The Pittsburgh Steelers may be entering a new era without Mike Tomlin, but one thing hasn't changed in the Steel City. Defense still defines the franchise's identity.
Even after several offseason changes, the Steelers enter 2026 with one of the AFC North's most talented defensive rosters. Baltimore knows that firsthand. Pittsburgh swept the season series a year ago, and slowing the Ravens' offense played a significant role in securing the division crown.
The personnel has changed in several places, but the Ravens should expect another physical, aggressive defense when these rivals renew one of the NFL's longest-running feuds. Here are a handful of the biggest defensive stories affecting Pittsburgh's roster.
The Steelers can still overwhelm quarterbacks
Any discussion about Pittsburgh's defense
begins with its ability to rush the passer. The Steelers finished among the NFL's top 10 with 48 sacks in 2025. Much of that production came from the trio of T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig. Together, they combined for 24 sacks, 135 tackles, three interceptions, four forced fumbles and 38 tackles for loss, consistently disrupting opposing offenses.
Containing that trio will be one of Baltimore's biggest priorities. Fortunately for the Ravens, Lamar Jackson's mobility and one of the league's most effective check-down games can help neutralize an aggressive pass rush by forcing defenders to hesitate before attacking upfield.
Joey Porter Jr. continues to emerge as a shutdown corner
Pittsburgh has another cornerstone in its secondary. Joey Porter Jr. allowed opposing quarterbacks to post just a 61.5 passer rating when targeting his coverage last season, continuing his rise as one of the AFC's better young cornerbacks.
His ability to eliminate one side of the field gives Pittsburgh added flexibility when designing pressure packages. That matchup could influence how Baltimore structures its passing attack, particularly if Porter is asked to shadow one of the Ravens' top receiving threats.
The secondary will look much different
While Porter returns, plenty has changed around him. Jalen Ramsey arrives in Pittsburgh looking to rebound after a difficult season in which opposing quarterbacks posted a combined 127.7 passer rating and threw eight touchdowns when targeting him.
The Steelers also strengthened the secondary by adding cornerback Jamel Dean and safety Jaquan Brisker, while veterans Chuck Clark and Kyle Dugger moved on. The new faces undoubtedly increase Pittsburgh's talent, but building chemistry in the secondary often takes time. Baltimore should look to test that communication early with motion, play-action and layered route concepts.
Baltimore should challenge Pittsburgh's run defense
The Ravens have every reason to believe they can establish the ground game. Pittsburgh surrendered 4.3 yards per carry and 113.1 rushing yards per game in 2025, numbers that suggest opponents found success running the football despite the Steelers' talented front seven.
That's welcome news for a Baltimore offense built around Lamar Jackson's dynamic rushing ability and Derrick Henry's physical running style. Sustaining success on the ground would also help slow Pittsburgh's pass rush by creating favorable down-and-distance situations.
The Steelers still have defensive questions to answer
Despite their reputation, Pittsburgh wasn't dominant across the board. The Steelers finished in the NFL's bottom quarter in both total yards allowed and opponent third-down conversion percentage, allowing offenses to sustain drives more consistently than the organization would prefer.
Those shortcomings often offset the impact of an otherwise productive pass rush. If Baltimore stays ahead of the chains and avoids obvious passing situations, the Ravens should have opportunities to exploit those weaknesses while keeping Watt, Highsmith and the rest of Pittsburgh's pressure packages from taking over the game.
The Steelers still possess enough defensive talent to challenge any offense in the league, especially when their pass rush is dictating the action. At the same time, last season's numbers reveal a unit that can be moved methodically by disciplined offenses. If Baltimore controls the line of scrimmage, commits to its rushing attack and protects the football, the Ravens will give themselves an excellent chance to reclaim the upper hand in the AFC North's fiercest rivalry.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Steelers' defense has strengths and flaws that the Ravens can attack
