Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) hits Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) on his way to score a rushing touchdown during the second half of an NFL Wild Card Playoff football game. ) and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24). , Saturday, January 11, 2025, Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarborough)
BALTIMORE — Lamar Jackson passed to Derrick Henry and slid to his left as if he still had the ball. Several linebackers moved into Jackson’s path, leaving the middle open for Henry to complete a 44-yard touchdown.
That’s the predicament Jackson and Henry create for defensive players. First, we need to figure out who has the ball. And if enough guys are out of position, one of Baltimore’s stars could pay the price.
Jackson threw two touchdowns in a perfect first half, Henry scored twice while leading Baltimore’s devastating running game, and the Ravens defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 28-14 on Saturday night to advance to the AFC playoffs. advanced to the 2nd round.
Jackson and Henry had the Steelers chasing them all night as Baltimore overwhelmed Pittsburgh 299-29. This was the most rushing yards allowed by Pittsburgh in a playoff game, breaking the previous record of 232 set by the Oakland Raiders 51 years ago.
“My dad is proud. Jack Harbaugh is proud right now. He likes to hit the rock,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “Derrick Henry was running hard physically. Lamar started that. Lamar carried the ball at different times, either on the first drive or the second drive.”
The Ravens opened up a 21-0 halftime lead and defended it against their AFC North rivals before moving on to face either Buffalo or Houston. Baltimore had a 19-2 first-down advantage in the first half as the Ravens had touchdown drives of 95, 85 and 90 yards.
Henry ran for 186 yards.
Jackson, a two-time MVP looking to make a run in the postseason, made it clear from the start that he intended to let Pittsburgh (10-8) protect his arm and leg. He kept the chains moving, and the Ravens (13-5) were happy to advance the ball methodically against a Steelers team that has relied heavily on forcing turnovers this season.
“They understood how to win football games like this,” Harbaugh said. “It’s one thing to know that, it’s another thing to do it and do it, but they did it.”
Pittsburgh’s season ended with a five-game losing streak, two of which came at Baltimore. The ending was a familiar one for the Steelers, who have lost six straight in the playoffs. The last three postseason appearances have resulted in losses in games that clearly showed the difference between Pittsburgh and the conference’s true favorites.
“They were the better group today, that was obvious,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. “The X-factor was Lamar’s unique talent. Every time we put him behind, he seemed to make up for it.”
The Ravens had 10 touchdown drives of 90 yards or more during the regular season, the most by any team since at least 2000. They started from their own 5 yards on their first possession and drove 13 plays to a touchdown.
The Steelers have recently made a habit of capitalizing on Baltimore’s mistakes to win close games against the Ravens. The Ravens avoided that problem Saturday without taking much of a risk.
They got creative on the first drive, with Jackson coming to the side and faking a sweep while Henry lined up for a direct snap from center field. Henry kept the ball for a 34-yard gain. Jackson capped off the possession with a 15-yard scoring shot to Rashod Bateman, who was Baltimore’s top healthy receiver with Zay Flowers (knee) out.
Jackson was 16-of-21 for 175 yards and rushed for 81 yards.
Henry made it 14-0 with an 8-yard run with 4:09 left in the first half, but the Ravens did not attempt a single pass on that 13-play drive. After a Pittsburgh punt, the Steelers called a timeout on a third-and-two from the Baltimore 18 and tried to get the ball back, but the Ravens converted and quickly moved into position to score.
On second down from the Pittsburgh 5 with 11 seconds left, Jackson scrambled to run out most of the time, but ended up throwing the ball to an open Justice Hill and into the end zone with 2 seconds left.
“I think in his head, he knows what 11 seconds is,” Harbaugh said. “In my mind, the clock was ticking a little faster. I was like, ‘Just throw that thing away.’ He threw it, it was a touchdown. All I can say is “Amazing.” I think I said “Wow” about seven times on the spot. ”
The Steelers drove 98 yards for a touchdown on their first possession of the second half, with Russell Wilson throwing a 30-yard scoring pass to Van Jefferson. Baltimore responded right away when Henry burst through the middle for a 44-yard TD.
Wilson responded with a 36-yard touchdown strike to George Pickens in the third, but that was all he scored. On a night when neither team was able to turn the ball over, Wilson completed 20 of 29 for 270 yards.
big day
This was the second-highest rushing total of Henry’s postseason career, with the only one higher coming five years ago at the same stadium. On January 11, 2020, as a member of the Tennessee Titans, he rushed for 195 yards in a win over Jackson and the top-seeded Ravens.
“You just have to pass the ball, whether it’s 10 yards, 20 yards, 30 yards, just relaxing,” Jackson said. “When they’re attacking him and I leave, I’m fresh. It just makes my job a lot easier. We’re just piggybacking off each other.”
injury
Pittsburgh T Dan Moore Jr. injured his ankle. … Jackson said he was wrapped up with his knees against his back but wasn’t limited by the issue.
to the next
If the Ravens host a game next weekend, Denver will need to win against Buffalo on Sunday. If that happens, Houston will come to Baltimore. Otherwise, Baltimore will head to Buffalo to play Jackson and fellow MVP candidate Josh Allen.
The Steelers enter the offseason after Wilson and Tomlin made the playoffs, but a once-promising season ended in shock.
