An Essential Win

This is the most important game of the regarding the AFC playoff picture. Specifically, the AFC North, who is currently led by the Pittsburgh Steelers at 10-4. Closely following that is the Baltimore Ravens, who sit at 9-5. If Baltimore wins, the Steelers will hold the conference by just one conference win, but the Ravens will have put significant pressure on Pittsburgh after a tough loss to the Eagles last week. The Steelers then play the Chiefs and Bengals the following weeks, who are tough opponents, and those games will be hard-fought. The Ravens, play the Texans and Browns, and looking at this conservatively, they will probably beat the Browns. Maybe even the Texans. The point I’m making is the Steelers have a tough road ahead, so it would not be wise to drop this game, putting more pressure on themselves in the next weeks. They have a tall task in trying to contain arguably the best player in the league in Lamar Jackson, who just torched MetLife Stadium and the Giants by throwing for 5 TDs. It wasn’t even close. But Lamar brings that threat to any game, no matter the opponent, there’s a reason he’s a two-time league MVP. Plus, they have a phenomenal supporting offensive cast and a pretty good defense to follow. Baltimore is 1st in the league in total offense, and top five in both rushing and passing offense, they’re going to be coming for Pittsburgh neck Saturday, (another one!)

The Steelers need to hop back on that wagon they were riding along so smoothly on. It’s getting close to playoff time, and if your wheels aren’t properly put on, your ride may collapse before it gets very far. They were doing so well, and I mean that with sincerity. They won eight of nine games and blew by the Ravens who were having a couple missteps. But that was a really demoralizing loss against Philadelphia, who is most definitely one of the best teams in the league, and while the Steelers have faced good teams, the Eagles were the best of all of them. I would’ve liked to see them not put up only 13 points and get the ball thrown all over them. Russell Wilson was 14/22 with 128 yards passing, Najee Harris had 14 yards on the ground, and outside a few big plays to Calvin Austin, their leading receiver had 22 yards. Not a good game in the least. Let’s add some history now; the Steelers have beaten the Ravens twice in a season, in three out of their last four seasons. However, I don’t think it’ll be enough. It’s hard to contain Lamar Jackson, especially when he’s feeling it. He just got to play against the Pee-Wee New York Giants, and the Steelers are most certainly tougher, but he’s going to be loose for this game. Ravens get this one.