As Baltimore Ravens gear up for a pivotal Week 14 clash with their AFC North rival Pittsburgh Steelers, several Ravens stand out as potential game-turners. With division implications on the line, here are four “X-Factors” — players whose performance could tip the balance in Baltimore’s favor.
1. Derrick Henry — pounding the run game against a weakened Steelers front
- Henry enters the game with 931 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on the season, per official Ravens stats.
- Pittsburgh’s defense, already reeling from injuries (notably the absence of defensive tackle Derrick Harmon), has struggled against the run — allowing over 180 rushing yards per game in his absence.
- For a Ravens offense traditionally built around physicality, Henry’s ability to grind out tough yards and chew up clock could tilt time-of-possession and wear down the Steelers’ front seven.
2. Lamar Jackson — rebound potential and dual-threat upside
- Jackson has officially returned to full practice and is slated to start Week 14 after dealing with ankle/hamstring issues.
- While his passing efficiency has dipped recently — including a three-game stretch without a TD pass — Jackson’s dual-threat skill set (pass + scramble) still represents the ceiling for the Ravens’ offense.
- If he can rediscover even part of his 2024 form, Jackson opens up possibilities: play-action passes, designed runs, and the unpredictability that complicates Pittsburgh’s defensive planning.
3. Zay Flowers & Mark Andrews — weapons in the passing game when it matters
- Flowers leads Baltimore’s receiving corps with 767 yards on 60 catches in 2025.
- Andrews remains a reliable red-zone and third-down target — a proven playmaker when Jackson spots him in tight windows.
- Given Pittsburgh’s defensive vulnerabilities — especially in the back end — a timely connection to either Flowers or Andrews could swing drives into scoring opportunities and prevent long Broncos-style ground games from dominating the clock.
4. Ravens’ health + defense rebounds — opportunity to pressure and contain
- The Ravens have reportedly activated a full 53-man roster for this game. Aside from non-active Tavius Robinson and Ar’Darius Washington, all key contributors — including Jackson — are available.
- This contrasts sharply with Pittsburgh’s ill-timed injuries, particularly on the defensive line and among safeties.
- A healthier defense enables Baltimore to press the issue — mixing coverages, applying pass rush, and forcing Pittsburgh’s offense into uncomfortable passing situations. If successful, this could limit big plays and set up Ravens’ offense with favorable field position or turnovers.
What This All Means — Why These X-Factors Matter
This week’s showdown isn’t just another divisional game. With both teams sitting at 6–6 and the AFC North perched on a knife-edge, small advantages will count for a lot.
- A dominant ground game from Derrick Henry could control tempo, chew up clock, and keep Pittsburgh’s offense off the field.
- If Lamar Jackson plays well, the Ravens regain flexibility — threats on the ground + pass danger — making them unpredictable and harder to scheme against.
- Reliable production from Zay Flowers or Mark Andrews can lift the offense when the run isn’t enough, especially in red-zone and third-down situations.
- A healthy, aggressive Ravens defense could neutralize the Steelers’ strengths and create turnovers or three-and-outs — momentum swings that matter even more in a rivalry game.
Given Pittsburgh’s defensive fragility and Baltimore’s renewed health, this feels like a game tailor-made for Ravens to leverage their strengths and grab control of the AFC North. If those X-factors click, Baltimore could head into the playoff stretch with serious momentum.
