In a must-see Sunday Night Football matchup, the Pittsburgh Steelers will host the Baltimore Ravens in a winner-take-all scenario for the AFC North crown. The victorious team will host an AFC wild-card round game, while the loser will begin an offseason of unrest and pressure for changes.
The 9-7 Steelers wasted an opportunity to clinch their first division title in five years when they scored a season-low six points in a loss to Cleveland last week.
A three-game winning streak came to an ugly end, as the Pittsburgh offense clearly missed the presence of suspended wide receiver DK Metcalf.
Baltimore comes into Week 18 with an 8-8 record and might be rounding into form at the most important time of the year. Let’s see if they sustain the momentum of last week’s thumping of the Packers, in which they scored 41 points.
Derrick Henry put on one of the best shows of his career, with 216 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Now the Ravens and Steelers meet for the first time in a winner-take-all regular season finale.
The Ravens are expected to get Jackson back from a back injury after he sat out the win at Green Bay. For Pittsburgh, T.J. Watt might return from missing three games because of a collapsed lung.
All the major key players should be available for Sunday night on both sides, except for Metcalf.
A Steelers loss could raise the volume on demands to end the Mike Tomlin era. If the offense struggles again in a defeat, Metcalf might take major heat for the season not extending into the playoffs.
Steelers vs. Ravens predictions and best betsRavens -3.5: -105 at DraftKingsOver 41.5 Points: -105 at FanDuelKenneth Gainwell Over 4.5 Receptions: +100 at BetMGM
Lamar Jackson is not playing at his past MVP levels, but Henry is a proven big-game performer who will get a lot of attention after his historic performance at Green Bay. The threat of another spectacular outing can create optimum offensive balance for Baltimore.
I don’t expect Henry to approach 100 yards again this week against a good Steelers run defense, but he is undoubtedly a major threat with the division on the line.
The Baltimore pass defense has been an issue throughout the season. The Ravens have allowed the third-most receiving yards to wide receivers and the third-most receptions to running backs.
Gainwell leads the Steelers with 65 receptions, and he caught 21 passes in the last four games.
Pittsburgh might get Calvin Austin III back from a hamstring injury, but the Steelers may not have enough weaponry to take advantage of the Baltimore pass defense.
Pittsburgh won the first meeting with the Ravens, 27-22, in Week 14. Metcalf logged his best game as a Steeler, catching seven of 12 targets for 148 yards.
Steelers vs. Ravens moneyline analysisWhy the Ravens could win as the favorite
Best odds: -184 at FanDuel
Baltimore can become the third team since 1970 to lose five of its first six games and win a division title. The Ravens’ season was on the verge of slipping away last week, but they went into Green Bay and thumped the Packers.
This is not the same Ravens team from the first six games of the season, and could be ready to pounce in what is an unofficial playoff game.
Henry has often reveled in the big-game atmosphere. He has totaled 100-plus scrimmage yards in his last four games against divisional opponents.
Zay Flowers has caught TD passes in three consecutive games. He had six catches for 124 yards in the first meeting with the Steelers this season, and could be a key offensive performer for the Ravens this week.
On defense, Travis Jones should be a disruptor. He registered 1.5 sacks last week and has a tackle for a loss in five of his past six road games.
Tomlin is under fire in Pittsburgh, but if Baltimore coach John Harbaugh loses this game, he will be the one feeling the push from the fans who want a new start.
Why the Steelers could win as the underdog
Best odds: +165 at Fanatics
The Steelers’ run defense, anchored by Derrick Harmon, has allowed 52 rushing yards per game in the last three, as noted by ESPN.
The return of Watt can be a major factor, as he has a tackle for a loss in five of his last six games. Henry rushed for 94 yards in the first meeting this season, and the Steelers won by five points.
Gainwell has 100-plus scrimmage yards in two of his last three games. Jaylen Warren had a TD reception in the previous meeting. The thin situation at wide receiver will require that the two top Steelers RBs play significant roles in a possible victory.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Aaron Rodgers’ former teammate with the Packers, was targeted nine times last week. Pat Freiermuth led Pittsburgh with three receptions for 63 yards.
Darnell Washington is out with a broken arm, so Freiermuth may be asked to step forward and play a larger role in the offense. Valdes-Scantling can potentially challenge the Baltimore secondary downfield.
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