Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry dominate in Ravens wild-card win over Steelers

BALTIMORE — The Baltimore Ravens stated all week that they signed Derrick Henry for this time of the season — and the Pro Bowl operating again confirmed why in Saturday’s wild-card recreation.

On a chilly winter night time within the postseason, Henry set a Ravens playoff file by operating for 186 yards and two touchdowns because the Ravens beat the Pittsburgh Steelers, 28-14, at M&T Bank Stadium. Along with quarterback Lamar Jackson‘s 82 dashing yards, the Ravens totaled 298 yards dashing, which additionally established a brand new franchise postseason mark.

The Ravens superior to the divisional spherical for the third time in 5 years. If the Buffalo Bills beat the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Baltimore will play at Buffalo subsequent weekend. If the Bills get upset at residence, the Ravens will play host to the Houston Texans.

Jackson was with out his No. 1 goal in vast receiver Zay Flowers, who was sidelined with a knee harm, however Baltimore nonetheless had Henry. In his first season with Baltimore, Henry has proven his game wasn’t in decline regardless of his age. At 31 years, 7 days previous, Henry is the third-oldest participant in NFL historical past to file 150 dashing yards in a playoff recreation, in keeping with ESPN Research.

This was an emotional win in opposition to the Ravens’ largest AFC North rival. Baltimore beat Pittsburgh in consecutive conferences for the primary time since 2019.

Here’s what to know for each groups:

Promising pattern: For the primary time within the postseason, Jackson led a landing drive on the opening possession — and it was a marathon. The Ravens’ 95-yard collection was the second-longest opening landing drive within the Super Bowl period, in keeping with ESPN Research. Jackson capped the drive with a 15-yard landing move to vast receiver Rashod Bateman. The Ravens have been 8-0 in regular-season video games the place Bateman scored a landing.

Eye-popping stat: Henry reached a prime velocity of 20.6 mph on his 44-yard rating, his longest landing run within the playoffs. It was Henry’s second landing run this season when he reached no less than 20 mph, in keeping with NFL Next Gen Stats. Only Philadelphia Eagles operating again Saquon Barkley has extra dashing touchdowns (seven) the place he exceeded 20 mph.

Most stunning efficiency: Jackson operating the ball. In a daily season the place he ran the ball much less, Jackson took benefit of the Steelers crashing on the operating backs on Baltimore’s run choices and made them pay. Jackson produced 82 dashing yards on 14 carries, which was his most since October. With 603 yards dashing within the playoffs, he surpassed Steve Young for essentially the most dashing yards by a quarterback in NFL postseason historical past. — Jamison Hensley

Next recreation: at Bills or vs. Texans

The rosters, opponents and placement modified, however the outcomes stayed the identical.

For the fifth time since 2017, the Steelers, regardless of remaking their quarterback room within the offseason and boasting one of many league’s highest-paid defenses, exited the playoffs after one recreation, this time in an uninspired 28-14 loss to the Ravens.

With the defeat, the Steelers ended the 2024 season on a five-game dropping streak after beginning the season 10-3. Pittsburgh by no means led at any level in any of these 5 losses.

In an all-too acquainted story Saturday night time, the Steelers have been completely overpowered within the first half of a playoff recreation. Then, a burst of hope adopted by a rally that got here up quick.

In the Steelers’ once-sterling playoff historical past, their 21-point halftime deficit ranks second solely to the 25-point deficit they confronted in opposition to the Cleveland Browns within the 2020 wild-card loss.

The Steelers mustered 14 factors within the third quarter to twice reduce the Raven’s result in 14, however they by no means bought any nearer.

With 80 wins within the final eight seasons, the Steelers have essentially the most regular-season wins in an eight-year stretch and not using a playoff victory in NFL historical past.

Pivotal play: Facing 4th-and-inches within the second quarter, Mike Tomlin seemingly lived in his fears by opting to punt the ball again to the league’s MVP frontrunner relatively than belief his offense to realize minimal distance. As a consequence, the NFL’s highest paid protection gave up a 13-play, 85-yard drive — all rushes — capped by an eight-yard Derrick Henry landing to provide the Ravens a 14-0 lead.

Biggest gap within the recreation plan: Not accounting for Jackson’s read-option rushes. After giving up 167 yards to Henry in Week 16, the Steelers have been adamant that stopping the operating again was their prime precedence this time round. Not solely did they not do this, however in addition they could not cease Jackson’s learn choice carries. The Ravens duo mixed for 164 dashing yards within the first half, and Jackson had 75 yards earlier than contact on his 13 carries, per ESPN Research. As a group, the Ravens racked up 131 dashing yards earlier than contact within the first half.

Troubling pattern: Slow begins. One of solely a handful of groups to not rating a landing on their opening drive this season, the Steelers continued their irritating pattern of gradual begins. Trailing 21-0 at halftime on Saturday night time, Pittsburgh was outscored 81-37 and outgained 1,032-565 within the first halves of its final 5 losses. Perhaps much more troubling is identical sample carrying by means of within the Steelers’ final six playoff losses. Including Saturday night time, the group has been outscored by a mixed 96 factors and outgained by 641 yards courting again to the 2016 AFC Championship loss in opposition to the New England Patriots. — Brooke Pryor