The Baltimore Ravens will face division rival’s Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card round on Saturday at M&T Bank Stadium as Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry and the rest of the Flock want to have a special 2025 by reaching the Super Bowl, something they haven’t done since 2013.
The Ravens and Steelers have met four times in the playoffs, but this will be the first time in Baltimore. Their last meeting was in the 2014 Wild-Card round, a 30-17 win for the Ravens. The No. 3-seed Baltimore (12-5) enter the playoffs riding a four-game winning streak. The No. 6-seeded Pittsburgh (10-7) are on a four-game losing streak.
The Baltimore Ravens practice in freezing weather for their Wild Card game against the Pittsburgh Steelers
The Flock beat the Steelers, 34-17 at M&T Bank Stadium on Dec. 21, behind a dramatic fourth-quarter pick-six by cornerback Marlon Humphrey. Prior to that, however, the Steelers had won eight of the last nine meetings between them.
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The Ravens train among piles of snow
A winter storm caused significant snow accumulation in Baltimore and its surrounding areas as well as icy conditions, and freezing temperatures across the region. Baltimore City saw snow accumulation of at least 4 inches, which prompted authorities to issue a State of Emergency.
The Ravens felt the freezing conditions this Tuesday as they practiced among piles of snow that had to be taken off the field so that the player were able to prepare for Saturday’s game against the Steelers. At the moment of practice it felt like 18, something that didn’t stopped the players from getting their work on.
The National Weather Service’s forecast for Baltimore on Saturday include snow showers early, peaks of sunshine later, as well as High around 40 with winds at 10 to 15 miles per hour. Chance of snow would be at 50% with snow accumulations less than one inch.
Lamar Jackson has waited long enough
For Lamar Jackson, the quest to win a Super Bowl has been a seven-year mission, a career-long itch he can only scratch by winning the Lombardi Trophy. He’s a perfectionist, driven not by fame or money, but by his compulsion to win. He loves competition, but he craves championships.
Yet when asked how badly he wants to win the Super Bowl this year, Jackson immediately brought up the 17-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in last year’s AFC Championship game. The pain of that experience remains vivid.
Judging by his play this year, the best is yet to come. Tuesday was Jackson’s 28th birthday, but the gift he wants most will have to be earned during the playoffs. While Lamar said he’s gotten better about not listening to the outside noise, he’d love never to hear again, “But he’s never won a Super Bowl”.
