**Steelers Outmuscle Ravens in a Crucial AFC North Showdown**

In a game laden with high stakes and multiple turning points, the Pittsburgh Steelers once again outlasted their league rivals, the Baltimore Ravens, with a 9-7 victory that highlighted familiar troubles for the Ravens.

Lamar Jackson, known for his agility and playmaking abilities, found himself constrained and frustrated by a relentless Steelers defense. Jackson's failed 2-point attempt, a last-ditch effort in a game filled with miscues, summed up a difficult afternoon. The Ravens failed to create the smooth and rhythmic game they needed, falling back into the chaos that has characterized their encounters with Pittsburgh in recent years.

The Steelers capitalized on the Ravens' mistakes, managing to win despite not scoring a touchdown and posting lower efficiency stats. Pittsburgh's defense tightened their grip on the Ravens' offense, leading to crucial turnovers and pivotal penalties, including a major takeaway by rookie linebacker Payton Wilson. This resilience allowed the Steelers to secure another one-score victory even though they trailed in yardage and red-zone efficiency.

Jackson’s personal struggles against the Steelers continued; his passer rating dropped to 66.1 from the stratospheric 123.2 he brought into this game. Pittsburgh's defense consistently neutralized Jackson, exhibiting impeccable discipline and strong tackling. Pittsburgh’s pass rush, led by Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt, contained Jackson effectively. Favored targets Zay Flowers and Mark Andrews could only muster 61 yards combined on four catches.

The Ravens’ defense showed signs of improvement. After a tough showing against the Cincinnati Bengals, defensive coordinator Zach Orr made significant changes, such as starting Ar'Darius Washington and giving cornerback Tre'Davious White more snaps. These adjustments yielded immediate results, including several critical stops and solid performances from key players like Roquan Smith and Marlon Humphrey. Despite these defensive bright spots, the Ravens couldn’t convert them into offensive success.

The Ravens are now 7-4, putting them at a disadvantage in the AFC North against the Steelers’ 8-2 record. Upcoming matches against the Los Angeles Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles pose significant challenges. The Ravens face a critical moment as they aim to keep their division title hopes alive.

Special teams also presented deepening concerns for Baltimore, with kicker Justin Tucker missing two field goals. This season has been uncharacteristically shaky for Tucker, whose success rate has dropped to .727. Despite reassurances from coach John Harbaugh and special teams coordinator Chris Horton about Tucker's form in practice, the missed opportunities in games have been costly.

This ongoing struggle encapsulates Baltimore’s season so far: a mix of high expectations and critical errors, leaving little margin for error as they move into the season's crucial phase.