BALTIMORE - With the weather at M&T Bank Stadium chilly and missing Pro Bowl wide receiver Zay Flowers, who was out with a knee injury, the Baltimore Ravens decided to go ground-and-pound against the Steelers here Saturday night in their AFC Super Wild Card game.
Typically, that plays into the hands of the Steelers, who had the NFL's sixth-stingiest run defense in the regular season.
But most teams also don't have a dual threat at quarterback in Lamar Jackson and a hammer of a running back quite like Derrick Henry.
Unfortunately for the Steelers, the Ravens do.
Henry rushed for 186 yards and two touchdowns, including 100 yards on 13 first-half carries, and Jackson added another 80 yards on the ground to go with 175 yards passing and two scores, as the Ravens ran the Steelers out of the playoffs, 28-14, here Saturday night.
"Congratulations to the Ravens," said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. "They were the better team. That was obvious. The X-factor was Lamar's talents. Every time we got them behind the sticks, he made up for it.
"We never really found a fluid answer all day."
Game action photos from the Steelers' Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) and Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
The offense huddles during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Montravius Adams Sr. (57) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Special teams during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre (42) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end/fullback Connor Heyward (83) and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Ben Skowronek (15) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety DeShon Elliott (25) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Broderick Jones (77), Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Spencer Anderson (74) and Pittsburgh Steelers guard Max Scharping (64) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Cameron Sutton (20) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre (42) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee (23) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington (80) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Williams (18) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Van Jefferson (11) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (9) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (99) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Elandon Roberts (50) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Williams (18) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Isaac Seumalo (73) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back/kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson (84) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety DeShon Elliott (25) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety DeShon Elliott (25) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
The offense huddles during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Elandon Roberts (50) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers assistant offensive line coach Isaac Williams during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Van Jefferson (11) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (99) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (9) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
The offense during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
The offense huddles during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (9) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end/fullback Connor Heyward (83) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Van Jefferson (11) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
A general view during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MD. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
The loss ends the Steelers' season in the Wild Card round of the AFC playoffs for the fourth time since 2020, with the past three of those defeats coming on the road.
The win was also the second by the Ravens over the Steelers in their past two games after the Steelers had won seven of the previous eight meetings. The Steelers had beaten Baltimore, 18-16, in Pittsburgh earlier this season, but were beaten 34-17 in the rematch at M&T Bank Stadium in Week 16.
As had been the case in the second meeting, when Henry rushed for 162 yards, the Steelers got a healthy dose of Henry early and often, as he rushed for more than 150 yards in his fourth-straight playoff game, though first with Baltimore. Henry signed as a free agent with the Ravens in the offseason.
Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson wasn't able to keep pace, despite throwing for 270 yards and two touchdowns. The Steelers had just 29 rushing yards on 11 carries as the Steelers were outained 464-280.
"We just weren't good enough," Tomlin said of his offense. "A drop here or there. When you play good people, it gets highlighted. We just weren't good enough,"
The first half couldn't have gone any worse for the Steelers.
They won the coin toss and took the football, but after picking up a first down the Steelers were forced to punt when Wilson was caught from behind on a third-and-6 scramble after just a 2-yard gain.
Baltimore took over at its own 5 and proceeded to utilize the legs of Jackson and Henry to go the length of the field. Jackson carried the ball five times for 22 yards and Henry had three for 49, the big gain coming on a Wildcat run of 34 yards, as the Ravens scored on a 15-yard pass from Jackson to Bateman for a 7-0 lead.
The Steelers again came up short on their next possession, but the defense forced a Baltimore punt and got the ball back on a nice open-field tackle by DeShon Elliott on the first play of the second quarter.
On third-and-2, however, tight end Pat Freiermuth was unable to escape the tackle of Ar'Darious Washington, getting stopped just short of the first down on a pass to the flat.
The Ravens made the Steelers pay, going on another long, sustained drive that saw them convert consecutive third-and-1s to start the possession that finished with an 8-yard touchdown run by Henry for a 14-0 lead.
The Steelers looked like they might answer when Wilson lofted a pass deep downfield for George Pickens on third-and-8 from the Pittsburgh 44. Pickens hauled the pass in at the Baltimore 7 for what would have been a 49-yard gain. But Pickens was flagged for offensive pass interference, negating the gain.
The Steelers were again forced to punt at the two-minute warning.
This time, Jackson used his arm to move the Ravens down the field, connecting on passes of 25 yards to Nelson Agholor after escaping pressure and rolling to his right and then finding Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely for gains of 24 and 19 yards to the Pittsburgh 5 with 11 seconds remaining in the half.
On second-and-goal, Jackson again evaded pressure in the pocket and flipped the ball to running back Justice Hill in the flat. Hill went into the end zone for a touchdown with two seconds remaining in the first half to give Baltimore a 21-0 halftime lead.
At that point, the Ravens had run 41 plays for 308 yards – 164 on the ground - and held the ball for 20:27. The Steelers had just two first downs and had 59 yards on 18 plays.
The Steelers got a defensive stop on the opening possession of the second half, but the punt was downed at the 3.
On third-and-9, Wilson fired a pass over the middle to Calvin Austin, who took a big hit at the end but held on for a 25-yard gain.
Then, on third-and-5, Wilson connected down the sideline for a 37-yard gain to Mike Williams.
Finally, on third-and-10 from the 30, Wilson hit a pass to Van Jefferson down the seam for a touchdown that put the Steelers on the board and cut the Baltimore lead to 21-7.
The momentum was short-lived, however, even though Alex Highsmith sacked Jackson on first down to set up second-and-20 on Baltimore's ensuing possession.
The Ravens rolled Jackson to his right, sealing T.J. Watt to the inside, and Jackson threw a 21-yard completion to Tylan Wallace to pick up the first down.
Henry broke free for a 44-yard touchdown run up the middle of the Steelers defense to give the Ravens a 28-7 lead with 5:49 remaining in the third quarter.
The Steelers again answered quickly, taking just five plays and 2:25 to score on a 36-yard pass from Wilson to Pickens, who split the cornerback and safety help over the top to walk into the end zone and make it 28-14 with 3:24 remaining in the third quarter.
The Steelers forced a three-and-out on Baltimore's next possession, but after getting the ball out to the 45, Wilson was sacked on third down on the final play of the third quarter and the Steelers opened the fourth quarter with a punt.
The Steelers again forced a punt, but not before the Ravens had taken another 6:24 off the clock, punting the ball back to Pittsburgh with 8:36 remaining.
But after back-to-back passes to Pickens to move across midfield, the Steelers turned the ball over on downs after a false start and sack pushed them back.
The Ravens ran out the clock from there, finishing off the game in Steelers' territory.
The Steelers held the ball for just over 20 minutes in the game.
"The opportunity was there," said Steelers defensive captain Cam Heyward. "But our execution was not. That's all I can think about right now."
