Ravens Fall Flat in Crucial Loss to Steelers: Who Stepped Up and Who Came Up Short in Week 14
In a game the Ravens had to have, they came up short-and not just on the scoreboard. Baltimore’s 27-22 loss to the Steelers on Sunday wasn’t just a missed opportunity; it was a gut punch that could reshape the rest of their season.
The defeat drops the Ravens a game behind Pittsburgh in the AFC North and hands the Steelers a valuable tiebreaker. With the playoff picture tightening, Baltimore’s margin for error just got razor-thin.
Let’s break down the key performances-both good and bad-from a frustrating Week 14 loss in Pittsburgh.
Loser: Daniel Faalele - Still Searching for Answers
It’s been a rocky sophomore season for right guard Daniel Faalele, and Sunday might’ve been the low point. The 6-foot-8, 370-pound lineman has struggled to find consistency all year, and against the Steelers, those struggles were magnified.
The most glaring moment? A third-down snap where Faalele was beaten clean off the edge-not by a defensive end, but by 5-foot-10 cornerback Brandin Echols. That’s not a mismatch you expect to lose if you’re Faalele, and it led directly to a sack on Lamar Jackson in a critical spot.
But it wasn’t just one play. Faalele looked out of sync for much of the game, and CBS sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson noted that Jackson had a heated exchange with him following a rough offensive stretch that included an interception. When your quarterback is pulling you aside mid-game, it’s rarely a good sign.
With rookie Emery Jones Jr. coming along behind him, Faalele’s grip on the starting job may be slipping. The Ravens need more stability up front, and Faalele hasn’t delivered it.
Loser: Zach Orr - Defensive Identity Crisis
Defensive coordinator Zach Orr has had some bright moments this season, but Sunday was not one of them. His defense allowed a sputtering Steelers offense to look like a cohesive, balanced unit-and that’s a problem.
The Ravens had built their defensive identity around limiting big plays and clamping down in the red zone. But that identity fell apart in Week 14.
DK Metcalf repeatedly found soft spots in coverage, and Kenneth Gainwell carved out space near the goal line. It wasn’t just one leak-it was a flood.
Even more concerning was how easily Aaron Rodgers picked apart the defense. The Ravens dialed up more cover-zero looks than they had all season, according to Tony Romo, but it didn’t matter. The pressure never got home, and Rodgers had all day to operate.
For a unit that had been trending upward, this was a step back-and a costly one.
Winner: Derrick Henry - The Offense Runs Through Him
Early on, it looked like Derrick Henry might be an afterthought in the game plan. But when the Ravens finally committed to him in the second half, the offense started to click.
Henry finished with 25 carries for 95 yards, and while he didn’t break a long one, he wore down the Steelers’ front with his physicality. His punishing style opened up play-action opportunities and helped the Ravens mount a late push.
If there’s one silver lining from this loss, it’s that Henry proved once again that he needs to be the focal point-especially as the weather turns colder and the games get more physical. Baltimore’s best chance to control games down the stretch is to ride No. 22.
Winner: Lamar Jackson - Showing Signs of Life
Lamar Jackson didn’t play a perfect game, but for the first time in weeks, he looked like himself again. Coming off extra rest, Jackson moved with more confidence and fluidity than he has since tweaking his hamstring.
He completed 19 of 35 passes for 219 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, while adding 43 yards and a rushing score on the ground. The numbers don’t jump off the page, but the eye test says he’s getting closer to full strength.
His mobility returned in spurts, and that dual-threat dynamic helped the Ravens find rhythm in the second half. Yes, there were still missed throws and questionable decisions, but this was a step in the right direction for a quarterback who’s been grinding through injury.
Loser: The Pass Rush - Missing in Action
If you were waiting for the Ravens’ pass rush to show up, you’re still waiting.
Baltimore didn’t register a single sack on Aaron Rodgers, and frankly, they rarely even made him uncomfortable. That’s a major red flag for a team with playoff aspirations.
The Ravens tried to get creative with personnel and blitz packages-including an uptick in cover-zero looks-but nothing worked. Rodgers had clean pockets all afternoon and picked apart the defense with surgical precision.
Without a disruptive front, even the best secondaries will eventually break down. If the Ravens can’t generate pressure moving forward, they’ll have a hard time containing the high-powered offenses they’re likely to face in December and beyond.
Loser: Ravens’ Playoff Hopes - Hanging by a Thread
This wasn’t just a divisional loss-it was a playoff gut punch. Had the Ravens pulled out the win, their postseason odds would’ve jumped to 76%. Instead, they dropped to 31%, and now they’re chasing Pittsburgh with just a few games to go.
The good news? The Bengals lost to the Bills, which gives Baltimore a little breathing room in the wild-card race. But make no mistake: the Ravens are on thin ice.
The season isn’t over, but the margin for error is gone. Every game from here on out is essentially a playoff game, and the Week 18 rematch with the Steelers could decide everything-from a division title to a postseason berth.
Bottom Line
The Ravens had a chance to take control of their playoff destiny-and they let it slip away. There were flashes of hope, especially from Henry and Jackson, but the lack of pass rush, defensive breakdowns, and offensive line struggles proved too much to overcome.
Baltimore still has a path to the postseason, but it’s a narrow one. If they want to walk it, they’ll need to clean up the mistakes, lean on their stars, and find their identity fast-because time is running out.