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Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson emerged from the field house like a phoenix Thursday in Owings Mills, his back contusion protected by a flak jacket and teammates and coaches energized by his presence on an otherwise bitterly cold afternoon. The two-time NFL Most Valuable Player’s full participation in practice for a second straight day was a welcome sight for a season that hangs in the balance. Jackson said that he will “100%” play in Sunday night’s regular-season finale against the Steelers in Pittsburgh, where the winner will be crowned AFC North champs and advance to the playoffs and the loser’s season will be over. “I feel great,” he said. Certainly better than he did two weeks ago. Jackson called the back contusion that he suffered in a Week 16 loss to the New England Patriots that knocked him out of that game and caused him to miss last week’s must-win contest against the Green Bay Packers “extremely nasty” and added that he was “in pain.” He also dismissed any notion that he was faking or overdramatizing his latest malady. “I always want to play football,” he said Thursday in Owings Mills, where he was a full participant in practice for a second straight day. “I was really hurt. I don’t know why I have to get questioned about or I hear things about, ‘Oh I don’t know if he really hurt.’ I never quit on my team before. I’ve never quit anything, to be honest with y’all. I don’t know where that noise came from. “Some people probably think I’m a robot, but I’m a human being too. Unfortunately, I couldn’t avoid that injury.” Assuming he practices Friday as expected, it will also mark the first time that Jackson will have a full week of practice in two months. “It’s the closest we’ve been,” offensive coordinator Todd Monken said when asked how confident he is that Jackson will have his full complement of skills for what is a de facto playoff game for Baltimore in what has been a topsy-turvy season filled with injuries, questions and criticisms. “So, we’re excited. You like having your quarterback out there every day.” Jackson, unsurprisingly, has been at the nexus of many of the questions in what has been an incongruent and tumultuous season amid a series of afflictions for one of the game’s typically most dynamic and explosive players. Related Articles Ravens waive guard Ben Cleveland amid looming return from suspension Ravens’ Lamar Jackson practices Thursday, says he will ‘100%’ start Sunday READERS RESPOND: Some Ravens fans want QB Lamar Jackson traded NFL playoff picture: If Ravens get in, what does their path look like? Ravens’ defense eager for ‘dream scenario’ vs. Steelers with season at stake First, there was the hamstring injury he suffered during a Week 4 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs that knocked him from that game and kept him out of the next three as well, two of which were losses. Jackson returned in Week 9, threw four touchdown passes and had a near-perfect passer rating in a rout over the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Then a week later, he operated the offense smoothly in the noisy confines of U.S. Bank Stadium in Minnesota and navigated the blitz-happy Vikings defense with aplomb, guiding the Ravens to another victory. Wins over the hapless Cleveland Browns and New York Jets followed to mark five straight victories as Baltimore climbed back from the abyss of a 1-5 start to the top of the division, but the list of physical ailments continued to grow. Knee, ankle and toe issues were pesky inhibitors, though Jackson did not blame his poor play this season on any physical problems, even as the Ravens lost their next two at home, first to the Steelers, then the Cincinnati Bengals in a Thanksgiving night fiasco. Then came the Patriots game. With the score tied at 7 late in the second quarter and Baltimore driving toward another score, Jackson scrambled for 3 yards up the middle, but as he went down safety Craig Woodson’s knee drove into his back. Jackson winced and heaved as he went to the sideline and then the locker room. There, he was administered an injection of the anti-inflammatory drug Toradol, to no avail. He tried to throw a few passes to trainers, but the pain was too much and he didn’t return. With Jackson out against the Packers, Tyler “Snoop” Huntley filled the void and helped lead the Ravens to the 42-24 victory at Lambeau Field, where Derrick Henry rushed for 216 yards and four touchdowns. Two days later, Ravens coach John Harbaugh said that he was optimistic that Jackson would be able to play this week against Pittsburgh. For the quarterback, it became clear, he said, on Monday after undergoing more rehab, working out and throwing more passes. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson throws a pass during practice this week in Owings Mills. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Jackson returned to the practice field Wednesday sporting a flak jacket to protect his low back. He said he will wear the extra padding for the game as well, though he said it doesn’t affect his ability to throw or do the things he normally does. He also said the criticism he has endured during what has been perhaps the worst of his eight seasons doesn’t provide any added motivation. “I just want to win,” he said. “I don’t really care about the criticism, it’s going to be that way, especially with how the season was going and stuff like that. When you’re winning, there’s no noise, but soon as you lose, or things don’t look right, all types of noise come out of nowhere. So, it is what it is.” He also disputed suggestions raised in a column by Baltimore Sun columnist Mike Preston that he stays up until 1 a.m. or 2 a.m. playing video games or that he has fallen asleep in team meetings — though he did say he was sleeping during this past Sunday’s Browns-Steelers game as part of his rehab and that he didn’t want to “jinx” the outcome, with Pittsburgh needing to lose to keep the Ravens’ season alive. Likewise, Jackson insisted that he has a good relationship with Harbaugh. “Yeah, I believe so,” he said. “Like I said, I don’t know where the noise come from.” Teammates in recent days have likewise backed Jackson’s competitiveness. “I can’t really speak on motivating Lamar,” cornerback Marlon Humphrey said. “I think Lamar is very self-motivated. I don’t know if he lets external factors really motivate him, but I do know that if he’s out there, he’ll be ready to go.” Added safety Kyle Hamilton: “I don’t think it’s ever a matter of, does he want to? I think it’s just a matter of, is he physically able to do so? … I’ve been around this dude for the past four years, and I know what he’s about. I know that he practices what he preaches, and if he’s able to go out there, play and practice, he will do so. He’s a warrior, and I respect him. I respect who he is as a person and as a player. But yes, he’s a two-time MVP and the face of the franchise; people are probably going to talk a little bit. But it’s not with any negative connotation attached to it.” But with a prohibitive $74.5 million salary cap hit looming each of the next two seasons and a lack of clarity over current contract extension talks, questions about Jackson, who will turn 29 next week, and his future have arisen, particularly after what has been perhaps the worst of his eight seasons that still includes just one AFC championship game appearance. Long reluctant to discuss his contract during the season, Jackson when asked said that he “absolutely” wants to be in Baltimore. It was only two years ago, however, when he requested to be traded as the NFL’s owners meetings kicked off. He later said that was simply part of doing business while negotiating his first contract extension, which he did without an agent. Yet many of the same narratives that spilled over from the 2022 season — from a season-ending knee injury to contentious negotiations — have resurfaced again. Though Jackson doesn’t quite view the two years through the same lens. “It’s different in a way because we have a chance to make the playoffs and I can actually play,” he said. “Then, I couldn’t play, so it’s different.” For now, the only question that remains is whether the outcome in Pittsburgh will be any different than it has been of late. Jackson has been on the losing end in three of his past four starts at Acrisure Stadium. During that span, he has been sacked 18 times, thrown six interceptions and has just three touchdown passes. Now comes another opportunity, in what will be the first win-or-go-home game in the final week of the regular season for the storied rivalry. “You have to be calm in the storm,” he said. “So, that’s my approach. And I feel like that’s the team’s approach.” Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

