4 reasons the Ravens will defeat the Steelers in Week 5

The Baltimore Ravens started off the 2019 season with a 2-0 record. However, they've lost their last two games and they've fallen to 2-2.

Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers started the year 0-3 and saw their star quarterback (Ben Roethlisberger) go down for the year. However, they won their first game of the year in Week 4 in convincing fashion, moving to 1-3.

With that in mind, the two AFC North teams are on some different current trajectories despite pretty similar records.

Baltimore comes into the game as slight favorites, despite being the away team. So how will they pull off the win?

If the Ravens are to defeat the Steelers in Week 5, here are four reasons why.

4. Mason Rudolph

Filling in for Roethlisberger is Mason Rudolph. The 2018 third-round pick has looked solid overall so far. However, there are some clear issues he needs to work out. It's also not like he's at the level of Roethlisberger just yet.

Baltimore's defense hasn't looked all that fantastic. However, this unit isn't much different from the elite squad from last season.

With that in mind, you have to look at the opponents. The Cleveland Browns offense entered the year with much fanfare and was expected to be one of the best and most electric in football.

Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs claim that top spot as the best and most electric offense in football.

Those are the two games that really hurt the Baltimore defense. You can forgive the Ravens for not shutting them down.

However, against the Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals they looked fantastic. Expect them to bully the inexperienced Rudolph and take advantage of a beat-up offense.

3. Injuries

Speaking of a beat-up offense, the Steelers offense is going through some stuff right now.

Obviously, Roethlisberger is out. Now star running back James Conner and star wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster both didn't practice on Wednesday.

If those two are even limited, things will get very difficult for Rudolph.

Meanwhile, Cam Heyward missed practice for the defense. The defensive tackle is one of the best in football and would be a major blow to the team if he was out.

Obviously, the game is still a few days away. Due to that, there's a chance the players are ready to go for game time. However, it definitely doesn't bode well that three of Pittsburgh's best players are missing practice just a few days before the game.

Especially considering they're already out a Hall of Fame quarterback.

2. Lamar Jackson

Lamar Jackson sure has been a revelation. Although his last two weeks haven't been nearly good as his first two, he's proven a lot.

Jackson can clearly throw the ball down the field. He is also an elite athlete that can create plays with his legs when needed.

This creates a major problem for defenses. Basically, even when Jackson isn't having his best day, he'll have at least a few electric plays.

So far, the second-year quarterback has completed 64.9% of his passes for 1,110 yards and 10 touchdowns compared to just two interceptions. Meanwhile, he has picked up another 238 yards and one more touchdown on the ground.

Each week it's becoming blatantly obvious that the NFL has another star on their hands.

Will he be able to keep up the ridiculous production he's put up so far for an entire season? More than likely not. That doesn't mean he's going to fall off a cliff though. Jackson's going to consistently make big plays that give his team a chance to win.

Expect that to continue in Week 5 against the Steelers.

1. Mark Ingram

Mark Ingram is really good, really really good. You likely knew this from watching him over the years. However, he's set out to make sure everyone knows it this year.

The running back has been absolutely incredible this season, carrying the ball 55 times for 328 yards (6.0 yards per carry) and five touchdowns.

He was well on his way to another monster game in Week 4, but the Ravens losing by so much caused them to stop running as much. Still, he picked up 71 yards using just 12 carries.

Pittsburgh's defense has not been good against the run. They're allowing 122.8 yards per game and 4.1 yards per carry. Ingram should be able to feast on them (especially if Heyward is out).

Due to that, the Ravens will control the pace of the game and things will be much easier for Jackson at quarterback.

If Baltimore gets an early lead, expect them to run the ball into the ground. That all starts with Ingram, as he looks to continue building on an incredibly impressive start to the season.

This could be another 100-yard, multi-touchdown performance from the veteran – something he's already done twice this year.