Steelers Week Ain’t What it Used to Be!

Through 12 games, the AFC North lacks a single team with a winning record. That will change at around 4PM on Sunday when a pair of (6-6) teams square off in Baltimore, one of which will advance to (7-6). Will it be the Ravens or the Steelers?  The Ravens were initially installed as a 6 ½ point favorite, but the line has fallen to 5 ½. Full disclosure? I grabbed the points at 6 1/2 and then immediately took a shower.

The truth be told, this rivalry has been in decay for quite a while. The league has legislated out of existence the violence and physicality that once characterized games played between these AFC North foes. It was once touted as the best rivalry in all of sports. Not anymore. These days, the Ravens are forced to implement unprecedented marketing efforts to sell this game out.

Neither of these team are what they used to be. Both had clearly defined and established identities. Today, they look like two teams in search of an identity. Both fan bases have grown restless but the restlessness of the Yinzers is clearly more extreme than that of the Charm City faithful.

Fire Tomlin chants loud and clear at Steelers game. The city has finally had enough pic.twitter.com/GNkLkUDLJt

— Simon Ince (@SirSimon43) December 1, 2025

Very loud boos as Renegade begins pic.twitter.com/vgjoj94c05

— Austin Bechtold (@AustinRBechtold) November 30, 2025

[Related Article: Ravens Stock Report]

I get the Steelers fans booing “Renegade”. When frustration is bubbling to a boil, fans just want to stew in thought. They try to mentally sift their way through the negativity and the last thing you want to hear when locked in that uncomfortable stream of consciousness is to hear pump up music. In the end it has the opposite effect. STFU!

I’ve experienced the same at The Bank. The Ravens are out their taking a big old dump on the field during a game they should win but are losing decidedly, yet the person in charge of the music cues up Enter Sandman. For the love of God, read the friggin’ room.

But back to Tomlin. If the Steelers pull off the upset win, Steelers fans will flip like Simone Biles after a 4-pack of Red Bull. And then the next fanbase delivering wildly audible chants to can the head coach will be right here in Baltimore.

Lamar’s Struggles

During his past 3 starts, Lamar Jackson has completed 44 of 80 passes (55%) for 592 yards, 0 TDs and 3 INTs for a passer rating of 63.1. He’s also fumbled 3 times. To put that in perspective, Shedeur Sanders passer rating is 69.4 over his past 3 games.

Now we can all point to the Ravens offensive line woes but behind that same offensive line during Lamar’s other 6 starts, he posted 103 completions on 147 attempts (70.1%), 1,249 yards, 15 TDs and 1 INT for a passer rating of 127.1. Something is off. Something is wrong and when questioned about it, Harbaugh refuses to cast blame Lamar’s way. His accuracy issues as of late are dismissed. Per Harbaugh:

“Well, that’s just kind of what sports is. I do think you’re going to have an off day sometimes, and that’s not something that you take lightly for sure. I know – listen, Lamar [Jackson] doesn’t take it lightly more than anybody, and no player on this team takes it lightly. We have conscientious guys. So, that’s what you do. You go back to work. You go back to work, and you get in there and you practice and you study it, and you work together to be as precise as you can. It was not a precise offensive performance in any way. There was nothing precise about it. It was imprecise in every way, and we all know that. We’re all not happy with it. We’re very disappointed by it, but you can’t live in it. You have to move on and come out swinging the next time. If you watch the league, you’ll see that that’s very possible.”

It’s also very possible that Lamar just gets a pass from the entire organization because they all know that he has them by the stones. He wanted Odell Beckham. Eric DeCosta overpaid for OBJ and got him. Lamar wanted a stud running back. Enter Derrick Henry. He wanted another receiver. Enter DeAndre Hopkins. Lamar wanted his Louisville friend struggling to find employment, namely Jaire Alexander. The Ravens wasted millions and signed the broken CB.

And now, with Lamar’s $74.5M cap number in 2026 that strangles DeCosta’s flexibility, the Ravens two-time MVP is in total control. The extension, desperately needed to field a competitive roster in 2026, falls squarely on Lamar and his handlers. They are in control for as long as they want to be, and if all they have in mind is Lamar’s best interests, the team is screwed. Oh, and for the record, the Ravens gave Lamar another trump card to play whenever he needs it. They can’t franchise him. That’s part of his current contract.

Might all of this be weighing on Lamar, adding more pressure? It’s possible. He seemed to check out in 2022 when his contract status was constantly a topic of discussion. A bounce back game against the team’s arch rival might silence the noise and calm me down. But like you, I’ll be watching…closely.

But make no mistake about it. Lamar has the Ravens boxed in.

It must be a challenge for Harbaugh to enforce accountability when the team’s star player seemingly gets a free pass.

Loop There it Is!

I was extended the privilege of hosting Meet the Birds last night at Jimmy ‘s Famous Seafood. Last night’s featured guest was Tyler Loop. My appreciation of the Ravens rookie kicker swelled. Loop possesses the poise you might hope that your team’s kicker has. He’s quite grounded and that’s a trait that will help him when a kick goes awry and later in the game, he’s asked to try it again. He has the mental makeup to handle the position. A few highlight points from our discussion:

• Although he grew up outside of Dallas, Loop is and was NOT a Cowboys fan. He was quite adamant about that.
• He chose to go to Arizona because they were the only school to offer him a scholarship.
• Tyler said that he knew he’d be drafted and that it would come down to the Patriots and Ravens.
• His longest field goal in any practice was from 83 yards out. He did add that the conditions were perfect. He was in Utah with its thin air on an 85-degree day with the wind at his back. At The Castle, his longest successful attempt was from 75 yards out.
• Loop said that he hasn’t yet experienced pressure when attempting a kick but that his first connection in Buffalo on opening night seemed a bit surreal.
• Chants of LOOOOOOP at The Bank are a first for him. He didn’t experience that at Arizona or in high school.
• Although he’s worn No. 33 at Arizona and now in Baltimore, the number has no special significance to him.

These Meet the Bird events at Jimmy’s are very well attended and I spoke to a couple of people who have been to several of the events. Next up tonight is Charlie Kolar who is quite a character. Should be a fun Tuesday eve at Jimmy’s.

It’s Steelers Week! Prepare for the best rivalry in football at Jimmy’s!

Hang with Tyler Loop & Charlie Kolar at our “Meet The Birds” events! You’ll enjoy a Q&A, photo opportunity, and autograph! Both events will benefit @toysfortotsofficial – so grab your tickets now! pic.twitter.com/k8G5A5zr2u

— Jimmy’s Famous Seafood (@JimmysSeafood) November 30, 2025

Solemn John

Maybe I’m looking into it too much, perhaps in search of some clue as to why the Ravens have played so poorly during their last three outings. John Harbaugh seemed quite solemn, even somewhat forlorn during his presser yesterday. And this, during a week when the team has a chance to take a major step towards winning the AFC North against its long-time rival. It doesn’t add up. Maybe this season, this team, has worn coach out.

Or is it the other way around?

“I’m proud of @Mandrews_81.” pic.twitter.com/OiVcToqFsc

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 1, 2025

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