The Ravens on Thursday waived guard Ben Cleveland, who was set to return from a three-game suspension this week. A 2021 third-round draft pick by Baltimore, Cleveland played just three snaps this season and was a healthy scratch in three games. On Dec. 8, he was suspended three games without pay for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. The 27-year-old from Georgia was re-signed by the Ravens in March to a one-year, $1.17 million dollar deal after making seven starts between 2021 and 2023. He appeared in 64 games with Baltimore but never managed to get a foothold among the starting five or in the rotation. In February, Cleveland was cited on suspicion of driving under the influence in his native Georgia after he had a BAC (blood alcohol concentration) of .178, over twice the legal limit of .08, according to police. His suspension was lifted on Dec. 29. He pleaded guilty on Nov. 4 to one count of driving under the influence. The charge resulted in a one-year probation. Coach John Harbaugh had previously spoken publicly about Cleveland’s difficulty securing a starting role in Baltimore. Harbaugh said that starting right guard Daniel Faalele “just a fact, straight up, matter of fact” beat him out. “Ben knows what he needs to do. If he wants playing time, he knows how he needs to play and how he needs to practice when he gets that chance,” Harbaugh said in September 2024. Cleveland pinned the struggles more on injuries forcing him to move around the offensive line than routinely play right guard. “It’s been a struggle having to move around positions with injuries and stuff like that,” Cleveland told The Baltimore Sun in 2024. “But as far as adapting to other positions and just playing where I’m asked, I feel like I’ve been extremely consistent and competitive.” Cleveland’s disappointing tenure in Baltimore now comes to an end, and it remains to be seen whether another team will claim the former first-team All-SEC lineman entering the postseason. Have a news tip? Contact Michael Howes at mhowes@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/Mikephowes. Related Articles Ravens’ Lamar Jackson practices Thursday, says he will ‘100%’ start Sunday READERS RESPOND: Some Ravens fans want QB Lamar Jackson traded NFL playoff picture: If Ravens get in, what does their path look like? Ravens’ defense eager for ‘dream scenario’ vs. Steelers with season at stake Mike Preston: Ravens must stop Aaron Rodgers. He’s Pittsburgh’s only hope. | COMMENTARY View the full article

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson returned for a second consecutive practice Thursday, but Baltimore still had notable absences. Wide receiver Rashod Bateman and outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy both missed a second consecutive day. Bateman was out with an illness, while Van Noy is dealing with a quad injury. Jackson said that he will “100%” start Sunday after missing last week’s 41-24 win over Green Bay with what the team described as a deep back contusion. Jackson was seen wearing bulky padding around his back during Wednesday’s session. “I’m doing a lot of treatment,” Jackson said. “Trying [to get] the contusion out of there as much as possible. But I feel great right now.” Jackson also said that he will wear the padding to keep his back protected, and that he wore something similar during his rookie season. Van Noy was seen in the locker room after Wednesday’s practice, but his continued absence Thursday casts doubt on the 12-year veteran’s availability for Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins returned Thursday in a limited capacity after resting Wednesday, leaving Bateman as the only one of Jackson’s targets yet to practice this week. Bateman has appeared in 13 games this season, totaling 38 receptions for 224 yards and two touchdowns after missing time earlier in the year with a high ankle sprain. Five players who were limited participants Wednesday, including linebacker Roquan Smith (hamstring), were all present at Thursday’s practice. Smith was still a limited participant, while tight end Charlie Kolar (nose), fullback Patrick Ricard (ankle), guard Andrew Vorhees (foot) and left tackle Ronnie Stanley (knee) were full participants. Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt was again a limited participant while recovering from a punctured lung from dry needling. Watt has missed the past three games after undergoing surgery to stabilize the lung. Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin hinted that Watt will be back Sunday, but he said that the capacity he’d return in is unknown. The 31-year-old Watt has seven sacks and three forced fumbles this season. “It’ll be great to have him back,” Austin said. “In what capacity we’ll find out really, not until Sunday. But it’ll be great to have him back.” Cornerback James Pierre was Pittsburgh’s only player absent from Thursday’s practice, listed with a calf injury and illness. Pierre has started four games and appeared in 13 this season, recording one interception and a fumble return for a touchdown. He was limited Wednesday. Cornerback Brandin Echols was again limited Thursday with a groin injury, while linebacker Malik Harrison was limited with a knee ailment. Echols has six pass breakups this season, and Harrison has started eight games, totaling 36 tackles. Like Wednesday, wide receiver Calvin Austin III was limited with a hamstring injury. Guard Isaac Seumalo (triceps) was a full participant Thursday after being limited Wednesday. Have a news tip? Contact Michael Howes at mhowes@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/Mikephowes. Related Articles Ravens waive guard Ben Cleveland amid looming return from suspension READERS RESPOND: Some Ravens fans want QB Lamar Jackson traded NFL playoff picture: If Ravens get in, what does their path look like? Ravens’ defense eager for ‘dream scenario’ vs. Steelers with season at stake Mike Preston: Ravens must stop Aaron Rodgers. He’s Pittsburgh’s only hope. | COMMENTARY View the full article

We asked readers what the Ravens should do with quarterback Lamar Jackson. Columnist Mike Preston recently wrote that Jackson and the Ravens are at a crossroads, and that something needs to change for the star quarterback and his team to reach a Super Bowl together. Here are the results from our online poll: Trade him for draft picks/players — 48.6% (1,703 votes) Negotiate a new contract with a lower cap hit — 43.8% (1,535 votes) Make him the NFL’s highest-paid QB — 7.6% (264 votes) Here’s what some fans have said about the Ravens’ quarterback (answers have been edited for clarity and grammar): You re-sign him … end of story. — Mark G. Lamar Jackson is a two-time MVP, and a once-in-a-generation talent. Trading him shouldn’t even be in any sane conversation. That being said, he definitely should either allow for a restructuring of his contract or even take a pay cut so the team can build a solid offensive line to protect him and increase our odds of winning a Super Bowl. The bottom line is that the Ravens must figure out a way to further build the team around the best QB in the NFL. — Chris McGloin Jackson doesn’t seem to be capable of finishing a season. He’s not the same hot-shot QB as when he started. We need a player to go the distance, playoffs included. — Robin Lamar is on the downside. Whatever it is, age, injuries or punishment he has taken, he is not the same. Even when healthy, his playoff performance is poor. Take a page from the Patriots’ book — trade a player before his performance completely deteriorates. He would be hard to replace but it is inevitable. Plus his cap hit would harm the rest of the team. I just feel it is time. The Ravens will never get to the Super Bowl with him. Trade him while his value is high. Let another team deal with his agent (mother), contract, moodiness and injuries. — Robert I contend, as many others, that Lamar has done his job and done it exceedingly well. How many times have his passes been dropped or fumbled away after catches in crucial situations, or coaching decisions destroyed the tempo of the game, to name a few? Yes, Lamar makes the big bucks and is now eight years after league entry and starting to break down, but those can’t necessarily be the points that call for a trade or lower his salary. What has the front office done to give him more protection, to get an elite pass rusher to give the defense more rest? What has been done to correct poor coaching decisions that ultimately rest on the shoulders of the head coach? NOTHING. So, I think a total objective evaluation of the team is in order before making any hurried decision about Lamar’s future. I can’t imagine how many years the organization would be set back trying to break in a draftee quarterback. Those who have been around long enough to remember the struggles before Flacco can bear witness. — Bill He will always have the reputation of