The Ravens (9-5) will face the Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4) at 4:30 p.m. Saturday in Baltimore. Here are game predictions from The Baltimore Banner’s sports staff.

A Baltimore must-win in many ways

Kyle Goon, columnist: Even though the Ravens’ last effort in Pittsburgh felt uncharacteristic, given that the offense was humming going in, it wasn’t altogether surprising. Against the Steelers, the Ravens seem prone to struggle no matter how good they are, which is one reason offensive coordinator Todd Monken was running around the practice field testing ball security this week. It’s time for Baltimore to exorcize the curse, which has reached mind-numbing levels of frustration against their greatest franchise rival.

The feeling around the Ravens’ locker room is a little looser than in Steelers weeks past, but that’s not enough. I expect Lamar Jackson, within friendly confines, to play more like an MVP than his season-worst effort in Pittsburgh last month. I expect the defense to pounce on Russell Wilson, who will be without his top weapon in George Pickens. I expect Derrick Henry not to fumble and to make life tough for a front that includes a dinged-up T.J. Watt. If it doesn’t happen this week, when will it start turning around?

Ravens 27, Steelers 20

The tide’s gotta turn

Giana Han, reporter: Lamar Jackson has to beat the Steelers again at some point, doesn’t he? It’s inexplicable. The two-time MVP, who has been making a case for a third trophy, just can’t beat this team, and it’s often because he doesn’t play like himself. But if he does, well, the sky’s the limit. And at some point you would think Jackson’s determination will win out over whatever spell the Steelers have cast on him. Considering the importance of this game (if the Steelers win, the Ravens have no shot at winning the division), combined with his desire to win a Super Bowl, this could be the game.

Jackson can do a lot, but he can’t make up for injuries. And the Ravens’ injury list concerns me. If both Rashod Bateman and Nelson Agholor can’t go in a week when Diontae Johnson is suspended, this prediction might be on shaky ground. But, once again, I will put my faith in Jackson.

Ravens 24, Steelers 20

They’re favorites for a reason

Jonas Shaffer, reporter: With Steelers wide receiver George Pickens sidelined by a hamstring injury, who’s going to create big plays for Pittsburgh’s offense? Who’s going to give the defense a chance to catch its breath on the sideline? The Steelers can withstand only so many three-and-outs before finally giving way to Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry and an explosive attack.

The Ravens are 6.5-point favorites for a reason. They have home-field advantage. They have a health advantage. They have a quarterbacking advantage. If that’s not enough to get it done Saturday against a talented, if flawed, Pittsburgh team, it’ll be hard to imagine the Ravens finally breaking through in the playoffs.

Ravens 23, Steelers 10

Best team wins

Paul Mancano, “Banner Ravens Podcast” co-host: Twelve penalties, three turnovers and two missed kicks. It took all that for the Steelers to beat the Ravens in Week 11, and they still only escaped with a two-point win. If Justice Hill comes down with a fourth-quarter catch or Justin Tucker just makes his 47-yarder, perhaps John Harbaugh would be the one cooking in Mike Tomlin’s kitchen and not the other way around. But Pittsburgh has a knack for pulling out these nail-biters against divisional foes.

The Ravens have the better roster and higher ceiling, but their mistakes make them frustratingly inconsistent. At some point, talent must win out.

Ravens 24, Steelers 23

The Ravens can’t — and won’t — lose focus on their ultimate goal

Brandon Weigel, editor: Thinking about the 2024 Steelers reminds me of that one GIF pulled from “Breaking Bad”: “He can’t keep getting away with it!” “He,” here, being Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin. In the first three weeks of the season, with Justin Fields under center, the offense had only three touchdowns but the Steelers won all three games. Their luck continued once Russell Wilson took over. Analyst Kevin Cole’s advanced metric adjusted score — which places greater emphasis on “stable metrics” such as success rate while downplaying “higher variance events” such as turnovers and penalties — suggests the Steelers’ wins against the Ravens, Commanders and Jets “should” have been losses.

None of that matters now as the Ravens look to get back in the race for the AFC North. Baltimore had a nice tune-up game against the New York Giants, but there were too many head-scratching penalties, part of a troubling seasonlong trend. Those miscues, coming off the bye, made a beatdown of an inferior opponent somehow feel underwhelming. The Ravens know a lot more is on the line Saturday, and they will back it up with more focus and poise against their bitter rival.

Ravens 24, Steelers 17