Steelers’ Upcoming Game Plan Against Ravens Revealed With Changes Expected

The Pittsburgh Steelers went on the road and beat the Baltimore Ravens in Week 14 by a score of 27-22, in a game that sparked the start of a three-game winning streak for Pittsburgh. However, following an ugly 13-6 loss on the road against the Cleveland Browns in Week 17, the Steelers will need to beat the Ravens in Week 18 in a de facto playoff game at home. The Steelers did receive some good news on Friday on the injury report ahead of Week 18, but will still be without a couple key players in wide receiver DK Metcalf and tight end Darnell Washington.

Metcalf will be serving the final game of a two-game suspension while Washington sustained a fracture in his forearm in Week 17 and has since been placed on Injured Reserve (IR), ultimately ending his 2025 season. 

The Steelers will now have to shift their focus ahead to their second clash against the Ravens and find ways to get others involved offensively if they want to clinch a 2025 playoff berth. On Friday, Steelers beat writer Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette provided his thoughts on what the offensive game plan will look like against Baltimore.

"Even though Lamar [Jackson] isn't the same Lamar we've seen in seasons past, I think you kinda wanna play keep away from him," Fittipaldo said. "So, yes, the running game's gonna have to be better."

Fittipaldo referenced the lack of a running game in Week 14 during his appearance on 93.7 the Fan. The Steelers will have to drastically change that, as the circumstances are different in this matchup. Metcalf went off against Baltimore, catching seven passes for 148 yards in the contest. The Steelers will have to shift their game plan this time around, as they will be without him. 

Running backs Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell will have to be better, as they combined for less than 30 yards rushing. Gainwell rushed the ball four times for just 15 yards while Warren had eight carries for 13 yards.  

Steelers' Focus On Running Game Would Greatly Benefit Their Chances To Win

While Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has not been his normal self, as he has battled injuries throughout the season, Jackson still has the athletic ability to make an impact in the game not only through the air, but also on the ground. If the Steelers can establish the running game with Gainwell and Warren, who have been a great duo in 2025, they can keep the ball out of Jackson's hands by keeping him on the sidelines.

On Friday, Gainwell was named as the Steelers 2025 team MVP in his first season with the team. Gainwell has only rushed for 527 yards and four touchdowns in 2025 with the Steelers, but he has also been a big presence in the passing game. Gainwell has accumulated 65 catches for 422 yards and three touchdowns, making him a dynamic weapon for the Steelers offense. Warren has had a good season on the ground, rushing for 892 yards and six touchdowns in 2025 by himself.

The Ravens had a lot to do with the tandem struggling in Week 14, as their defensive game plan was to take away the rushing attack. That worked well for Baltimore, but the Steelers countered that by finding success through the air against the Ravens. The Steelers will have to look to establish the run early on to negate the absences of Washington and Metcalf in Week 18. 

The Steelers are stuck in a long playoff drought, having not won in the playoffs in almost a decade, which has caused fans to grow extremely frustrated with the organization. Sunday is one of the biggest games in recent memory for the Steelers, as a win over Baltimore would give the Steelers a home playoff game. 

A postseason matchup in the Steel City could end the playoff-win drought, and would go a long way in helping to win the fan base back over and settle some of those recent frustrations.

Would you like to see the Steelers run more in Week 18 with Gainwell and Warren? Let us know in the comments below!

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