not being able to win the big game and that will stay with him the rest of his career and is justified. The time has come to cut bait with him and get as much as you can, this whole organization needs a complete makeover including the head coach. — Bob lancione I think Jackson is very much affected by cold weather and as he ages the cold bothers him more, He has been the most entertaining QB I’ve ever seen, but as a Florida resident his reaction to cold is observable to me. And as he ages it becomes more problematic. — Terence Bosley It’s been a rough season all around. Injuries early. No pass rush. Turnovers on offense. Unfortunate calls going against them. Perplexing coaching decisions. And the regression of Lamar. But I think he can bounce back and be one of the best ever again. He needs a reset both physically and through coaching changes. Restructure his contract and start over with new leadership. — Mark H. Lamar’s legacy as one of the greats to ever play the game has already been cemented but let’s hope the cement doesn’t cure entirely prior to hoisting that elusive Lombardi Trophy in Baltimore. — Michael Pierce Related Articles Ravens waive guard Ben Cleveland amid looming return from suspension Ravens’ Lamar Jackson practices Thursday, says he will ‘100%’ start Sunday NFL playoff picture: If Ravens get in, what does their path look like? Ravens’ defense eager for ‘dream scenario’ vs. Steelers with season at stake Mike Preston: Ravens must stop Aaron Rodgers. He’s Pittsburgh’s only hope. | COMMENTARY A healthy Lamar and productive running backs both require a top-shelf offensive line. We’ve had something less than that. With protection, Lamar turned into the most efficient, least error-prone QB in the NFL. — Tim N. The question should be what should the Ravens do with John Harbaugh? — Fred Sanford Trade him to the Jets for two first-round picks and a case of Nathan’s hot dogs. — Chris Lamar Jackson will never get to the Super Bowl wearing a Ravens jersey. The Ravens have made a fundamental organizational miscalculation by placing an individual in a leadership role that does not have the attributes of a leader. That scenario always leads to a breakdown in commitment, discipline and dedication. — Charles The Baltimore Sun reader poll is an unscientific survey in which website users volunteer their opinions on the subject of the poll. To see results from previous sports polls, go to baltimoresun.com/sportspoll View the full article

It all comes down to this. After a season filled with twists and turns, the Ravens face the Steelers on Sunday night in Pittsburgh with a chance to win a third straight AFC North title and secure a spot in the playoffs for the seventh time in the past eight seasons. All eyes will be on Lamar Jackson’s availability heading into the pivotal matchup, but signs point toward the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player returning from a back injury after he practiced Wednesday. Jackson has missed four games because of injuries in what has been an up-and-down season that has been under the microscope of late because of his availability and unsettled contract status entering next year. But those are discussions for another day. Right now, the Ravens are entering the tail end of a campaign that began with Super Bowl aspirations, and those championship dreams are still right in front of them. Everyone knows that Sunday night’s game is win-and-in for the playoffs, but who will the winner face in the wild-card round? And what teams are lurking down the road? Here’s an updated look at the playoff picture: Wild-card matchups Jan. 10, 11 and 12 at higher seeds The winner of Ravens vs. Steelers will secure the No. 4 seed in the AFC by virtue of having the worst record among the four division champions. But division winners are guaranteed a home playoff game, which means the Ravens or Steelers will host a team with a better regular-season record. According to the NFL’s Next Gen Stats playoff probability model, here are the teams most likely to earn the No. 5 seed and make a trip to Baltimore or Pittsburgh in the wild-card round: Texans (11-5) — 68% Bills (11-5) — 21% Jaguars (12-4) — 6% Chargers (11-5) — 5% The Texans and Jaguars are still battling for the AFC South title, which will be decided in Week 18. Jacksonville can clinch the AFC South and the AFC’s No. 1 seed, lone first-round bye and home-field advantage with a win Sunday over the Tennessee Titans (3-13), a Broncos loss to the Chargers and a New England Patriots (13-3) loss to the Miami Dolphins (7-9). Jacksonville can also clinch the AFC South title with a win or tie, or a Texans loss or tie against the Indianapolis Colts (8-8), who will be starting rookie quarterback Riley Leonard instead of 44-year-old Philip Rivers. The Texans need a win over the Colts and a Jaguars loss to claim the division title. Related Articles Ravens’ defense eager for ‘dream scenario’ vs. Steelers with season at stake Mike Preston: Ravens must stop Aaron Rodgers. He’s Pittsburgh’s only hope. | COMMENTARY NFL pundits analyze Ravens vs. Steelers: ‘40-touch game for Derrick Henry’ Ravens injury report: 2 WRs and Kyle Van Noy miss Wednesday’s practice Ravens QB Lamar Jackson returns to practice ahead of Steelers game: ‘Very optimistic’ The Patriots and Denver Broncos (13-3) have already secured the AFC East and AFC West titles, respectively, so the Bills and Chargers are unable to climb higher than the fifth seed and thus don’t have much to play for this weekend. Denver clinches the AFC’s No. 1 seed with a win over the Chargers, or a tie and a Patriots loss to the Dolphins, or a Patriots loss and a Jaguars loss or tie. New England clinches the No. 1 seed with a win over Miami and a Broncos loss or tie, or a tie against the Dolphins and a Broncos loss. The Next Gen Stats model gives Denver an 82% chance to claim the top seed with the Patriots more likely to finish No. 2 (69%). But in the event of a Broncos loss to the Chargers, Denver is more likely to finish in third place (12%) than in second (6%). The Jags can rise as high as No. 1 in the conference or fall as far as No. 7, depending on how the weekend plays out. But their most likely outcome is to clinch the AFC South (86%). Buffalo is more likely to get the No. 6 (40%) or No. 7 (39%) seed, according to the Next Gen Stats model. Quarterback Josh Allen is dealing with a foot injury and might not play against the New York Jets (3-13) in the regular-season finale with the Bills’ playoff spot already secured. The Chargers and coach Jim Harbaugh are most likely to land the No. 7 seed (57%), followed by the No. 6 spot (38%). Quarterback Justin Herbert, who’s been dealing with a fractured left hand, will sit out Sunday’s game. The Ravens already faced the Texans earlier this season, suffering a 44-10 loss in Week 5 in one of the worst home defeats in franchise history. Cooper Rush started for an injured Jackson and threw three interceptions, while C.J. Stroud threw four touchdown passes and Houston piled up 417 total yards. Since its 0-3 start, Houston has been one of the hottest teams in the NFL, winning eight straight games behind one of the league’s best defenses. Zay Flowers and the Ravens could see the Patriots again in the divisional round — assuming they beat the Steelers on Sunday and win their home wild-card game. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Divisional round matchups Jan. 17 and 18 at higher seeds If the Ravens get past the Steelers and win their wild-card matchup, they have an outside chance of hosting a divisional round game. For that to happen, the No. 6 and/or No. 7 seeds would need to pull upsets in the wild-card round. Entering Week 18, the projected wild-card matchups are the No. 7 Chargers at the No. 2 Patriots and the No. 6 Bills at the No. 3 AFC South winner (Jaguars or Texans). If the higher-seeded Ravens, Patriots and Jaguars/Texans all win, Baltimore would face the projected No. 1 seed Broncos in Denver while the Patriots and Jaguars/Texans face off in New England. Wins by the Ravens, Patriots and Bills would send Buffalo to Denver and pit the Ravens and Patriots in Foxborough, Massachusetts, in a rematch of a Week 16 “Sunday Night Football” showdown won by New England. A pair of upsets by the Chargers and Bills would send Los Angeles to Denver in an AFC West matchup, while the Ravens would host Buffalo in a rematch of last year’s divisional round and subsequent Week 1 thriller. Conference championship weekend Jan. 25 at higher seeds Normally, this spot is reserved for Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, who have appeared in seven straight AFC title games. But the Chiefs are 6-10 and out of playoff contention while Mahomes is recovering from a torn ACL. That means a golden opportunity for a new contender to emerge. The New York Times’ playoff simulator — which estimates odds