In the Ravens’ wild-card victory over the Steelers, Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry are dominant.

When it comes to the NFL playoffs, few things are as exciting as watching two heavyweights face off in a win-or-go-home scenario. The Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers have one of the most storied rivalries in football, and whenever they meet in the postseason, it feels like an inevitable classic. Add to that the inclusion of two of the league’s most dominant players, Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, and the stage is set for an unforgettable showdown. In this wild-card matchup, both Jackson and Henry were nothing short of spectacular, putting on a performance that will be remembered by fans for years to come.

In a game filled with incredible plays, emotional moments, and playoff implications, the Ravens emerged victorious in a hard-fought 31-17 win over their division rivals, the Steelers. While the victory was a team effort, it was the performances of Jackson and Henry that truly stole the spotlight. Jackson’s ability to move the ball through the air and on the ground, paired with Henry’s punishing runs, gave the Ravens the edge they needed to advance. This game would be remembered as one where both players showed exactly why they’re considered among the NFL’s elite.

The Stage Is Set: Ravens vs. Steelers

The Ravens entered the game as the 5th seed in the AFC, looking to make a deep playoff run. After a solid season under Lamar Jackson’s leadership, the team was eager to prove they could contend for a Super Bowl. Meanwhile, the Steelers, as the 4th seed, were coming off a strong regular season, and their defense was one of the best in the NFL. But there was one glaring weakness that the Ravens would seek to exploit: the Steelers’ inability to stop the run.

From the opening kick, it was clear that this game would be a hard-nosed, physical battle. The Steelers, led by their veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, had the experience and the tools to match the Ravens, but they were going to need to find a way to neutralize Jackson and Henry. On the other side, the Ravens knew that they would need to play mistake-free football, use their explosive running game to control the clock, and get key stops on defense to keep the Steelers from mounting a comeback.

Lamar Jackson: The Dual-Threat Quarterback

Lamar Jackson’s ability to impact a game in multiple ways makes him one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the NFL, and he proved that in the wild-card matchup. Jackson finished the game with 238 passing yards and two touchdowns, but his biggest impact came on the ground, as he rushed for 95 yards and added another touchdown. His ability to extend plays with his legs made life incredibly difficult for the Steelers’ defense.

In the first half, Jackson set the tone early with a beautiful 32-yard touchdown pass to tight end Mark Andrews. The throw, which came after Jackson scrambled away from pressure, showcased his ability to make pinpoint throws while on the move. But it was his rushing ability that really put the Steelers on their heels. Jackson opened the second quarter with a 17-yard run that brought the Ravens into scoring position, allowing them to extend their lead with a field goal. His mobility forced the Steelers to play a more cautious defense, allowing the Ravens to open up running lanes for their backs.

Jackson’s biggest run of the game came in the third quarter, when he took off for a 48-yard gain that set up another touchdown. The play, which featured Jackson weaving his way through traffic and outrunning defenders, was a perfect illustration of his unique skill set. He didn’t just outrun the Steelers’ defenders — he made them miss, showcasing his agility and vision. This run not only energized the Ravens but also demoralized the Steelers, who were struggling to contain him.

Despite his success on the ground, Jackson’s passing continued to be a key factor in keeping the Steelers’ defense on edge. He showed his incredible arm strength with a perfect deep ball to Hollywood Brown for 45 yards, which moved the Ravens into Pittsburgh territory. Jackson’s passing accuracy has often been questioned by critics, but in this game, he was on point, hitting his receivers in stride and delivering the ball on time. With Jackson making plays both in the air and on the ground, the Ravens offense was nearly impossible to stop.

Derrick Henry: A Dominant Force in the Backfield

While Lamar Jackson’s dual-threat ability led the charge for the Ravens’ offense, Derrick Henry, the powerhouse running back for the Ravens, played a crucial role in wearing down the Steelers’ defense and controlling the clock. Henry’s ability to break tackles and plow through defenders made him a nightmare for Pittsburgh’s defensive front, and it was clear that the Steelers had no answer for his physicality.

Henry finished the game with 137 rushing yards and two touchdowns, consistently pushing the Ravens into scoring range with his bruising style of running. The Steelers defense, which had been stout against the run throughout the regular season, found itself unable to contain Henry, who was able to find the creases in their defense and power through multiple tacklers. The Ravens’ offensive line, known for its physicality, did a fantastic job of opening holes for Henry, allowing him to gain chunk yardage consistently.

One of Henry’s most memorable runs came in the second quarter when he broke free for a 35-yard touchdown. The play, which saw him power through several Steelers defenders, was a statement run that highlighted Henry’s unmatched strength and speed. Despite being surrounded by tacklers, Henry kept his legs churning and used his size to fight off would-be tacklers, finding his way into the end zone for a game-changing score.

What makes Henry even more dangerous is his ability to wear down a defense over the course of a game. The Steelers, who had been able to limit other running backs throughout the regular season, found themselves struggling as the game wore on. Henry’s relentless running not only accumulated yards but also drained Pittsburgh’s defense, setting the stage for Jackson and Henry to continue exploiting the Steelers’ defense in the second half.

The Ravens’ Ground-and-Pound Attack

While both Jackson and Henry were dominant individually, it was the Ravens’ ability to establish a punishing ground game that ultimately wore down the Steelers and set the tone for the entire game. The Ravens finished with over 200 yards rushing as a team, with both Jackson and Henry playing critical roles in the success of the offense.

The offensive line, which had been inconsistent throughout the regular season, rose to the occasion and provided Jackson and Henry with ample opportunities to break through the Steelers’ defense. The Ravens’ offensive scheme, which revolves around a heavy emphasis on the run, was executed to perfection in this wild-card matchup. By keeping the Steelers’ defense on the field for long stretches and controlling the clock, the Ravens kept Pittsburgh’s high-powered offense off the field for significant periods of time, preventing them from building any momentum.

Steelers’ Struggles to Contain Jackson and Henry

For the Steelers, the game was a tale of missed opportunities and failure to stop the run. Despite a strong defensive unit led by players like T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh was unable to contain the Ravens’ running game. While Watt made several key stops and Fitzpatrick played solid coverage in the secondary, the Steelers’ inability to stop the run ultimately led to their demise.

Pittsburgh’s defense had been one of the best in the NFL during the regular season, but it was clear they had no answer for Jackson’s ability to scramble and extend plays, nor could they stop Henry’s punishing runs. The Steelers’ defense, which had relied heavily on blitzing and creating pressure to disrupt the opposing quarterback, was forced to play a more passive role as the Ravens ran wild on them.

On the offensive side of the ball, Roethlisberger had his moments, but he was unable to consistently find success against the Ravens’ defense. While Chase Claypool and Juju Smith-Schuster made some key catches, the Steelers’ offense lacked the balance it needed to keep up with the Ravens. Their rushing attack, led by James Conner, was stymied by the Ravens’ front seven, and Roethlisberger was often under pressure, unable to establish a rhythm.

The Ravens’ Defense: A Key Component

While Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry were the stars of the game, the Ravens’ defense also stepped up when it mattered most. Marlon Humphrey, Calais Campbell, and Patrick Queen were all instrumental in keeping the Steelers’ offense in check. The Ravens’ defense did a solid job of shutting down the Steelers’ running game and pressuring Roethlisberger when he dropped back to pass. The defense’s ability to get off the field on third downs and limit Pittsburgh’s scoring opportunities allowed Jackson and Henry to control the clock and finish the game with a comfortable lead.