"Pittsburgh is playing with house money": Ex-Chiefs QB sounds alarm for Lamar Jackson's Ravens ahead of playoff game vs Steelers

Former NFL quarterback Alex Smith points to mounting pressure on the Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson as they host the Pittsburgh Steelers in Saturday's wild-card playoff matchup. The Ravens' collection of Pro Bowlers and likely MVP winner heighten expectations for playoff success.

Smith, who played QB for the Chiefs, 49ers and Commanders during his 16-year NFL career, has brought his football expertise to ESPN's NFL coverage.

On Saturday, Smith delivered his analysis during NFL on ESPN's playoff preview show, ahead of the Prime Video broadcast.

"I think all the pressures on Baltimore again, listen, they lead the league in Pro Bowlers again," Smith said. "They're most likely going to have the MVP again, right? They're playing at home. There are no more excuses. I think all the pressures on Baltimore to get this done. I think Pittsburgh is playing with house money if you want me to be honest."

The Ravens enter as 9.5-point favorites, the largest spread in series history. Their offense has dominated opponents since the Dec. 1 loss to Philadelphia, averaging 33 points during their four-game winning streak. However, they'll miss top receiver Zay Flowers, who suffered a knee injury last week.

Mike Tomlin reinforces defense against Lamar Jackson

NFL: Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens - Source: Imagn

Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin sees the strategic value in this familiar matchup. His team's recent success in Baltimore — winning six of their last eight visits to M&T Bank Stadium — adds intrigue to their underdog status.

"Going to Baltimore, particularly in playoff football, is something to be respected, and I expect it to be a hostile environment," Tomlin said on Jan. 11, via Forbes. "I welcome that. To be quite honest with you, it's important that we smile in the face of that as a collective. It's just simply a tax to pay for not winning the division, and we pay that."

The Steelers limp into the playoffs having lost four straight, including a 34-17 defeat in Baltimore on Dec. 21. Their offense has particularly struggled, dropping from 28 points per game in Russell Wilson's first seven starts to just 14 points in his last four. Tomlin has indicated backup Justin Fields could see playing time.

This matchup carries extra weight for a Steelers team seeking to break multiple streaks. They haven't won a playoff game since 2016, losing their last five postseason appearances. More concerning: they've fallen into early holes in each loss as they have been outscored 105-38 in first halves.

The Ravens boast MVP favorite Lamar Jackson, who threw three touchdowns in their December win over Pittsburgh. However, the Steelers defense gets reinforcements — cornerback Dante Jackson returns from a pinched nerve that sidelined him in that game. Joey Porter Jr. is also back from his absence.

This latest chapter in one of the NFL's fiercest rivalries pits Baltimore's championship aspirations against Pittsburgh's chance to reclaim its prowess. The primetime Saturday showdown will reveal whether the Ravens can handle the pressure or if the Steelers can flip their "house money" into an upset victory.