by randomly simulating the remainder of the season thousands of times while using a statistical forecast that incorporates a host of data — gives the Broncos the best odds to win the Super Bowl among AFC teams at 14%, followed by the Patriots (10%), Jaguars (7%), Texans (6%) and Bills (6%). The Ravens — who still need to win Sunday to get into the field — are at 3%. ESPN’s Football Power Index is similarly skeptical of the Ravens, putting their odds of winning the Super Bowl at 4.4% and their chance to make the AFC title game at 16.9%. The Broncos (46.6%) and Patriots (32.4%) are the clear favorites to make it to championship weekend in ESPN’s model, followed by the Jaguars (25.9%), Bills (24.4%), Texans (24.1%) and Chargers (22.1%). Super Bowl Sunday Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California Well, what about the NFC? In a cruel twist for Ravens fans, former Baltimore defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald and the Seahawks are the favorites to emerge in the NFC with 17% odds of winning the Super Bowl, per the New York Times simulator. But much of that promise hinges on a Week 18 matchup Saturday night at San Francisco, as the winner clinches the No. 1 seed, a first-round bye, home-field advantage throughout and the NFC West title. A loss by Seattle would lock in the No. 5 seed and a road wild-card game against the NFC South champions, which will either be the Panthers (8-8) or Buccaneers (7-9). Strangely enough, the three NFC teams with the highest odds of winning the Super Bowl, according to the New York Times simulator, reside in the NFC West. The Rams (9%) have a prolific offense and the 49ers (8%) might be peaking at the perfect time with Brock Purdy back healthy. The Eagles (8%) and Bears (4%) have been equally impressive and frustrating at times this season, but both carry plenty of star power. The Packers (2%) have wilted down the stretch because of injuries and inconsistent play, but Jordan Love was putting together a Pro Bowl-caliber season before his Week 16 concussion. If the Bears or Packers emerge in the NFC and meet the Super Bowl-bound Ravens, it would be an interesting scenario considering Jackson sat out against both of those teams earlier this season. But the star quarterback has been dominant against the other conference, going 25-5 against the NFC in his career. Have a news tip? Contact C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. View the full article

In the words of Marlon Humphrey, Sunday night is a “dream scenario.” The veteran Ravens cornerback jokingly applauded NFL script writers for any part they might have played in facilitating this weekend’s game in Pittsburgh, with the AFC North division title on the line. Two hated rivals meeting in the regular season finale — winner earns a playoff bid, loser heads home — will “probably get a little chippy,” Humphrey said. That’s the dream. Kyle Hamilton told the entire Ravens defense that it will be the kind of game that lives on for years to come. This Ravens defense has been shown just about every highlight clip in the rivalry. History lessons have been a theme of this season and a pillar of defensive coordinator Zach Orr’s motivational tactics. “You see the clips all the time,” Hamilton said, invoking the punishing hits and clutch takeaways from Hall of Famers Ray Lewis or Troy Polamalu. “This is gonna be one of those games and we need to make sure we’re on the right side of history.” Over the past month, the Ravens’ defense, particularly the secondary, has covered every nook and cranny, top, bottom and side of history. When the Steelers came to Baltimore, quarterback Aaron Rodgers passed for his season-high 284 yards and a touchdown. Humphrey thought that Rodgers “etched himself into the rivalry” with gusto. A week later in frigid Cincinnati, the Ravens pitched the organization’s first shutout since 2018. Then New England’s Drake Maye torched Baltimore for a career-high 380 yards. And Green Bay backup Malik Willis, albeit in his sixth career start, passed for a personal-best 288 yards. After Maye authored a masterful fourth quarter, Hamilton said that it felt as if the secondary was “taking on water” until the dam finally broke. Willis left the Ravens defense “bleeding” half the night, Hamilton said, switching metaphors, until Baltimore finally got on the same page and helped shut the door on a season-saving win. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said that he picked up on a few changes watching Ravens film of the past few weeks. He noticed Baltimore’s secondary “minimizing” some of its one-on-one matchups to temper explosive plays. More zone, less isolation, was Tomlin’s main takeaway. The Ravens’ defense has certainly taken their lumps. At times, the Ravens have struggled in pass rush and had trouble containing top-tier quarterback-receiver duos. They’ve been at their worst in prime time, and curiously closer to their best on the road. Their secondary has allowed 245.3 yards per game, which is tied for third-worst in the NFL. The Ravens are also bottom three in sack percentage per pass attempt. But on third down, they’re top 10 in the league at getting off the field and top five in the red zone. So the message going into Sunday is one that’s come up throughout the year: “Play smart but not play timid,” Hamilton said. “I think there’s a fine line, especially in this game. You can’t go out there holding any of your bullets in your gun ‘cause it’s win or go home.” Related Articles NFL playoff picture: If Ravens get in, what does their path look like? Mike Preston: Ravens must stop Aaron Rodgers. He’s Pittsburgh’s only hope. | COMMENTARY NFL pundits analyze Ravens vs. Steelers: ‘40-touch game for Derrick Henry’ Ravens injury report: 2 WRs and Kyle Van Noy miss Wednesday’s practice Ravens QB Lamar Jackson returns to practice ahead of Steelers game: ‘Very optimistic’ In early December, before the first iteration of Ravens versus Steelers, Humphrey said that he’d question the manhood of any defensive player unable to show up for what was also a must-win game. In the rematch, only so much needs to be verbalized about Sunday night’s significance. The Steelers will be without top-end receiver DK Metcalf, who was suspended for the final two games of the regular season for an altercation with a fan in Detroit. That’s a plus for Baltimore considering Metcalf was responsible for 148 yards on seven catches last time they played. The Steelers won’t have tight end Darnell Washington (broken arm) either but could get back speedy playmaker Calvin Austin III, who’s working back from a hamstring injury. Ravens coach John Harbaugh was asked Wednesday what decides games with such slim margins this late in the season. When every team is dealing with some physical and mental ailments in the home stretch of a long season, but both sides are fighting for their playoff lives, what does Harbaugh see as deciding factors? “It’s securing the football, taking the football away,” Harbaugh said, in part. That first meeting with Pittsburgh was the only game since Week 5 that the Ravens failed to force a turnover. Rookie linebacker Teddye Buchanan nearly stole the ball from Rodgers before officials ruled the quarterback down. Then a fourth-down stop was negated for an incorrect unnecessary roughness call against defensive tackle Travis Jones. Still, the Ravens’ defense is set up for a dream scenario of a second chance — both to beat their hated rivals and to atone for what has been perhaps the most disappointing season in franchise history up to this point. “Let it rip at the end of the day,” Hamilton said. “Whatever the outcome, you don’t want to be sitting in the locker room saying you could have done more.” Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn.x.com. View the full article

