The 2025 Pittsburgh Steelers are a tough team to figure out. After a 4-1 start to the season, the team was on a high. The Baltimore Ravens began 1-5 and it appeared the Black and Gold would cruise to another AFC North Division title.
Then the bottom fell out and the Steelers lost the next three out of five games. The next three games after that, they lost two more. Baltimore got their act together and started gaining ground on Pittsburgh. A three-game winning streak leading up to the ugly Browns loss made it seem that the team had finally reached the level of play they were seeking all season.
The loss to the Cleveland Browns gave all Steelers fans the impression that perhaps the previous winning streak was a smoke screen. Inconsistency was Pittsburgh’s M.O. all season but those consecutive victories over Baltimore, Miami, and Detroit seemed to right the ship.
But the Browns upset the apple cart, and the Steelers took major steps backwards. What happened in Cleveland should never have been the result. Much blame and deservedly so is being placed on DK Metcalf. His decision to punch a fan in Detroit backfired on him in so many ways. He lost tons of money. He was suspended by the NFL for the final two games of the season.
Metcalf’s absence in Cleveland played a major part in the loss. Arthur Smith’s game plan, Mike Tomlin’s lack of being an aggressive and then there is the play of Aaron Rodgers. The fact that Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell were not used in the passing game absolutely had an influence in the loss. Fans are still scratching their heads as to why Rodgers insisted on throwing to Marquez Valdes-Scantling three straight times on second and goal.
Now the question is which Steelers team shows up on national television Sunday night when the AFC North Division title is on the line. Immediately following the Cleveland game, most fans like me could not help but think that there would be no way the Steelers could defeat the Ravens for the division title this weekend even though the game is in Pittsburgh.
Through the week leading up to gametime, I’ve changed my tune. It appears T.J. Watt is going to play. A stat that opened my eyes is when Derrick Harmon is on the field, the rookie has helped the Steelers defense to be ranked #1 in the NFL in stopping the run. When he is not playing the Steelers are something like 26th. Harmon will play on Sunday night.
All the buzz this past week has been about the future of Mike Tomlin. The questions that need answers are with a win over Baltimore, does that save his job? If he wins and the Steelers get their home wild card playoff game a week later, does he keep his job with another first round loss? What if the Steelers defeat Baltimore, then whomever they play in the wild card round they defeat and Pittsburgh ends up in the divisional playoff round? Is Tomlin safe?
My feeling about Mike Tomlin is that he needs to win at least one playoff game. If he loses to the Ravens, he needs to go. We all have heard how the Rooney family does not fire head coaches. But Tomlin will have to be convinced to resign. The Steelers need a change. Management and coaching all went in with the changes this season just to get that coveted playoff win. If they fail to get one, then this season will be deemed a failure. Failure means loss of jobs, and it starts with Tomlin.
Even if they defeat Baltimore and then lose in the first round again, the aforementioned opinion remains. Win a first round game then the scenario changes a bit but there will be necessary changes heading into 2026. I believe Teryl Austin needs to be replaced regardless of how this season ends. Arthur Smith is a solid coach, but we need an offensive coordinator that has no fear of being more aggressive. If Tomlin does leave Pittsburgh who should replace him? My first choice would absolutely be Jon Gruden. His tough outlook on things would be an outstanding fit in the ‘Burgh. Next choice would be Mike McCarthy. He is from Pittsburgh so it would be a natural fit.
The atmosphere surrounding Mike Tomlin has gotten stale. I just don’t think Steelers Nation can tolerate another season of the stone face Tomlin and his lackadaisical attitude. Now for the game analysis.
When the Ravens have the ball
Lamar Jackson is scheduled to play. All-time he has a losing record facing the Steelers. Three wins and six losses. When playing in Pittsburgh he is 2-3. Jackson says he is healthy, but he skipped the Ravens’ last game in Green Bay with a bad back. Now he says he is healthy. I believe he is putting on a brave face.
Most Steelers fans have been calling “The Fan” radio show in Pittsburgh indicating they would prefer to have Lamar Jackson on the field instead of backup Tyler Huntley because of Jackson’s back issues. The focus will be on Derrick Henry for not just the Ravens but the Steelers’ defense. Based on history, Pittsburgh has held him in check if you discount last year’s embarrassing playoff loss.
In six games including when Henry was with the Tennessee Titans, he has rushed for 32, 75, 75, 65, 162, and 94 yards. In last year’s wild card game, he finished with 186 yards and scored two touchdowns. In those other six games, the Titans lost all three games with Derrick Henry in the backfield. When the stud running back signed with Baltimore, his first two games facing the Steelers he lost then the Ravens won with Henry rushing for 162 yards.
In the six regular season games Derrick Henry has managed only three rushing touchdowns facing the Steelers defense. His per game rushing average is 83.8 yard per game in those six contests and his per carry mark is 4.7 but those numbers are helped by that one 162-yard game. He can be shut down.
If Jackson is throwing the ball the Steelers will need to keep their eye on Zay Flowers, Baltimore’s leading receiver. Mark Andrews remains a dangerous weapon. Then Pittsburgh needs to keep an awareness on Deandre Hopkins, Isaiah Likely, and Rashod Batemen.
When the Steelers have the ball
Here is where a big difference in this game could lie. Last week the Steelers’ offense was horrendous. I’m still waiting for an explanation on why Aaron Rodgers insisted on throwing to former teammate Marquez Valdes-Scantling three straight times as the game clock was expiring and never connecting on any of them. Scantling was awful in this game and should have been cut soon as the game was over.
Why did Arthur Smith abandon throws to Warren and Gainwell coming out of the backfield? Those plays have been working extremely well but they disappeared in Cleveland. Pat Freiermuth made two big catches to get the Steelers into the red zone, but Smith and Rodgers waited until there was nearly no time left to use him more.
The game plan was terrible, and we can only hope they learned from it. I think Aaron Rodgers and the offense will get back to basics and wait for the defense to get them some opportunities. Baltimore’s defense is a far car from Cleveland’s so Pittsburgh needs to play smart and play without penalties and certainly do not turn the ball over.
Intangibles
Home field advantage is not what it used to be. This home game may be different, however, the fans packing Acrisure Stadium are aware of the situation for their Steelers. Turnovers would be nice for the Steelers as when they win the turnover battle under John Harbaugh Baltimore has lost 11 of 15 games.
On a sidenote, the Steelers are a two-time offender in one category. Since the 1970 merger of the AFL and NFL, only four teams finished a season having opponents outrush them by 800 or more yards. This season the Steelers are down 903 yards to opposing teams and they also went over the 800 mark in 1989. The other two teams are the 1983 Seattle Seahawks and the 2017 Buffalo Bills.
Looking at this game from my perspective, if there is one positive about Mike Tomlin’s tenure with the Steelers is that his teams typically come back strong after a bad loss. Such is the case here. But with so much on the line, I honestly believe the defense is going to be super fired up. I expect them to come out of the tunnel like they were caged animals. I sure hope that is the case.
The Steelers usually perform well with their backs to the wall and by being humiliated last week in Cleveland they surely don’t want to have back-to-back pathetic performances.
