Can Steelers’ Surging Defense Stop Ravens’ Elite Run Offense?

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense has taken a step back in Teryl Austin’s second year at the helm, slipping to 15th in points allowed and 27th in yards allowed after ranking eighth and 12th in those categories last year, respectively.

Whereas the Steelers’ defense collapsed down the stretch last year, however, Austin’s unit is finishing this season strong. Despite missing T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh has allowed the fewest rushing yards in the NFL over the last three weeks, surrendering just 158 yards on the ground during that time.

Now, with a playoff berth on the line in Week 18, the Steelers will face one of their toughest tests yet in the Baltimore Ravens. Led by Derrick Henry, who’s coming off a four-touchdown performance against the Green Bay Packers last week, the Ravens ran for 217 yards against Pittsburgh in Week 14.

Baltimore has the NFL’s best rushing offense, leading the league in rushing yards and rushing yards per attempt. The Steelers’ postseason hopes depend on slowing that unit down with Watt potentially sidelined again.

“The last three weeks, we’ve lived up to the task. Sunday will be another test, and we’ll see if we live up to it. And that’s really the goal,” Austin said during Thursday’s press conference. “We got another chance to try to be better than we were last week this week, and that’s our goal.”

While Pittsburgh benefitted from an easy matchup against the Cleveland Browns last week, it held the Detroit Lions’ elite rushing attack to just 15 yards on the ground the week before.

The Ravens have rushed for over 100 yards in all four of their games against Austin’s Steelers, including over 200 yards in each of the last three. Pittsburgh is 2-2 in those contests, but winning on Sunday will be a lot easier if the Steelers can stop Baltimore on the ground.

More Steelers: Ravens’ Lamar Jackson Declares Himself Starting QB Against Steelers