The outcome of Pittsburgh versus Baltimore will be decided by Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and whether he has one more miracle left in his 42-year-old body — and right arm. That’s it. Going into Sunday night’s encounter that will determine the AFC North champion, Pittsburgh will be without No. 1 wide receiver DK Metcalf, who is serving the second half of a two-game suspension, as well as behemoth tight end Darnell Washington (broken arm) and possibly injured players such as No. 2 receiver Calvin Austin III and starting left guard Isaac Seumalo. The Steelers aren’t winning unless Rodgers plays out of this world. He has to play like the old Aaron Rodgers who won four NFL Most Valuable Player Awards during his 17 years in Green Bay instead of an old Aaron Rodgers. The current Rodgers isn’t bad, having completed 65.6% of his passes for 3,028 yards and 23 touchdowns this season, but he is only averaging 6.7 yards per completion. That’s Tyler Huntley-like. The Ravens’ backup started for quarterback Lamar Jackson last week against Green Bay and completed 16 of 20 passes for 107 yards and a touchdown, but he had a full complement of receivers. Rodgers has no Metcalf and no Washington, and Austin might not play. Rodgers better be at his gunslinging best, the way he was in Green Bay when he passed for more than 4,000 yards five times. “I don’t know that I’ve taken time to ponder that. I’m just committed to making sure that it’s not,” Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin said earlier this week of Rodgers possibly playing the last game of his career. “He’s certainly been an awesome contributor to our efforts, not only from a talent perspective and an experience perspective, but just his professionalism. “His relationship with the game, his love for his teammates, and his willingness to help them grow and get better and gain better understanding each and every day has been cool to be a part of.” In the past four games, Rodgers seemed to have rejuvenated the Steelers, who are 3-1 during the stretch. There was the semblance of the long ball in the offense again, especially when Pittsburgh beat the Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium, 27-22, on Dec. 7. But last week, Pittsburgh’s offense looked pathetic. They had no downfield threats without Metcalf and Austin, and the Steelers had only 131 rushing yards in a 13-6 loss to the Browns that prevented Pittsburgh from clinching the AFC North title. Rodgers averaged just 4.3 yards per attempt in the defeat, his worst mark of the season. Ravens coach John Harbaugh has spent most of the week talking up the Steelers’ offense, but Pittsburgh has virtually no passing game. Worse yet, this isn’t the younger Rodgers, who could move and throw on the run with passes across his body. Rodgers used to be a gunslinger, but now he is more of a statue without any weapons. The 6-foot-4, 229-pound Metcalf has 59 catches for 850 yards and six touchdowns this season, and he lit up the Ravens’ secondary for seven receptions and 148 yards earlier this season. New England’s Stefon Diggs had nine catches for 138 yards in the Patriots’ win over the Ravens, 28-24, on Dec. 21. The Ravens have difficulties matching up with No. 1 receivers on the outside and across the middle. Packers backup Malik Willis even completed 18 of 21 passes for 288 yards last week. But Pittsburgh has no one now, and Rodgers has to come up big. Really big. Like an MVP-type performance. Related Articles NFL playoff picture: If Ravens get in, what does their path look like? Ravens’ defense eager for ‘dream scenario’ vs. Steelers with season at stake NFL pundits analyze Ravens vs. Steelers: ‘40-touch game for Derrick Henry’ Ravens injury report: 2 WRs and Kyle Van Noy miss Wednesday’s practice Ravens QB Lamar Jackson returns to practice ahead of Steelers game: ‘Very optimistic’ “You look at who’s in, and who’s out, for sure. Obviously, Metcalf, look at the trouble he gave us in the first game, so you factor it,” Harbaugh said. “You factor Washington, whether he can play or not, for sure, Austin, whether he can play or not, for sure. Those are big playmakers for those guys, but then you look at the other guys they have.” But they can’t challenge the Ravens downfield, which has been a weakness for Baltimore all season. The Ravens are ranked No. 25 in overall defense, allowing 352.3 yards per game, and are tied at No. 29, allowing 245.3 passing yards. That’s embarrassing. Pittsburgh is ranked No. 26 in overall offense and No. 26 in rushing, averaging 103 yards per game on the ground. The Steelers have a solid running game with backs Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell, but let’s not get crazy here. Warren has 892 rushing yards, and Gainwell has produced 527. But please, avoid the hype. “Gainwell is incredible,” Harbaugh said. “Their running backs are just, I think, top of the line running backs. Both those two guys are great. Jaylen is amazing, downhill, and they get him the ball in so many different ways. They do a great job of getting him the ball. They’ll run a progression-pass concept over here. Then, they’ll have like a — we call it an escort-type of a flare pass — and really, it’s a run play if they dump it out there, and Aaron does an incredible job of sorting all that stuff out [and] screens; they do a great job, and then you have the tight ends.” It all comes down to Rodgers, and if the Ravens can move him or make him feel uncomfortable in the pocket. The Ravens only have 28 sacks this season. Rodgers is great at running the play clock down to the last second and isn’t afraid to throw over the middle the way predecessor Russell Wilson was. He has to surface and take over the game, much like he did in Baltimore several weeks ago. He ran everything and controlled the tempo of the game. It was like prime Rodgers. Can he do it again? Probably not, unless he has one more miracle left in that body. Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers runs into the end zone untouched for a touchdown against the Ravens on Dec. 7. Rodgers led Pittsburgh to a 27-22 win in Baltimore. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) View the full article

The Ravens visit the Steelers on Sunday night with a division title and playoff berth on the line. Baltimore will make the trip with starting quarterback Lamar Jackson likely returning to the field. The two-time NFL Most Valuable Player Award winner sat out a Week 17 win vs. the Packers with a back injury suffered in Week 16 against the Patriots. He was at practice Wednesday, a great sign for his Sunday availability. If Jackson suffers a setback and can’t play, Tyler “Snoop” Huntley will get the nod. He led the Ravens to victories over a pair of playoff teams this season, beating the Bears and Packers. Baltimore leaned heavily on running back Derrick Henry a week ago, giving him 36 carries as Huntley was tasked with managing the game rather than stretching the field with his arm. Ahead of the crucial matchup, NFL pundits weighed in on Jackson’s health and how the Ravens should attack the Steelers. Here’s a sampling of what they said: Dan Orlovsky, ESPN “With all due respect and admiration of Lamar Jackson — he’s unbelievable — they don’t need Lamar to win this football game,” Orlovsky, a former NFL quarterback turned analyst, said. “If they give it to Derrick 35 times, they should win. And honestly, if they don’t, they don’t deserve to be in the playoffs.” The Steelers will be somewhat shorthanded, especially offensively. Pittsburgh won’t have suspended wide receiver DK Metcalf, who caught seven passes for 148 yards against the Ravens on Dec. 7. The Steelers will also be without injured tight end Darnell Washington, who had surgery on a broken arm this week. In Orlovsky’s eyes, Baltimore has the clear edge. Devin McCourty, NBC Sports A former NFL defensive back, McCourty won three Super Bowls with the Patriots. He’s of the belief the Ravens should focus on running the football with Henry regardless of Jackson’s return. His thoughts echo Orlovsky’s. “I think this is a 40-touch game for Derrick Henry that, like, if I was a coach, I would rather go down handing Derrick Henry the ball, not knowing exactly, how healthy we’re going to have Lamar or anything like that,” he said. “Or if Lamar is going to be able to practice all week, I would rather come in and say, ‘Hey guys, no matter what we’re handing him the ball, Lamar, if you’re healthy, we’ll sprinkle in, you know, maybe two quarterback designed runs to free it up. Get down if you have to. If Snoop Huntley, you’re in there, maybe we go 5-8 quarterback designed runs.’ I just think it all should be based around the run game and Derrick Henry, no matter what.” Henry’s 36 rushes against the Packers set a career high for the veteran running back. In a loss to the Steelers earlier this season, Henry rushed 25 times for 94 yards. He also caught one pass for 8 yards. No running back has carried the ball 40 times in 2025, but McCourty supports Baltimore trying it Sunday night. Chris Simms, NBC Sports Count Simms, a former NFL quarterback, among those not putting too much stock into Jackson’s health. Like others, he feels the Ravens can control Sunday’s game on the ground and won’t need anything transcendent from the quarterback position. “We know we want Lamar, but it’s not going to dictate what I think of this game a whole lot if Tyler Huntley is the starting quarterback,” he said. Marcus Spears, ESPN Spears interrupted Scott Van Pelt on Monday when Van Pelt hinted that the Ravens could be best prepared to beat the Steelers with a healthy Huntley instead of a banged up Jackson. Spears, who played for the Ravens in 2013, wasn’t having it. The former defensive lineman doesn’t want to hear any of the recent criticism of Baltimore’s star quarterback. “I am not going to listen to it,” he said as part of a lengthy rant. “This team has won every season because of him. They have been in the playoffs, AFC championship games. They made runs. This has been one of the best offensive football teams the last five years in the NFL, and we got one season where the dude been beat up. And I don’t give a [dang] if you don’t like how he come to the building, your [butt] wasn’t talking about that when he was out there winning MVPs and putting the team on his back when everybody else was injured.” Spears went on to place blame on others within the organization for some of the Ravens’ shortcomings. “I remember Todd Monken not running the football in the AFC championship game,” Spears added. “I remember Derrick Henry, just a week ago, not getting a touch in the [fourth quarter of a football game] that they possibly could have won if they would have ran the football. But Lamar Jackson’s the problem?” Related Articles Ravens injury report: 2 WRs and Kyle Van Noy miss Wednesday’s practice Ravens QB Lamar Jackson returns to practice ahead of Steelers game: ‘Very optimistic’ Ravens-Steelers rivalry takes on new chapter with first win-or-go-home game Watch Episode 18 of the BMore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law Steelers could have T.J. Watt back for ‘AFC North championship’ showdown against Ravens Dan Graziano, ESPN The NFL insider spoke about how both Baltimore’s John Harbaugh and Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomlin could be on the hot seat entering Sunday’s game. It’s possible, albeit far from a guarantee, that the losing coach could be fired for missing the postseason. Graziano thinks that’d be an unnecessary risk. “John Harbaugh and Mike Tomlin want to win a Super Bowl much worse than their fans do. That’s a fact,” he said. “They live, eat sleep and breathe it … I would caution the fans of these teams. Be careful what you wish for because you see these teams that go through coaches every two or three years and constantly picking in the top five and not having these conversations.” Chris Broussard, FOX Sports Broussard, who is open about being a Ravens fan, is optimistic about the Ravens going into January. “I don’t just believe about them beating the Steelers,” Broussard said. “I do believe they have a run in them. Oh, do they have a run in them. If I see Lamar Jackson out there playing at 85%, then watch out.” Oddsmakers don’t have the same belief as Broussard. The Ravens hold the 12th shortest Super Bowl odds of any team at +2000 on FanDuel. Colin Cowherd, FOX Sports Radio The radio host suggested he’d be in favor of trading Jackson following the season. “If I could get out from under Lamar’s $74 million potential cap hit next year, I would strongly consider it,” Cowherd said. “Why would it have to be ugly? … I like Lamar. I’m a Lamar fan. When he came out of college I’m like, ‘I’m not sure if that’s going to work.’ I didn’t think he was going to be a wide receiver, but he ran a lot, and I thought, ‘That may work against Clemson. I’m not sure that’s going to work in the NFL.’ Then after about his fifth start I’m like, ‘Yeah, that’s going to work big time in the NFL.'” Cowherd emphasized that if the Ravens and Jackson eventually part ways, there should only be mutual feelings of admiration. Baltimore hasn’t won a Super Bowl with Jackson, but they’ve been one of the NFL’s most consistent and successful teams during his tenure. He suggests a change of scenery could benefit both sides. Regardless of what happens Sunday, it’s clear Jackson’s legacy and future in Baltimore will be a key discussion point in the aftermath of the AFC North clash. Have a news tip? Contact Bennett Conlin at bconlin@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/BennettConlin. View the full article

The Ravens got their quarterback back for Wednesday’s practice but were missing two of his pass catchers. Lamar Jackson took the field after a week on the shelf for a back contusion he suffered in Baltimore’s Week 16 loss to the Patriots. He was a full participant, which bodes well for his availability against the Steelers this Sunday night — a playoff game, for all intents and purposes. Wideouts Rashod Bateman and DeAndre Hopkins were both missing, though neither listed for reasons that should impact their availability by the weekend. Bateman was out with an illness, while Hopkins was granted a veteran rest day. The two have combined for 41 catches for 554 yards and four touchdowns this season. Outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy (quad) was the team’s only other absence. However, he was seen in the locker room after practice, which is generally an indication that the injury isn’t too serious. The Ravens had a few prominent players listed as limited practice participants: linebacker Roquan Smith (hamstring), left tackle Ronnie Stanley (knee), fullback Patrick Ricard (ankle), tight end Charlie Kolar (nose) and guard Andrew Vorhees (foot). Defensive tackle Taven Bryan (knee), now back from injured reserve, was another limited participant. Harbaugh said earlier this week that his team flew back from Green Bay, Wisconsin, “in good shape, health-wise.” There were nicks and bruises, which are to be expected after a brutish win over the Packers, but nothing major that the coach expects to linger. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh will be without its top receiver, DK Metcalf, who was suspended for the final two games of the regular season. Tight end Darnell Washington won’t be available either. He was put on injured reserve with a broken arm. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is “optimistic” about returning five key players: All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt (lung), wide receiver Calvin Austin III (hamstring), cornerbacks Brandin Echols (groin) and James Pierre (calf) and left guard Isaac Seumalo (triceps). Watt, a four-time All-Pro who has seven sacks this season, hasn’t played since Week 14. He suffered a partially punctured lung during a dry needling treatment in early December. Austin and Echols both went down in Week 16 against the Lions and missed last weekend’s dud in Cleveland. Pierre is working toward a return after missing three games. And Seumalo hasn’t been available the past two weeks. All five returned to practice Wednesday in a limited capacity. Tomlin said that Watt won’t play unless he’s ramped up to a full participant by week’s end. Steelers linebacker Malik Harrison, a former Raven, was also limited Wednesday with a knee injury. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn.x.com. Related Articles Ravens QB Lamar Jackson returns to practice ahead of Steelers game: ‘Very optimistic’ Ravens-Steelers rivalry takes on new chapter with first win-or-go-home game Watch Episode 18 of the BMore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law Steelers could have T.J. Watt back for ‘AFC North championship’ showdown against Ravens Former Ravens Terrell Suggs, Marshal Yanda among 15 finalists for Pro Football Hall of Fame View the full article

Lamar Jackson is back. The Ravens quarterback returned to practice Wednesday for the first time since suffering a back injury in the second quarter of a Week 16 loss to the New England Patriots. The two-time NFL Most Valuable Player had been sidelined the past nine days and missed last week’s must-win game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Jackson’s arrival at the practice field in Owings Mills is also a good sign that he will be available for Sunday night’s regular-season finale against the Steelers in Pittsburgh, where the winner will capture the AFC North crown and the loser will be eliminated from playoff contention. The winner will also secure the No. 4 seed and host a wild-card playoff game. In Jackson’s absence, Tyler “Snoop” Huntley helped guide Baltimore to a 41-24 romp over the Packers to keep the Ravens’ playoff hopes alive, completing 80% of his passes for 107 yards and a touchdown with no turnovers and rushing for 60 yards on eight carries, but there’s little question who will get the start if Jackson is healthy. “I think the fact that we have a lot of confidence in Tyler is a real big positive and a real plus, but it doesn’t factor into whether Lamar plays,” coach John Harbaugh said on Monday. “If Lamar’s ready to go, he’s playing. That’s it, for sure.” Jackson has endured the worst year of his career amid a string of injuries, including to his hamstring, knee, ankle and toe. In 12 games, his 63.7% completion rate and 192.6 yards passing per game are the third-lowest marks in his eight seasons. He has also thrown for just 2,311 yards and just 18 touchdowns after a career-high 41 last season. His 28.3 rushing yards per game are easily the fewest of his career. In addition to missing four gams this season, he had also missed at least one day of practice each of the past seven weeks. But that streak came to an end on Wednesday. Harbaugh is scheduled to speak to reporters Wednesday afternoon. This article will be updated. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. Related Articles Ravens-Steelers rivalry takes on new chapter with first win-or-go-home game Watch Episode 18 of the BMore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law Steelers could have T.J. Watt back for ‘AFC North championship’ showdown against Ravens Former Ravens Terrell Suggs, Marshal Yanda among 15 finalists for Pro Football Hall of Fame Is Ravens’ John Harbaugh coaching for job against Steelers’ Mike Tomlin? View the full article

