When these teams met last month, skill players not named George Pickens combined for 116 receiving yards on 20 targets. In the Steelers' most recent game - when Pickens did not play against the Philadelphia Eagles - Steelers receivers, tight ends and running backs combined for 128 receiving yards. With Pickens out again because of a hamstring injury, some pass catcher - any pass catcher - must find a way to produce if the Steelers offense is to be productive enough to win.
Key injuries
In addition to Pickens, the Steelers are without change-of-pace quarterback Justin Fields (abdominal) and are likely going to be without starting strong safety DeShon Elliott (hamstring) for a second consecutive game. Two other starters on defense are listed as questionable: cornerback Donte Jackson (back) and defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi (groin).
Two Ravens receivers - Rashod Bateman (foot) and Nelson Agholor (concussion) - are listed as questionable, as are starting guard Daniel Faalele (knee) and starting defensive end Odafe Oweh (ankle).
Much has been made this week about how the Steelers have won eight of the past nine against the Ravens, including a four-game winning streak in Baltimore. ... Each of the aforementioned nine meetings have been decided by seven points or less, including six by four points or less. ... This is the second time in calendar year 2024 that the Steelers are playing a Saturday game at M&T Bank Stadium. The teams concluded their respective 2023 regular seasons on Sat. Jan. 6, 2024. ... This is the fourth Saturday kickoff between the teams since 2011. ... The Steelers have had a different starting quarterback for each of the past four games in Baltimore: Ben Roethlisberger in 2021, Kenny Pickett the next year, Mason Rudolph last season and Russell Wilson on Saturday. ... The Steelers are 15-13 playing the Ravens in Baltimore. ... Since the Ravens were established in 1996, 24 of the Steelers' wins against them have been by one score or less.
Notable
The Steelers' Mike Tomlin and Ravens' John Harbaugh have faced each other as head coaches 36 prior times (including playoffs), the second-most meetings for any coaching pair. ... Baltimore's Justin Tucker (89.03%) and the Steelers' Chris Boswell (87.91%) rank among the top four in NFL history in field goal accuracy. ... Star Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt has 17 sacks in his career against the Ravens, tied with the Cleveland Browns for the most against any opponent. Watt has a remarkable 11-game streak of having a sack against Baltimore, totaling 16 sacks in those 11 games. ... This is the Steelers' 120 game on five days rest, most of any team since they joined the league in 1933. The Steelers also have an NFL-most 63 victories on five days rest in that time. ... Since 2007, however, the Ravens have the most wins on five days rest of any team (19). The Steelers have 16.
Fantasy tip
Baltimore tight end Mark Andrews is tied for the NFL lead among tight ends with eight touchdown receptions. All have come over the past eight games - including one Andrews touchdown each of the past three weeks. Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth likewise has a three-game scoring streak.