Lamar Jackson hasn’t been running as much this season, but when he picked his spot late in the first half against the Steelers, it was vintage Lamar - decisive, explosive, and exactly what the Ravens needed.
With just 16 seconds left before halftime, Jackson took off on a six-yard touchdown run that trimmed Pittsburgh’s lead to 17-9. It was a much-needed spark for a Ravens offense that had been looking for rhythm. Unfortunately for Baltimore, Tyler Loop missed the extra point, keeping the deficit at eight as they headed into the locker room.
That touchdown marked just Jackson’s second rushing score of the season - a surprisingly low number for one of the most dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks in the league. On the day, he’s carried the ball three times for 19 yards. Through the air, Jackson has struggled to find consistency, completing 7-of-13 passes for 69 yards with one interception.
That pick proved costly. Steelers cornerback James Pierre jumped a route and flipped the momentum, setting up a Kenneth Gainwell touchdown run that extended Pittsburgh’s early lead. The Steelers had already gotten on the board with a surprising contribution from Aaron Rodgers - yes, that Aaron Rodgers - who ran in a touchdown of his own, his first rushing score since January 2023.
Rodgers has looked sharp overall, completing 13-of-20 passes for 148 yards. He set the tone early with a deep strike to DK Metcalf for a 52-yard gain, and the chemistry between the two has been evident. Metcalf has hauled in four catches for 92 yards, consistently getting behind the Ravens’ secondary and giving Baltimore’s defense all kinds of problems.
However, not everything has gone smoothly for Pittsburgh. The Steelers have lost tight end Darnell Washington and linebacker Malik Harrison to concussions, both of whom were ruled out for the remainder of the game. That’s a significant blow, especially on the defensive side where Harrison’s presence in the middle has been key.
As the second half kicks off, the Ravens will look to build on the momentum from Jackson’s late score. But they’ll need more than just flashes - they’ll need sustained execution on both sides of the ball to claw their way back into this one.