The Ravens-Steelers rivalry got off to a conspicuous start. Sept. 8, 1996 at 1 p.m. Week 2. Pittsburgh. 75 degrees and partly sunny. Marv Albert and Sam Wyche in the booth for NBC. A Kobe Bryant-Adidas commercial before kickoff. Ten-year veteran Vinny Testaverde under center for nascent Baltimore, which was playing just the second game of its existence after the Colts had jilted the Charm City for Indianapolis a dozen years earlier. As the former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback dropped back to pass on the second-generation but still plasticky AstroTurf of Three Rivers Stadium, feigning a handoff to running back Leroy Hoard on a second-and-8 from his own 33-yard line, the strong-armed Brooklyn native fired the ball 11 yards to the right sideline and receiver Michael Jackson on a curl route. Testaverde was looking that way the moment he started to drop back, Rod Woodson saw it and the Steelers safety broke toward the intended target long before the throw got there, snatched the pass out of the air and raced 43 yards untouched the other direction for a touchdown. Pittsburgh was victorious, 31-17, and went on to win 12 of the first 16 games between the two division foes in a rivalry that nearly wasn’t. In the years since, of course, it has become one of the NFL’s marquee matchups. The Ravens and Steelers have played 64 times in all, with Pittsburgh holding a 37-27 edge. Many of the contests have been as memorable as they were meaningful, including a 2016 Christmas Day thriller punctuated by Antonio Brown’s “immaculate extension” game-winning touchdown grab in the final seconds to seal the AFC North title. They have also met five times in the playoffs, including indelibly in the 2009 AFC championship game at Pittsburgh, where the Steelers emerged from the gritty, physical, defensive struggle the victors, 23-14. The Steelers also came out on top in divisional round games in Pittsburgh in 2002 and 2011, while the Ravens won wild-card matchups in 2015 at then-named Heinz Field and last season in Baltimore. But for all the drama and history between the two bitter adversaries, they have never met in the final week of the regular season in a win-or-go-home contest for the division crown until now. “I didn’t realize that,” said Ravens coach John Harbaugh, who along with counterpart Mike Tomlin are the NFL’s two longest-tenured active coaches. “That’s something.” It’s also not the only (potential) first. Should the Ravens win Sunday night in Pittsburgh, it will not only be a remarkable turnaround from a 1-5 start and the precipice of disaster that sends them to the playoffs, it will clinch their third straight AFC North title. No other team has ever won the division three consecutive years, something Harbaugh was surprised by, though only momentarily. “It was a surprise, but then not a surprise when I thought about it for about five seconds, because it’s so darn competitive,” he said. “I’m assuming it’s the only division that’s the case. I’ll bet it is, if we were allowed to bet.” If he was, he would have cashed in. “It’s something to think about,” Harbaugh continued. “It’s a big deal, but it’s a game. It’s like any big game; there’s a lot riding on it, and there’s a lot to earn, but you have to go play a winning football game. You have to go play the type of game that can beat a really good football team in their stadium when the stakes are really high, and I know they feel the same way, but it’s our responsibility to take care of us, take care of our business, play our game the way we play it and to execute it the way we need to execute to get the job done. “Keep it simple. Go play hard. Go play well. Go play good football. Our goal will be to play our best game of the season, and that’s what we’ll be really focused on. That’s what we have to get ready for.” If history is any indication, that includes being prepared for a close game. Of their past 14 meetings dating to the beginning of 2019 and Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson’s first full year as the starter, Baltimore has averaged 19.5 points and Pittsburgh 18.3 in the showdowns. All but three have been decided by seven points or less. Related Articles Watch Episode 18 of the BMore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law Steelers could have T.J. Watt back for ‘AFC North championship’ showdown against Ravens Former Ravens Terrell Suggs, Marshal Yanda among 15 finalists for Pro Football Hall of Fame Is Ravens’ John Harbaugh coaching for job against Steelers’ Mike Tomlin? Ravens coach John Harbaugh describes Browns-Steelers watch party: ‘Raucous’ That included earlier this month, when Aaron Rodgers threw for 284 yards and a touchdown, receiver D.K. Metcalf had seven catches for 148 yards and Pittsburgh was held to a paltry 34 rushing yards but jumped out to a 17-3 second quarter lead and held on for a 27-22 victory at M&T Bank Stadium. Like many of their run-ins of yore, it also had plenty of theatrics if not controversy. Trailing by five with just over three minutes remaining, Jackson drove Baltimore to Pittsburgh’s 13-yard line before hitting Isaiah Likely over the middle for what appeared to be a go-ahead touchdown. But replay overturned the call, with the tight end ruled as not having completed the catch as the ball was ripped from his grasp after he’d taken two steps with control. Then Jackson, who was also intercepted earlier in the game on a pass that fluttered well short of running back Rasheen Ali and eventually led to a Steelers touchdown, was sacked at Pittsburgh’s 38 on the game’s final play. Afterward, the quarterback said his frustration was “through the roof” over what was a second straight division loss after a Thanksgiving night debacle in which Baltimore had five turnovers at home against the Cincinnati Bengals. “We have to finish and find a way to put some points on the board,” Jackson said. “At this point of the season, we have to just keep fighting.” Now comes one, last chance to do so to try to prevent the season from slipping away entirely, along with a new chapter in an old rivalry, one that the 62-year old Harbaugh, a proud historian of the game, is aware of but not thinking about. “I probably would’ve thought it might’ve been another time it would’ve come up,” he said of the two teams’ first meeting in the final week of the season with this much at stake. “But that’s about as much head space as I can give it. So, other than that, it’s a division championship game for sure, but it’s a game. It’s in Pittsburgh against the Steelers. We kind of understand that part of it, too.” That it’s at night, on national television to close out the regular season? A cherry on top. “I think it’s really cool,” Harbaugh said. “It’s what you want. “The game could have been at 4 o’clock. It could have been 1 o’clock. It could have been Saturday [or] Saturday night. That would have been fine. I wouldn’t have really cared, so the fact that it’s Sunday night just means we have to wait longer. That’s kind of my mindset. We have to wait that much longer to go play, so we have to set our clock accordingly and be ready at 8:20 on Sunday night. But … I think when you take a step back, especially as a Ravens fan or in the organization, you have to take a step back, and you have to nod your head a little bit and go, ‘Yes, that’s probably the way it should be.’” Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. Even Ravens coach John Harbaugh was willing to admit Monday that playing the Steelers in prime time with a playoff spot on the line is "cool." (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) View the full article

Episode 18 of the BMore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law is here. Preston and Coleman break down a critical Ravens win over the Packers and their chances Sunday against the Steelers in what is essentially an AFC North title game. The duo also discusses Preston’s recent column about Lamar Jackson’s future in Baltimore. You can watch the podcast weekly, posting every Tuesday during the NFL season on YouTube and The Baltimore Sun, and listen on Spotify, Apple, Amazon and iHeart. Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. View the full article

