PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers insist they have no secret formula for stopping Lamar Jackson. That there’s nothing mystical about their approach to the Baltimore Ravens’ supernatural quarterback.

They study cinema. Like everyone else. They read their signals. Like everyone else. They fight. Like everyone else.

And they win. Like almost no one else.

“Forget the details of what you are doing” said Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. “You better play hard, fast and together, or you’re out of luck.”

They almost always do it when Jackson is on the other side of the line of scrimmage.

The latest proof of that came in an 18-16 win over the Ravens on Sunday, which included another 60-minute clinic to slow down perhaps the league’s most dynamic player.

Pittsburgh (8-2) held Jackson and the rest of the NFL’s top-ranked offense to season lows in points and yards (329) and season highs in errors, some self-inflicted, others don’t.

Baltimore (7-4) turned the tide three times – each leading to one of Chris Boswell’s six baskets – and committed 12 penalties without ever really establishing the kind of rhythm that comes so easily when facing someone one other than the Steelers.

“I can’t call him.” » Jackson said after falling to 1-4 against Pittsburgh. “I feel like we’re making progress in the right direction and something would happen.”

The two-time MVP completed just 16 of 33 for 207 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He hit Zay Flowers for a 16-yard score with 1:06 left to bring the Ravens within two points, but the 2-point conversion attempt was a waste. Jackson rolled to his left, tried to run, then stopped and said a prayer to no one in particular that didn’t come up short.

The Steelers – with backup quarterback Justin Fields replacing Russell Wilson on a few snaps – picked up a first down on the ensuing drive as Pittsburgh ran out the clock to give the Steelers a 1 1/2 game lead over Baltimore.

“To come away with a victory, it took everyone, not just one. » said Pittsburgh defensive tackle Cam Heyward. “And we understand how crucial these AFC North games are. We understand we have a small gantlet (coming soon).

The Steelers appear to be well equipped to handle this one.

The list of contributors to Pittsburgh’s eighth win in its last nine games against the Ravens included rookie linebacker Payton Wilson — who literally stole the ball from Baltimore running back Justice Hill for a crucial fourth-quarter pick — and new arrivals Patrick Queen and DeShon Elliott, former Ravens who quickly found their place on the other side of the rivalry.

Elliott pounced on a Derrick Henry fumble on Baltimore’s first possession and Queen — who left Baltimore in free agency after the Ravens opted not to make him an offer — stripped former teammate Isaiah Likely to late in the first half and recovered the loose ball that led to a Boswell field goal and a 9-7 halftime lead that the Steelers never relinquished.