Whether Lamar Jackson secures a third MVP award or not, there’s no denying that he is enjoying an exceptional season. However, his individual performance alone might not be enough to secure the AFC North title for the Baltimore Ravens. To claim the division, Jackson and his team will need to overcome some hurdles, particularly when it comes to their defense, which has struggled against some of the league’s top offenses this season.
Typically, Jackson can depend on his defense to alleviate some of the pressure, but this season, the Ravens’ defense has faltered at times, allowing opponents to exploit weaknesses. These defensive lapses have contributed to the team’s growing list of losses, and now the Ravens find themselves in a precarious position, with a division title not guaranteed and their playoff hopes hanging in the balance. The Ravens must defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers in their upcoming Saturday game if they want to keep their title aspirations alive.
Historically, the Steelers have been one of the toughest opponents for Lamar Jackson. His lowest passer ratings in both 2023 and 2024 came in games against Pittsburgh, who have somehow managed to consistently contain him. The upcoming matchup is pivotal for both teams, as another loss to the Steelers would likely have significant consequences for Baltimore’s season. On the other hand, a victory would propel the Ravens back into the race for a potential home playoff game.
Currently, the Ravens trail the Steelers by one game in the AFC North standings. A win would allow Baltimore to even the score, bringing both teams to the same record. However, with only two games left in the regular season, the Steelers would remain in the lead due to their advantage in the division.
The situation creates a tight battle for supremacy in the AFC North, especially as both teams would be tied in terms of their season series and divisional record, at least for the moment. In this case, the tiebreaker would then shift to the teams’ records against common opponents. The Steelers currently hold a narrow edge in this category, but with the season winding down, this could still change as both teams face off against similar opponents in their remaining games.
If the Ravens lose on Saturday, their hopes of winning the division would all but vanish. They would fall two games behind the Steelers with no way to make up ground, especially with Pittsburgh holding the crucial head-to-head tiebreaker. In this scenario, the division title race would effectively be over for Baltimore.
However, a win against Pittsburgh, while not immediately putting the Ravens in the lead, would place them in a strong position to potentially take the top spot. This is because, should the Ravens triumph over the Steelers, they would be in a favorable position to capitalize on a possible Steelers loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Day. With both teams’ schedules winding down, this would create an opportunity for the Ravens to leapfrog Pittsburgh, giving them a potential edge heading into the final stretch of the season.
In summary, Lamar Jackson’s outstanding performance is crucial to the Ravens’ success, but the outcome of their upcoming game against the Steelers could prove to be a defining moment in their bid for the AFC North crown. The defense must step up to give Jackson the support he needs, as any further mistakes could leave the Ravens with little chance of securing a division title. The stakes are high, and a win on Saturday is vital for Baltimore to stay in contention and keep their playoff hopes alive.
