The Steelers vs Baltimore Ravens Match Player Stats rivalry is one of the most intense in the NFL, a clash of titans that never fails to deliver heart-pounding action. Known for their physical play, defensive prowess, and high-stakes moments, these games are a football fan’s dream. The January 11, 2025, AFC Wild Card matchup was no exception, with the Ravens dominating the Steelers 28-14 at M&T Bank Stadium. In this article, we’ll break down the player stats from this thrilling game, highlighting key performances and what they mean for both teams. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual viewer, this easy-to-read guide will give you a clear picture of how the game unfolded.
The Stage: A Steelers vs Baltimore Ravens Match Player Stats Playoff Showdown
The Steelers vs Baltimore Ravens Match Player Stats have a storied history, with Pittsburgh leading the all-time series 36-27, including a 3-2 edge in playoff games. The 2024 regular season saw these teams split their matchups, with each winning at home. Pittsburgh took an 18-16 nail-biter in Week 11, while Baltimore responded with a 34-17 rout in Week 16. The Wild Card game was the rubber match, and the Ravens’ home-field advantage proved decisive. Let’s dive into the stats to see who shined and who struggled.
Baltimore Ravens: Offensive Firepower
The Ravens’ offense was a juggernaut, racking up 464 total yards, including a franchise playoff-record 299 rushing yards. Here’s a closer look at the standout performers.
Lamar Jackson: The Dual-Threat Maestro
Lamar Jackson, the two-time MVP, was a force of nature. Despite missing top receiver Zay Flowers due to a knee injury, Jackson didn’t miss a beat. He completed 13 of 15 passes for 175 yards, throwing two touchdowns with no interceptions, earning a passer rating of around 150. His precision was evident in a 15-yard touchdown pass to Rashod Bateman on the opening 95-yard drive, one of the longest opening touchdown drives in the Super Bowl era. Jackson also dazzled on the ground, rushing 13 times for 81 yards, including 75 yards before contact thanks to his read-option mastery. His ability to extend plays, like a 6.31-second scramble before finding Justice Hill for a 5-yard touchdown, left the Steelers’ defense scrambling.
Derrick Henry: The King of the Ground Game
Derrick Henry, the 31-year-old running back, proved age is just a number. He ran for 186 yards on 26 carries, scoring two touchdowns and setting a Ravens playoff record. His 44-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, where he hit a top speed of 20.6 mph, was a highlight-reel moment. Henry forced 12 missed tackles and gained 157 yards after contact, the third-most in a single game this season. His physicality was on full display, starting with a stiff-arm to Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick on the opening drive. Henry’s 8-yard touchdown in the second quarter and his long third-quarter score helped Baltimore build an insurmountable 21-0 halftime lead.
Supporting Cast: Bateman and Hill Step Up
With Flowers sidelined, Rashod Bateman became Jackson’s go-to target. He caught a 15-yard touchdown on the opening drive, finishing with solid numbers despite limited targets. Justice Hill also made a big impact, hauling in a 5-yard touchdown pass just before halftime to cap a 90-yard drive. The Ravens’ offense averaged 6.4 yards per play and controlled the clock for 39:33, wearing down Pittsburgh’s defense.
Pittsburgh Steelers: A Tough Day at the Office
The Steelers struggled early, managing just 60 yards in the first half and trailing 21-0 at halftime. While they showed fight in the third quarter, the deficit was too much to overcome. Here’s how their key players fared.
Russell Wilson: Late Spark, Early Struggles
Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh’s veteran quarterback, had a rocky start. He completed 18 of 29 passes for 270 yards, throwing two touchdowns but no interceptions. However, his early performance was marred by frantic footwork and pressure from Baltimore’s defense, which sacked him three times. Wilson found his rhythm in the third quarter, leading a 98-yard drive capped by a 30-yard touchdown pass to Van Jefferson and later hitting George Pickens for a 36-yard score. Despite these efforts, Wilson’s 141 yards in the first half were dwarfed by Baltimore’s 308, and the Steelers’ offense couldn’t sustain momentum.
George Pickens: A Mixed Bag
George Pickens, Pittsburgh’s top receiver, had a quiet game by his standards. Targeted six times, he caught just one pass for 36 yards, which was a touchdown in the third quarter. In their Week 11 matchup, Pickens had eight catches for 89 yards on 12 targets, but Baltimore’s secondary, led by Brandon Stephens, clamped down this time. The Ravens allowed only 6.3 yards per attempt on passes outside the numbers, neutralizing Pickens’ deep-threat ability.
Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren: Ground Game Stifled
The Steelers’ rushing attack was nonexistent, totaling just 29 yards on 11 carries, the lowest in their playoff history. Najee Harris managed 23 yards on seven carries, while Jaylen Warren added minimal yardage. Baltimore’s defense, anchored by Nnamdi Madubuike and Kyle Van Noy, dominated the line of scrimmage, limiting Pittsburgh’s ability to establish the run. In their two regular-season games against Baltimore, Harris and Warren combined for 295 scrimmage yards, but they were held to under 60 in this playoff matchup.
Defensive Showdowns
Both teams are known for their stout defenses, and the stats reflect their physicality. Let’s break it down.
