My final Pittsburgh Steelers pregame thoughts as the team heads to Baltimore for their first meeting with the Ravens this season.

1. DIVISION GAMES ARE JUST DIFFERENT

We always think we know which team is better before kickoff but when it’s two opponents in the same division, the battle is always fierce. And often, more even. The teams know each other well and the coaching staff knows the other team’s tendencies. On top of that, the game is typically more physical, leading to injuries that can shorten the day for key starters.

In recent years, the Ravens have felt like the better team. The last time the Steelers won the AFC North was 2020. Since Lamar Jackson was drafted in 2018, the Ravens have won the division four times. In that span, Baltimore was one-and-done in the playoffs three times. The other four playoff appearances, they won their first game but were eliminated the following week.

In head-to-head games, however it’s a different story. Since Jackson was drafted, the Steelers lead the Ravens 9-6 in the series. With Lamar playing, the Steelers still hold the advantage 5-3. The Ravens have won the last two games, their second regular season match and the Wild Card round.

2.  CAN THE STEELERS STOP DERRICK HENRY?

Any normal person’s first instinct will be a quick “no” in response to that question. But the Steelers have held Derrick Henry in check in the past. I talked about that in my Terrible Take prior to their first regular season meeting last year, where the Steelers did, in fact, limit Henry to 65 yards and a single rushing touchdown. The result was a victory for the Steelers.

In the second meeting last year and again in the playoffs, it was a very different story. Henry rushed for 162 yards and 186 yards in those games with Baltimore enjoying a seemingly easy victory.

Henry has only broken 100 yards rushing twice in the past five games, and the teams that held him to less than that don’t necessarily boast powerful run defenses. He can be held in check. The Steelers have done it multiple times in the past. They will need all hands on deck to do it this week.

3. FRESH BLOOD COULD HELP THE OFFENSE

The Steelers offense couldn’t get anything done in the second half last week. The run game stalled, the receivers ran the wrong routes, and Rodgers wasn’t sharp. Against the Ravens, the Steelers can’t expect to win if Chris Boswell is the only player to score points.

There should be some new faces in the line-up this week. The Steelers claimed veteran WR Adam Thielen off waivers this week. The team also elevated WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling from the practice squad, his first opportunity for a helmet since he signed with the team. While it is unlikely that either pass catcher will see many snaps in an offense that favors multiple tight end sets, an injection of fresh energy couldn’t hurt.

4. THE PLAYOFFS START NOW

While the Steelers wouldn’t technically be eliminated from the playoffs if they lost to the Ravens, it is very unlikely they would find a path to the post-season. With both teams at 6-6, neither the Ravens nor the Steelers are likely to earn a Wild Card berth if they fail to win the division. There are too many teams in the AFC with a better record right now. The only clear path is to host a home game as the AFC North champion.

Even if the Steelers find a way to win, that isn’t necessarily enough. They need to keep doing it. The Ravens seem to be finding their groove at the right time, with a 4-1 record since Lamar Jackson returned from injury.

5. DOES ANYONE THINK THE STEELERS CAN WIN?

Vegas has the Ravens favored by six points. Almost every member of the national media is picking Baltimore to win. I doubt the fans who were booing the team (and Renegade!) have any faith the Steelers can pull off a win as the obvious underdog.

The biggest question is whether the team thinks they can win. We have all seen the Steelers suffer ugly losses over the years and bounce back with a dominant win the following week. They somehow maintained their swagger and confidence in those situations. After two horrible performances in all three units against the Chicago Bears and the Buffalo Bills, it’s fair to wonder if the players themselves are questioning whether they have what it takes to beat the Ravens. It doesn’t help that players are mentioning issues with schematics and referencing bad practices.

Mike Tomlin has been one of the most successful coaches in the league over the years when it comes to keeping a team together and giving them a reason to believe in what they can achieve. But has his message finally gone stale? If the Steelers show little effort and heart on Sunday, we will have a clear answer.