Mark Madden's Hot Take: Steelers need to let Russ cook in must-win game

You will know the likelihood of the Pittsburgh Steelers beating the Baltimore Ravens at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday after the Steelers’ first two offensive plays.

If the Steelers run the ball twice by way of indulging their preferred hard-nosed style and pursuing how this matchup traditionally is contested, they’re ignoring that Baltimore’s pass defense is ranked last in the NFL. The Ravens are surrendering a whopping 294.9 yards per game through the air.

If the Steelers pursue their self-styled identity instead of attacking Baltimore’s glaring weakness, the Ravens will win.

The Ravens have the better roster. They’re favored by three. They have occasionally looked like the NFL’s best team this season.

Quarterback Lamar Jackson might be headed for his third NFL MVP. Running back Derrick Henry is averaging 6.1 yards per carry and has a shot at a 2,000-yard season.

Who would you rather have: Jackson and Henry, or Russell Wilson and Najee Harris?

The Steelers can attack the Ravens where they’re flawed, throw the ball 40 times and win a potentially high-scoring game.

Or they can try to force a 13-9 victory.

I say let Russ cook.

Mike Tomlin might have a different idea. This game is a chess match. But Tomlin and Ravens coach John Harbaugh like playing checkers.

This is must-win for the Steelers. They lose this game, they don’t win the AFC North and they don’t win a playoff game.