the Vikings on Sunday night in Detroit, sending them on the road throughout the NFC playoffs. Will Vikings’ fans show up in Los Angeles? Sure. But Sam Darnold will need to play better than Matthew Stafford. Take the Rams, 29-27.
Last week: 2-2-1 ATS, 3-2 straight up
Overall: 49-42-1 ATS; 62-30 straight up
Dale Lolley hosts The Drive on Steelers Nation Radio and writes a Sunday column for the Observer-Reporter.