Ravens’ Defense: First-Half Dominance
Baltimore’s defense set the tone, pitching a first-half shutout—the first time they’ve done so in the postseason since Super Bowl XXXV. They held Pittsburgh to two first downs and 60 yards in the first 30 minutes. Nnamdi Madubuike was a game-changer, recording a sack and batting down a pass on a critical third-quarter drive that halted a Steelers comeback. Kyle Van Noy added pressure, continuing his five-game sack streak. The Ravens’ 54 regular-season sacks (second in the NFL) translated to three in this game, with a pressure rate that disrupted Wilson’s rhythm early. Linebacker Roquan Smith’s absence in the second half due to a hamstring injury didn’t derail Baltimore, as Marlon Humphrey and others stepped up.
Steelers’ Defense: Overwhelmed Early
Pittsburgh’s defense, the NFL’s highest-paid at over $137 million, couldn’t stop Baltimore’s rushing onslaught. They allowed 299 rushing yards, the most in Steelers’ playoff history, surpassing the 232 yards given up to Oakland in 1973. T.J. Watt, a perennial All-Pro, was quiet despite his 8.5 career sacks against Jackson. The Steelers blitzed Jackson on 68% of his dropbacks, the second-highest rate he’s faced, but Baltimore’s read-option scheme exploited their aggression. Pittsburgh did manage four sacks on Jackson, but their third-down blitz rate (16.9%) was among the league’s lowest, limiting their ability to disrupt Baltimore’s rhythm.
Special Teams: A Quiet Factor
Special teams didn’t decide the game, but both units had moments. Baltimore’s Justin Tucker was perfect on extra points, while Pittsburgh’s Chris Boswell didn’t attempt a field goal. Steelers punter Corliss Waitman averaged 51.2 yards on five punts, all landing inside the 20, a playoff record for Pittsburgh. However, Baltimore’s time-of-possession dominance (39:33 vs. 20:27) limited Pittsburgh’s special teams impact.
Key Steelers vs Baltimore Ravens Match Player Stats at a Glance
Here’s a quick table summarizing the top performers:
|
Player |
Team |
Key Stats |
|---|---|---|
|
Lamar Jackson |
Ravens |
13/15, 175 pass yds, 2 pass TDs, 81 rush yds |
|
Derrick Henry |
Ravens |
26 carries, 186 rush yds, 2 TDs, 12 missed tackles forced |
|
Rashod Bateman |
Ravens |
1 TD catch, key 15-yd score on opening drive |
|
Justice Hill |
Ravens |
5-yd TD catch, key contributor in passing game |
|
Russell Wilson |
Steelers |
18/29, 270 pass yds, 2 TDs, 3 sacks taken |
|
George Pickens |
Steelers |
1 catch, 36 yds, 1 TD |
|
Najee Harris |
Steelers |
7 carries, 23 rush yds |
|
Nnamdi Madubuike |
Ravens |
1 sack, 1 pass defended, disrupted key drive |
|
T.J. Watt |
Steelers |
Limited impact, no sacks recorded |
What the Steelers vs Baltimore Ravens Match Player Stats Tell Us
The Ravens’ dominance was rooted in their rushing attack, led by Jackson and Henry, who combined for 267 yards—the second-most by a QB-RB duo in NFL playoff history. Baltimore’s ability to control the clock (nearly 40 minutes) and convert 29 first downs kept Pittsburgh’s defense on its heels. The Steelers’ inability to establish their run game (29 yards) forced Wilson into a one-dimensional passing attack, which Baltimore’s secondary handled well despite missing key players.
For Pittsburgh, the loss marked their sixth straight playoff defeat, tying the NFL’s longest active streak. Their 21-point halftime deficit was their second-worst in playoff history, and their five-game losing streak to end the 2024 season raises questions about their offseason plans, especially with Wilson and Justin Fields set to hit free agency.
The Steelers vs Baltimore Ravens Match Player Stats Rivalry in Context
This game added another chapter to a rivalry that’s been ranked as the NFL’s best by outlets like Bleacher Report. Since 1996, when the Ravens joined the NFL, these teams have played 63 times, with Pittsburgh holding a 36-27 edge. The physicality was evident, with Henry’s stiff-arms and Baltimore’s defense forcing punts on Pittsburgh’s first four drives. The Ravens’ 28-14 win was a statement, advancing them to the Divisional Round while ending Pittsburgh’s season.
Looking Ahead
The Ravens await the winner of the Broncos-Bills game. A Bills victory sends Baltimore to Buffalo for a clash of MVP candidates (Jackson vs. Josh Allen), while a Broncos upset means a home game against Houston. For the Steelers, the offseason brings uncertainty. Will they stick with Wilson or Fields at quarterback? Can their high-priced defense rebound from this performance? One thing is certain: the next Steelers-Ravens matchup will be must-watch football.
Why This Steelers vs Baltimore Ravens Match Player Stats Matters to Fans
For fans, this game was a microcosm of the rivalry—hard-hitting, emotional, and full of standout performances. Whether you’re cheering for Baltimore’s dynamic offense or Pittsburgh’s gritty defense, the stats tell a story of two teams giving everything. The Ravens’ rushing dominance and Jackson’s poise under pressure were the difference, but Pittsburgh’s third-quarter fight showed their resilience.