A Steelers Win Over The Ravens In Week 11 Will Secure Belief As True Contender: "Russell-Mania Runs Wild"

The Pittsburgh Steelers are currently half a game atop the AFC North at 7-2 and face the 7-3 Baltimore Ravens in Week 11. The Steelers-Ravens rivalry is one of the fiercest in all of sports. The two cities have much in common, including their demographics. The teams have also always been similar, teams that favor smashmouth football at its finest. Players are always pumped for this game and know they will feel the physical impact on Monday morning. But these aren't the 2023 Ravens or Steelers, and those differences have many people debating how this game will shake out. 

The Ravens' Lamar Jackson has steadily improved since they drafted him in the first round of 2018. The Steelers have been struggling to find a replacement for future Hall of Famer Ben Roethlisberger. Despite two seasons of the failed Kenny Pickett experiment, they are more optimistic than ever. The signing of Russell Wilson is finally paying off, as he is 3-0 since returning from his calf injury in the 2024 offseason. However, this will be Wilson and the Steelers' biggest test.  

While Vegas might favor the Ravens in this game (most recently by three points), most folks over at NFL Network's Good Morning Football like the Steelers in this one. Peter Schrager said this game has been played 60 different times, but never has one mattered more, calling it a must-win for Pittsburgh. According to former NFL linebacker Manti Te'o, the Steelers have the more complete team. He believes that their special teams unit will make all the difference. Kyle Brandt of the Angry Run Awards said he remains impressed by what Pittsburgh has done.    

"If the Steelers win this thing, Russell-mania runs wild," marveled Brandt. "I'm blown away again by the last month of the season; the biggest story is Mike Tomlin's decision to start Russell Wilson, he hasn't lost since and has looked incredible. Lamar's the MVP, I'm looking at Russ in this game, I mean it."

On one side, Jackson is making a case for his third MVP Award; on the other, Wilson is showing the Denver Broncos, and everyone else, that he's still got it. The former Super Bowl winner has been outstanding in the three games he's played in black and gold. The Steelers have the most expensive defense in the NFL, but the Ravens now have running back Derrick Henry, who is looking to make his mark on this historic rivalry. The Ravens' usually stout defense is soft in the secondary, and Wilson is hoping to get some of his famous moon balls to George Pickens.

Will Steelers' Patrick Queen Be A Major Factor?

The Steelers made their biggest free agency signing in team history when they acquired linebacker Patrick Queen from the Ravens during the 2024 offseason. The moment both sides have waited for is finally here, his first game against his former team. 

Queen has been quite open about feeling that the Ravens didn't want him and chose to pay Roquan Smith instead of him. However, that hasn't stopped his former Ravens teammates from chirping about how he is a "traitor." Ever since Queen came over to the good guys, they have fired shots back and forth about which team is better, which city is better, and even who has the better food. 

Now that the Ravens have "The King" in Henry and the Steelers have the Queen, the two are set to face off in a very physical chess match. Some think the highly paid Steelers defense will struggle to stop the multi-layered Ravens offense. The biggest concern used to be Jackson's legs, but now they also have to worry about his improved passing abilities. Some analysts believe that Queen will be the key to shutting Jackson down. 

Queen has improved dramatically over the past several weeks as he finds his way in this new defense. It showed during the Week 10 win over Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders. That improvement from him couldn't have come at a better time.  

What do you think a win against the Ravens means for the Steelers and Wilson? Click to comment below.

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