The Steelers defeat the Jackson-less Ravens and advance to the playoffs if either Buffalo or Jacksonville lose.If either Buffalo or Jacksonville lose, the Steelers defeat the Ravens without Jackson and go on to the postseason.
Although it wasn’t a classic game in the AFC North rivalry between the Steelers and Ravens, Pittsburgh was nonetheless involved.
With Sunday’s games determining how the AFC playoff picture will unfold, the Steelers maintained their playoff hopes with a 17-10 victory over Baltimore to close out the regular season.
Nevertheless, despite Baltimore resting a number of important starters, including possible MVP Lamar Jackson, Odell Beckham Jr., and others, Pittsburgh managed to win in wet and unpleasant circumstances.
As a result, the Ravens, who had previously secured the top seed in the AFC, dropped to 13-4, while the Steelers improved to 10-7. Five winners and losers from the game will help us analyze it further:WINNER: Steelers’ Najee Harris
Playing in inclement weather typically means that running backs will have a demanding workload. That was a direct benefit to Mike Tomlin’s offense, which used running back Najee Harris to his advantage the entire game. Upon 26 carries, Harris finished the game with 112 rushing yards and a touchdown. He also added five 21-yard catches. Most significantly, despite the Steelers’ victory, they were hindered by his cautious handling of the ball.
Players from both teams—Pittsburgh more so than Baltimore—struggled to hold possession in the wet conditions. Even though they only lost two games that day, the Steelers fumbled six times. The Ravens lost both of their fumbles. While backup running back Jaylen Warren fumbled twice and lost one, quarterback Mason Rudolph was responsible for three of Pittsburgh’s and only lost one. Gus Edwards and Melvin Gordon III both failed a fumble for Baltimore.
WINNER: Steelers’ Diontae Johnson
These are the kinds of games that only one player needs to win. On the opening play of the fourth quarter, Pittsburgh took advantage of that opportunity. Diontae Johnson, a wideout, was discovered by Rudolph on a deep post route. Johnson breezed past all safeties to reach them final zone. In the end, Johnson had four receptions for 89 yards and a touchdown on a day when neither team’s passing game really got going. For example, George Pickens failed to log a single target. On a three-yard carry for a first down in the second half, that was his only touch./cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72807232/1763689669.0.jpg)
Ravens’ Tyler Huntley In contrast to Rudolph, who completed 18 of 20 passes for 152 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions (despite three fumbles), Tyler Huntley, Baltimore’s replacement for Jackson, performed poorly. The 25-year-old ran for 40 yards on eight attempts and completed 15 of 28 passes for 146 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions. In the final seconds, when Baltimore ideally needed a touchdown to keep it close, he also took a sack. The good news for the Ravens is that Jackson will start under center again for the divisional round, despite being sacked four times for a loss of 28 yards.
