The Pittsburgh Steelers longtime division nemesis, the Baltimore Ravens, currently sit at 4-5 and are weathering a multi-week stretch without franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson, prompting many analysts to write them off. However, looking past a struggling Ravens squad too early is a dangerous mistake that could come back to haunt the rest of the AFC North.
Despite enduring a four-game skid, Baltimore's losses came against formidable opponents. That included the Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills, and Jacksonville Jaguars, all of whom currently sit comfortably in or near the playoff picture.
Furthermore, the Ravens have a prime opportunity to stabilize their season during an upcoming soft stretch on their schedule. As reporter
and host Christopher Carter pointed out on his “Locked on Steelers” podcast, a favorable run of games could quickly alter the landscape.
"They play the Chargers, who they can't seem to stop tripping over their own problems. Yeah, a Panthers team that, you know, doesn't seem too good, a Texans team where that could be interesting, then they get a bye, then they play the Buccaneers. If they can fix themselves, win four straight, then all of a sudden that game in Pittsburgh on December 20th could be another crucial game," Carter noted.
By the time the calendar turns to late December, a potential 8-5 or 7-6 Ravens team could be right back in the thick of the divisional race, especially if Jackson returns from his six-to-nine-week recovery timeline.
While newly traded for backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett offers a different stylistic challenge than Jackson, pairing a healthy Jackson with Derrick Henry later in the year introduces a completely different dynamic for opposing defenses.
While the Pittsburgh Steelers currently hold the tiebreaker and sit atop the division alongside Cincinnati, they cannot afford complacency. The AFC North race is far from settled, and Baltimore remains a sleeping giant that the Steelers still need to face twice.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Why the Steelers counting out the Ravens is a dangerous mistake
