The Pittsburgh Steelers will be playing for their playoff lives in Week 18 against the Baltimore Ravens. Games against Baltimore are already extremely heated due to the rivalry between the two organizations, but this matchup in particular will have a lot more going into it.
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Steelers' George Pickens secures a 41-yard touchdown and the winning score against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 5.
There are many different scenarios in which the Steelers can clinch a playoff berth in Week 18, but for them to have any realistic shot to make the postseason, they will need to get a victory in Baltimore.
Steelers Already Being Overlooked By John Harbaugh And The Ravens
The Ravens have already clinched the one-seed in the AFC, which is actually a good thing for the Steelers. No official statement has been made by the Ravens yet, but there is a strong likelihood that they decide to rest the majority of their starters in Week 18, or at least not play them the entire game. The Ravens have nothing to play for since they already clinched a first-round bye and home field advantage throughout the entire postseason. Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh admitted to already planning for the postseason during his recent press conference.
"We have kind of a two-fold thought process right now. We have our priority, which is the Steelers game. Putting our best foot forward, playing our best game against our biggest rival, who are playing great football. We expect it to be a very hard fought game, so we've got to get our minds right for that. Also planning for the next step, in the playoffs. Those are the two things we are looking at today."
Harbaugh and the Ravens already focusing some on planning for the playoffs can only benefit the Steelers. That, along with the chances of the Ravens resting the majority of their starters is key. This is a must-win game for Pittsburgh, and things couldn't be lining up any better for them.
Baltimore already planning for the playoffs makes sense though, as they have had a very successful season and they don't want it to end with a disappointing loss. However, they have no idea who they will be playing quite yet because of the first-round bye. They will be playing the lowest remaining seed based on the results of Wild Card weekend.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers running back, Jaylen Warren (30).
The Steelers have had a lot of success against the Ravens as of late, including a 2023 Week 5 victory in Pittsburgh at Acrisure Stadium. The Steelers were down for the majority of the game, but had a strong fourth quarter, which helped propel them to a victory. Rookie Joey Porter Jr. had a late interception in the red zone, and Miles Killebrew blocked a punt which resulted in a safety. During the fourth quarter, Kenny Pickett found George Pickens on a deep ball that went for 41 yards and a touchdown, which helped the Steelers earn an eventual 17-10 win.
A lot has happened throughout the 2023 season since the Steelers beat Baltimore. The Ravens have only lost one game since. Meanwhile, the Steelers went on a three-game losing streak against inferior opponents and played themselves out of the top seven seeds in the AFC. Baltimore is coming off of a huge win, as they blew out the Miami Dolphins in Week 17 by a score of 56-19 in what was a battle for the one seed in the AFC.
Shawn Hubbard / Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (8).
The Steelers might just be playing their best football of the season. They are on a two-game win streak after beating both the Cincinnati Bengals and the Seattle Seahawks. Whether Baltimore decides to play their starters or not, the Steelers should be able to put up a fight and earn a victory in Week 18 which will keep their playoff hopes alive. Especially if the Ravens aren't fully focused on them.
What do you think about Harbaugh already planning for the playoffs? Let us know in the comments below!
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