Why the Baltimore Ravens must BENCH Lamar Jackson for Pittsburgh Steelers clash

THERE are two massive matchups in Week 18 that carry heavy playoff implications.

The Baltimore Ravens take on the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Carolina Panthers face off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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Lamar Jackson looks on during a win against the Miami DolphinsCredit: Getty

Aaron Rodgers reacts to a play during the Pittsburgh Steelers loss to the Cleveland BrownsCredit: Getty

In both matchups, the winner will make their way into the playoffs.

The Steelers suffered a devastation loss to the Cleveland Browns last week, a game in which they could have clinched the playoffs with a win.

The Panthers also lost their playoff clinching game against the Seattle Seahawks, leading to the winner-take-all games.

Who will win the AFC North? Who will win the NFC South?

Those questions and more were answered in this week’s episode of The U.S. Sun Sport’s Ain’t That Our Ball.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS VS BALTIMORE RAVENS

The Ravens have a chance to sneak their way into the playoffs after looking down for the count a few weeks ago.

That is mainly due to the Steelers squandering their best chance at clinching the division.

After winning three games in a row against the Ravens, Miami Dolphins, and Detroit Lions, the Steelers lost to the Browns.

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On top of that, DK Metcalf was suspended for the final two games of the regular season and the offense has looked lifeless without them.

“If Metcalf was in this game, I would give the Steelers a little more credit,” NFL expert Ryan Sanudo said.

“They have guys that really aren’t reliable in the wide receiver group. You’re going to be asking a lot out of that group.”

While the Steelers look worse without their offensive star, the Ravens somehow look better.

Derrick Henry runs the ball against the Green Bay PackersCredit: Reuters

Tyler Huntley has taken over for Lamar Jackson when he is injured, and he led the Ravens to a massive 41-24 win over the Green Bay Packers.

Huntley only passed for 107 yards with a touchdown, but he added 60 more rushing yards.

On top of that, he didn’t turn the ball over once, allowing Derrick Henry to run all over the Packers.

With the offense clicking so well without Jackson, the Ravens should consider sitting him down for the winner-take-all game.

“I think Lamar Jackson should ride the bench in this one,” host David Scott said.

“After how he’s played this year — and with the injuries — I think even if he is above 50 percent health sit him down.

“Huntley has been playing well, the team seems to be clicking in the games he’s played recently… I’d let him have a shot at it.”

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS VS CAROLINA PANTHERS

The NFC South has quickly turned into a dogfight, with two subpar teams fighting to make the playoffs.

At this point, it is possible that an 8-9 team will make it into the NFC side of the playoffs.

“It seems like none of these teams want to win the division,” Sanudo said.

The Panthers are currently 8-8, and have already taken down the Buccaneers this season.

With how poorly the Buccaneers are currently playing, the Panthers should have the edge.

“They are slightly better than the Buccaneers right now,” Scott said.

The biggest reason for the Buccaneers being in this position is the regression of their star players.

“First half of the season you’re looking at Baker Mayfield as an MVP frontrunner and you’re looking at Emeka Egbuka as an Offensive Rookie of the Year frontrunner,” Scott said.

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“Now they both are completely out of the question. Baker is nowhere near the MVP, Egbuka has completely fallen off.

“Everything seems to be crumbling.”

In the first eight games of the season, Mayfield passed for 1,919 yards with 13 touchdowns and just two interceptions.

In the last eight games he’s passed for 1,571 yards with 12 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

Egbuka’s falloff has coincided with Mayfield’s poor play.

In the first eight games, Egbuka caught 34 passes for 562 yards and five touchdowns.

Since then he has caught 28 passes for 368 yards and just one touchdown.

If the Buccaneers want any chance of making the playoffs, they will need these stars to bounce back in a big way.

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