OTL: Be Yourselves & Go Out on Your Shield!

Happy New Year, Flock. We have some exciting news as we look forward to the winner-take-all matchup on Sunday Night in Pittsburgh. Plus, we also have two big New Year’s resolutions for the Ravens.

The big news is that QB1 is back:

Lamar Jackson said he will be playing Sunday in Pittsburgh. pic.twitter.com/rbtvRrgFMN

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) January 1, 2026

Lamar Jackson made it official yesterday that he would be playing in Sunday Night’s game. It’s obviously a boost, but I am feeling better about how efficient Lamar will be after his comments to the media. He seems refreshed and ready to go, as evidenced by his practice all week so far.

If the Ravens are going to win this game and somehow go on this miracle run, we need Lamar at his best, not a hobbled version the former MVP. We might be getting that version of him this week.

Now, for the Ravens’ New Year’s resolutions, one for the defense and one for the offense.

For the offense, I need them to remember who they are as a unit and how they won in the playoffs against this team last year.

Let’s do this again on Sunday.

TRENCH DOMINATION How Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson Ran All Over the Pittsburgh Steelershttps://t.co/8TybstLp2l

— Cole Jackson (@ColeJacksonFB) December 31, 2025

The way the Ravens that playoff game against the Steelers (as well as last week in Green Bay) was straightforward: they ran the ball with Derrick Henry. Let’s face it, we are at our best when we run the ball efficiently. This is what makes the Ravens offense go, not the passing game. The passing game should complement the running game. We need physicality to run the ball. It’s no secret that the Packers have a poor defensive line, and that certainly contributed to what we saw at Lambeau. While I don’t expect four rushing touchdowns from Henry this week, as the Steelers have a better D-Line and will be ready for the run, that shouldn’t matter. They need to stick with a run-heavy approach to win this game. Be the bullies!

As for the defense, I need them to stop with all these soft zone coverages, and just play man coverage and live with the results:

In Week 14, the Ravens played man coverage on 35.3% of plays, their 4th-highest rate of the season.

In those situations, Rodgers was 7-of-12 for 163 yds (season-high vs. man) and a TD for an EPA/Att of 0.58 and a passer rating of 130.6.

DK Metcalf had 2 rec and 80 yds vs. man.

— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) January 1, 2026

The Steelers tormented this defense in man coverage last time, as the numbers show above. However, without DK Metcalf this week, their weapons are awful Zach Orr should not shy away from man. We all saw the Packers pick the soft zone coverages apart like nothing, and it was straight-up embarrassing. You have a secondary that is better suited for man – play to their strengths.

If the Ravens are going to go out, then go out being the team that the Baltimore Ravens are: a strong running team with a defense that looks to lock guys up 1-on-1. This is the team’s identity, and if that causes a loss, so be it, because at least you went out being who you are as a team instead of trying to be something you aren’t.

The post OTL: Be Yourselves & Go Out on Your Shield! appeared first on Russell Street Report.