The Pittsburgh Steelers, who already own a playoff spot, are setting their sights on clinching the AFC North against their bitter rivals in Baltimore.
The Ravens want no part of watching that celebration scene and can sew up their own playoff spot with a victory over the visiting Steelers on Saturday.
Pittsburgh (10-4) is in a potential division-clinching position thanks to a 18-16 home win over Baltimore (9-5) on Nov. 17. The Steelers’ Chris Boswell kicked six field goals, and the Ravens came up empty on a two-point conversion with 1:06 remaining.
That victory was the Steelers’ eighth in the past nine meetings with the Ravens.
“Losing, in general, bothers me — not the team we play, really,” Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson said. “(We’ve) just got to find a way to get a ‘dub.'”
Jackson will face a Pittsburgh squad that feels there is much more to accomplish.
“We understand that there’s a checklist we made for ourselves,” star defensive tackle Cameron Heyward said. “We talk about being a top team in the AFC. To be a top team in the AFC, you need to win the AFC North, to get to the playoffs.
“We want home games in January. This is a step toward that.”
The Steelers saw their division lead decrease to one game last week with a 27-13 road loss against the Philadelphia Eagles. Despite the setback, Pittsburgh clinched a playoff spot due to losses by the Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts.
Baltimore gained ground on Pittsburgh with a 35-14 road win over the New York Giants. That contest marked the Ravens’ first of three in an 11-day span, including a Christmas Day clash against the Houston Texans on a Wednesday.
But first up is figuring out how to stop their woes against the Steelers.
Jackson fell to 1-4 as a starter against the Steelers with the loss last month. During his seven-year career, he has never started a home game in front of a packed house against Pittsburgh. His lone home start vs. the Steelers — a 28-24 setback in 2020 — came with only 4,345 fans present due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Jackson badly craves a victory against the Steelers, but he isn’t alone.
“It bothers me,” Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey said of the recent 1-8 mark. “That’s not a good number at all. You want to be able to beat your rival.
“I’m talking to the team at some point this week after practice, but that has to be the message. This means a lot to a lot of people. It means a lot to me being here for a long time, and if you don’t understand, the message will be very clear as the week goes on.”
Ravens star running back Derrick Henry ranks second in the NFL with 1,474 rushing yards but has failed to reach 100 in four of the past five games. Henry had 65 in the loss to the Steelers, with 31 coming on one play.
Jackson tossed five touchdown passes for the sixth time in his career in the victory over New York. He has thrown 34 touchdowns against three interceptions this year.
Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson threw for a season-high 414 yards against the Cincinnati Bengals on Dec. 1 but has followed up with meager outputs of 158 and 128 yards.
The Steelers are monitoring the progress of star linebacker T.J. Watt, who injured his left ankle late in the loss against the Eagles.
Watt was a limited practice participant on Wednesday and a full participant on Thursday.
“We’ll see Sunday — or Saturday I guess I should say — but I felt pretty good this week,” Watt said Thursday in regard to his recovery. “Obviously it’s a short week but felt pretty good.”
Wide receiver George Pickens will miss his third straight game due to a hamstring injury. He joined quarterback Justin Fields (abdomen) in being ruled out while safety DeShon Elliott (hamstring) is doubtful after being limited in practice on Thursday.
Cornerback Donte Jackson (back) and defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (groin) are questionable to play against the Ravens.
Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman was seen wearing a walking boot in the locker room and did not participate in practice on Thursday. He is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game with a foot injury.
Bateman was limited in practice on Wednesday, three days after reeling in a pair of touchdown receptions against the Giants.
Also on Thursday, fellow wideout Nelson Agholor worked out on a side field as he deals with the lingering effects of a concussion. He also is questionable to face the Steelers.
Baltimore ruled out wide receiver Diontae Johnson (personal) and cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis (hamstring), while guard Daniel Faalele (knee) and outside linebacker Odafe Oweh (ankle) are questionable.
