The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens renew their fierce rivalry this week. A few weeks ago, most Pittsburgh fans were resolved to the idea that head coach Mike Tomlin was going to suffer his first losing season as the Steelers head coach. Now in his 16th season as the Steelers head coach, Tomlin owns the record for winning seasons without losing one to start a coaching career.

While this may be the year Pittsburgh suffers their first losing campaign under his direction, they have made it a lot more interesting in recent weeks. The Steelers only won two of their first seven games prior to their open date five weeks ago, and have now won three of four games since their bye week. Over the past four weeks, the Steelers have beaten the New Orleans Saints, Indianapolis Colts and Atlanta Falcons with only a setback to the Cincinnati Bengals three weeks ago interrupting their winning run.

Their recent success lifts their season mark to five wins and seven losses, and the possibility of Tomlin and his crew escaping 2022 without a losing record has ever increasing potential.

For that to happen, and for Pittsburgh to keep their flickering postseason hopes alive, they need to win on Sunday when they host the AFC North Division leaders. Baltimore comes to town without their most potent offensive weapon, quarterback Lamar Jackson.

The Ravens one-time NFL Most Valuable Player recipient suffered an injury during last week’s win over the Denver Broncos and is certain to miss at least the next two weeks and maybe more.

Good news for the Steelers?

Of course, when you don’t have to face the Ravens most prolific offensive force it has to be a benefit … but the edge physically could well be lost based on a motivated Ravens squad playing their best in Jackson’s absence. There is good reason to expect veteran backup, Tyler Huntley, will benefit from an inspired effort while he fills in for their injured star.

The Steelers have had their way with the Ravens in recent seasons. They have swept their two game regular season series in 2020 and 2021 and carry a four game winning streak over their division rivals into this showdown.

What that leaves us with is a Ravens squad both motivated to compensate for the loss of Jackson and to avenge their recent setbacks to Pittsburgh. What we will now get to see in this game is how many ways an NFL game can be decided. The Ravens have risen to the top of the AFC North Division with the Bengals based on a solid defense and overall team strength. The Steelers dropped to the bottom of the standings, three games behind Baltimore, because they are in a rebuilding period and have lots of areas to shore up before we can be confident of Tomlin notching another winning season.

The Ravens come in on a four game losing streak to their opponent and without their quarterback.

Sounds dire.

Which is exactly the factors that are likely to push Baltimore to their best effort of the season, and the Steelers to absorb their first loss to John Harbaugh in three years.

Qoxhi Picks: Baltimore Ravens (+2) over Pittsburgh Steelers