Ravens-Steelers matchups to watch in 2025 NFL Playoffs

Baltimore being without Zay Flowers would be a game-changer, but the Ravens still have options.

Matchup to watch: The Ravens’ offense minus Zay Flowers vs the Steelers’ defense

This one is sort of a weird one, but it’s the biggest aspect of this game. Ravens’ Pro Bowl WR Zay Flowers injured his knee in the Browns game last week, and head coach John Harbaugh said the receiver is “day-to-day”. In the hypothetical where Flowers can’t play, this is a massive blow for that offense. It’s actually funny watching the Ravens play, because they’re doing very similar stuff to the 49ers and Lions, but with the best QB in the entire league at the helm. How Flowers fits into that is simple: he is Baltimore’s juice, their explosive play guy. He also serves as another way to generate Yards After the Catch. He’s 12th in the NFL in screen routes run, and his 0.17 EPA per target is 10th among all receivers with at least 10 screen route targets.

Baltimore loves using him as an instant offense plug, while creating voids in the defense for Flowers to run into and dominate after the catch. In their last matchup against the Steelers, he provided a few big plays against man coverage, creating separation over the middle of the field to move the chains.

The Rashod Bateman breakout has been really fun to watch this season, but against a Steelers team that is unafraid of testing receivers, Flowers’ explosiveness is going to play a huge role. If Flowers isn’t 100%, expect a lot of Mark Andrews targets, especially against a Steeler pass defense that has some weakness at linebacker. However, if Flowers is healthy, the Ravens’ offense should still be it’s normal, buzzsaw self.

The Steelers’ defense itself is a fun watch, but I think there’s a lot of areas to attack this team. They play the eighth-most snaps of Cover 1 in the entire league, and they’re just about above average in EPA per play allowed while in Cover 1. However, offenses have been able to attack this secondary and linebacker group up the spine of the defense. They allow the 12-highest EPA per play over the middle of the field, and I think a large majority of that is on the linebacker play. LB Patrick Queen came over from Baltimore this offseason, but has been a little hit or miss when it comes to pass coverage. Baltimore was able to use motion and the Pittsburgh second level’s eyes against them to a win in December, so expect more of the same on Saturday.

Individual battle to watch: Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth vs. Ravens’ S Kyle Hamilton