Canada
Argentina 
Australia 
Austria 
Brazil 
Germany 
Ireland 
Italy 
Malaysia 
Mexico 
New Zealand 
Poland 
South Africa 
United Kingdom 
United States Steelers vs Ravens: Big takeaways from the blowout loss
On Saturday, the Pittsburgh Steelers lost to the Baltimore Ravens 34-17, extending their losing streak to two games. It was an ugly performance by a beat-up Steelers team, and now the Steelers are in the lead in the AFC North only by a tiebreaker. Here are our big takeaways from the loss.
No Pickens, big problems
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 21: Calvin Austin III #19 of the Pittsburgh Steelers catches a pass while defended by Brandon Stephens #21 of the Baltimore Ravens during the third quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on December 21, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
If this third game without George Pickens has taught us anything, it’s that the Steelers must address wide receiver in the offseason. A lot will fall on Russell Wilson for holding the ball too long but you have to assume he didn’t see much out there with that group of receivers on the field.
The secondary is a primary problem
Dec 21, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) tackles Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (4) during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
It wasn’t long into Saturday’s game that the Steelers were minus three starters. Once cornerback Joey Porter Jr. went down, it put the team’s No. 3 and No. 4 cornerbacks into the starting lineup and the Ravens really took advantage.
The run game was actually working
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 21: Jaylen Warren #30 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is tackled by Nnamdi Madubuike #92 of the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on December 21, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
The combination of Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren went for 90 rushing yards on 21 carries. Unfortunately, the team wasn’t in a position to keep running the football when the passing game was so inept.
It's not the end of the world but you can see it from here
Dec 21, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) rushes during the second half against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
The Steelers have two games left to play and if we use the last two games as a guide, they will not beat the Chiefs on Christmas. This means they have to get a loss from the Ravens in one of their last two games to hold onto the AFC North. It also means the Steelers must beat the Bengals in Week 18 to hang onto the tiebreaker in case the Steelers and Ravens finish with the same record.
Russell Wilson lost the script
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 21: Pat Freiermuth #88 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is tackled by Ar’Darius Washington #29 of the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on December 21, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
One thing we saw from Wilson this week was him holding onto the football too long and it didn’t look like he had any quick options. This had been a new twist in the offense in recent weeks to help Wilson get rid of the ball sooner but this was once again absent.
Defense lacking fundamentals
Dec 21, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) runs for a gain defended by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) in the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images
Last week the Steelers had their highest number of missed tackles and when the final numbers come in from this game, we expect it to give that number a run for its money.
