The Baltimore Ravens have a massive matchup looming in Week 16. Add in the fact that it is against a hated rival, and you’ve got primetime NFL action.
They’ll face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday afternoon, and I discussed some important aspects of the game with Steelers beat writer Rob Gregson this week.
Q1: Pittsburgh is needing another receiver to step up for Russell Wilson. Who do you think that’ll be this week? Could it even be a TE or RB as well?
A1. George Pickens returned to practice in a limited state on Tuesday, largely sticking to individual drills and position specifics. But if he is sidelined for the third week in a row, someone has to step up and it feels like Pat Freiermuth’s game. Expect him to be targeting often on Saturday.
Q2: Star pass rusher T.J. Watt is banged up for Pittsburgh. What’s the latest on his status, according to HC Mike Tomlin?
A2. Tomlin was optimistic on the status of Watt when asked about his availability on Saturday. He’s dealing with a low ankle sprain, which is obviously better than a high ankle sprain, but he wasn’t seen at Tuesday’s practice and faces a tough road on a short week.
Q3: Will the Steelers sweep the season series over the Ravens? Give me your final score prediction for the rivalry clash.
A3. It feels like the Ravens are catching a wounded dog in the Steelers right now. Both are coming off short weeks, but the injury situation in Pittsburgh is much more dire. If they can’t return to health, expect Baltimore to win. 22-15 Ravens
Gregson’s got Baltimore winning as of now, with so many injury questions surrounding Mike Tomlin’s squad.
If the Ravens want to accomplish that, they’ll need to play a much cleaner game than they did earlier in the season. Not to mention, Lamar Jackson m must prove he can take advantage of a Steelers defense with a flurry of notable ailments.
I also answered some intriguing questions from Gregson, from a Ravens perspective, for the matchup. Check out those answers here.