Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, left, and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger walk off the field after talking following an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

By Aaron Kasinitz | akasinitz@pennlive.com

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BALTIMORE — The Baltimore Ravens (4-4) will welcome the AFC North rival Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2-1) into M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday at a crucial point of the season.

After a strong start (which included a Week 4 win over Pittsburgh), Baltimore has dropped three of its past four games. A few more losses could push a playoff berth out of reach and leave coach John Harbaugh and quarterback Joe Flacco facing uncertain futures.

So, yes, this is a big one in Charm City. Here are four stats to know for the clash…

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1) The Steelers average 418.1 total yards per game (fourth in the NFL), but gained a season-low 284 yards in the Week 4 loss to the Ravens

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Pittsburgh Steelers running back James Conner (30) is tackled by Baltimore Ravens defensive back Tony Jefferson (23) during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018. (AP Photo/Fred Vuich)

Even without all-world running back Le’Veon Bell in the mix, the Steelers’ offense has maintained its explosiveness. James Conner has stepped in as a capable ball-carrier, while quarterback Ben Roethlisberger continues to use the litany of playmakers around him to lead a potent passing attack. The Ravens’ top-ranked defense did give Pittsburgh trouble back in Week 4, though, holding the Steelers to a measly 19 yards rushing and shutting out the hosts for the second half of the game at Heinz Field.

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Why it matters Sunday

Baltimore’s defense showed its first significant cracks in last week’s 15-point loss to the Panthers, and Pittsburgh offers a tough test. Defending wide receivers Antonio Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster is a particular challenge. We could learn Sunday whether the Ravens face deep-seated issues or if the poor outing in Charlotte was more of a blip than a sign of an impending collapse.

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2) The Ravens have combined for one takeaway the past three games, their worst total in a three-game span since 2015

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The Ravens led the NFL with 34 takeaways in 2017, but they haven’t been able to generate as many turnovers this season. Their minus-four turnover margin ranks 23rd in the league, which is one of many factors that explain how the Ravens have made strides on both sides of the ball but remain stuck at .500.

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Why it matters Sunday

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Since the start of the 2017 season, the Ravens have won just one game in which they’ve lost the turnover battle. And though Baltimore stymied Pittsburgh in September, the Steelers aren’t the easiest offense to stop. They rank second in the NFL in red zone efficiency and have put up an average of 34 points per game the past three weeks, so the Ravens would receive a much-needed jolt from a couple of takeaways — if they can finally get them.

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3) The Ravens are 5-0 against the Steelers since 2013 when they hold Ben Roethlisberger to less than 6.5 yards per pass attempt

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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) throws a pass under pressure by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kenny Young (40) in the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018. (AP Photo/Fred Vuich)

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When the Ravens contain Roethlisberger, they typically win. But over the same span of game, the Steelers are 5-0 when their quarterback tops the 6.5 yards per attempt. In the Week 4 game this year, Roethlisberger struggled to get going, throwing one interception and racking up 274 yards on 47 passing attempts (5.8 average), and Baltimore cruised to victory.

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Why it matters Sunday

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The Ravens’ defense and Steelers’ offenses are in different places than when they last met a little more than a month ago. One Baltimore cornerback (Jimmy Smith) returned to the lineup, while one who starred against Pittsburgh (Marlon Humphrey) has missed the past two games with a thigh injury, coinciding with the Ravens’ newfound struggles. Meanwhile, the Steelers have won three straight, with Roethlisberger averaging better than 7 yards per pass attempt in each outing. Baltimore’s secondary must slow down that passing attack to keep recent history on its side Sunday.

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4) Since the start of the 2008 season, 15 of 21 regular-season games between the Ravens and Steelers have been decided by four points or fewer

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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

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These rivalry games always seem to go down to the wire. Over this stretch, which dates back to coach John Harbaugh’s first season in Baltimore, no two teams have played as many nail-biters as the Ravens and Steelers. Pittsburgh has won eight of the games decided by four points or fewer, while Baltimore has won seven.

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Why it matters Sunday

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The Ravens have struggled in close games of late, losing all six of their contests (including one against the Steelers) decided by four points or fewer since the start of the 2017 season. So if Baltimore and Pittsburgh careen toward a tight finish Sunday as they so often do, Harbaugh’s team will need to halt its recent trend to earn a key victory.

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