By WILL GRAVES PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers could have outside linebacker T.J. Watt back for their “win or go home” showdown with Baltimore for the AFC North title on Sunday night. Coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday he’s “more optimistic” than he has been that the perennial Pro Bowl edge rusher will be available after sitting out each of the past three games while recovering from surgery to repair a partially collapsed lung sustained following a dry needling treatment. Tomlin added he’d like to see Watt practice fully at some point this week. Watt was a limited participant last week before being held out of Sunday’s 13-6 loss to Cleveland, a setback that cost the Steelers (9-7) a chance to wrap up the division with a week to go. Now, Pittsburgh either needs to win or tie the Ravens (8-8) on Sunday night to win the AFC North for the first time since 2020. Tomlin doesn’t think Watt’s extended downtime will have a significant impact on the 31-year-old Watt’s stamina, should he be cleared to play. “I doubt that TJ is ever out of football shape or conditioning over the course of a 12-month calendar,” Tomlin said. “I just know how he lives his life and how he prepares and how thoughtful he is in terms of what he puts in his body and how we trains.” While Watt’s familiar No. 90 could return, massive tight end Darnell Washington is out indefinitely after having surgery on Monday for a broken arm suffered in the first half against the Browns. Tomlin did not rule out Washington’s potential availability should Pittsburgh advance to the playoffs, though the Steelers would likely need to make a deep run to have any chance of seeing the uniquely talented 6-foot-7, 300-plus-pound Washington in the huddle. Wide receiver Calvin Austin III (hamstring), veteran left guard Isaac Seumalo (triceps), cornerback Brandon Echols (groin) and cornerback James Pierre (calf) — all of whom sat out last week — could return against the Ravens. The Steelers will need as many healthy bodies available as possible, particularly on offense, to avoid a stunning late collapse. Pittsburgh sputtered in Cleveland without suspended wide receiver DK Metcalf, who will also sit out this week as punishment for making contact with a fan in Detroit earlier this month. Pittsburgh managed just 160 net yards passing against the Browns, a big chunk of it coming on a last-second drive that ended with Aaron Rodgers throwing incomplete in the end zone to wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling on three consecutive plays. Rodgers had perhaps his best game of the season in Pittsburgh’s road win at Baltimore on Dec. 7, thanks in large part to a seven-catch, 148-yard performance from Metcalf. Downfield shots were nowhere to be found on a blustery day in Cleveland, where Rodgers’ longest completion was a 29-yarder to tight end Pat Freiermuth. While Tomlin allowed both teams will add a “wrinkle” or two in the rematch, the reality is scheme is unlikely to play a significant role in a series that has produced its fair share of memorable high-stakes meetings through the years. The stakes should keep the Steelers from having a hangover after letting the lowly Browns jump to an early 10-point lead before holding on. Asked if it was frustrating to lose to a team that came in with just three wins on the season with so much on the line, Tomlin shrugged. “Man, there’s a lot of things that you could get frustrated about in our business,” he said. “I’ve learned to kind of always move forward. My windshield is much bigger than my rearview.” Maybe, but there’s a chance the game could also be the 264th and final regular-season game of quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ Hall of Fame-caliber career. The 42-year-old four-time MVP said over the summer that his 21st season could be his last, though he also said last week he feels as if he’s aging backward and has been relatively healthy save for a broken left wrist that forced him to sit out a loss to Chicago in late November. Rodgers said on Sunday that he expects Pittsburgh to recover and beat the Ravens. That inherent confidence is one of the reasons the Steelers spent months courting him in free agency last spring. “That’s one of the things that made him really attractive to us, that ‘can do’ attitude and the experience and resume that goes with it,” Tomlin said. “I don’t think it’s work for him. I think it is as natural as breathing. And so if he’s breathing, I expect to see that from him as we lean in on this game.” ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL View the full article

Former Ravens greats Terrell Suggs and Marshal Yanda are among the 15 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026. It marks the second straight year each has reached the doorstep of immortality and is within reach of a coveted gold jacket and bust in Canton, Ohio. Whether one or both are selected for enshrinement remains to be seen, though each has a solid case and chance. The other finalists are offensive tackle Willie Anderson, quarterback Drew Brees, guard Jahri Evans, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, running back Frank Gore, receiver Torry Holt, linebacker Luke Kuechly, quarterback Eli Manning, kicker Adam Vinatieri, receiver Reggie Wayne, defensive tackle Kevin Williams, tight end Jason Witten and safety Darren Woodson. Up to five players can be chosen, and each must receive 80% of the vote. As for Suggs and Yanda, their resumes stack up well. Suggs, drafted 10th overall out of Arizona State in 2003, was an All-Pro and the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2011 and was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection in his 17-year career. His 139 sacks rank eighth all-time, just behind Jason Taylor and just ahead of DeMarcus Ware, both of whom are in the Hall of Fame. Yanda, a third-round pick out of Iowa in 2007, was a two-time All-Pro and eight-time Pro Bowl selection. He was part of the 2010s NFL All-Decade Team. Both players were integral members of the Ravens’ Super Bowl 47 championship team, while Suggs also won a title with the Kansas City Chiefs in the final year of his career. The Class of 2026 will be announced at “NFL Honors” in San Francisco in February and enshrined in August. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. Related Articles Is Ravens’ John Harbaugh coaching for job against Steelers’ Mike Tomlin? Ravens coach John Harbaugh describes Browns-Steelers watch party: ‘Raucous’ Josh Tolentino: Start Huntley? Jackson must finish Ravens’ season. | COMMENTARY Ravens QB Lamar Jackson’s availability for Steelers showdown is uncertain Panthers-Buccaneers matchup on Saturday isn’t quite winner-take-all View the full article

Mike Tomlin and John Harbaugh are currently the two longest-tenured coaches in the NFL, with 19 and 18 hardened and mostly successful years between them. Yet, as the two men and their respective teams, the Steelers and Ravens, head toward a collision course Sunday night in Pittsburgh, the win-or-go-home nature of the affair could extend beyond who gets into the playoffs and who doesn’t. Already, questions about the future of each have percolated amid what has been disillusioning seasons for both clubs. Last week, following a loss to the New England Patriots in which Baltimore blew an 11-point fourth quarter lead and questions were raised about running back Derrick Henry’s lack of usage down the stretch, Harbaugh was asked if he expects to be back next season. He said only that coaching is a “day-to-day job” and anything beyond that he isn’t thinking about. Fast forward another week and despite a victory over the Green Bay Packers to keep the Ravens’ postseason prayers alive, part of the discourse on television and across social media again is centered around Harbaugh’s future. It’s only exacerbated with this week’s showdown against Tomlin and the Steelers, who could have clinched their first AFC North title since 2020 and eliminated Baltimore in one fell swoop with a win over the Browns in Cleveland on Sunday but instead failed to find the end zone and fell 13-6. As far as Harbaugh is concerned, though, he’s understandably not thinking about the future, at least beyond the Steelers game. “I just don’t really have the space for that,” he said Monday when asked if the game was a referendum on either. “It’s just not something that you have the ability to think about. It’s not important. If it was important and it had an impact and a bearing I think you’d think about it.” There are indeed more pressing issues at hand. Though the Ravens rallied from two games behind the Steelers with four to play last season to win the division and then knocked Pittsburgh out of the playoffs with a wild-card win at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore has dropped four of its past five trips to the Steel City. Perhaps just as concerning is the status of quarterback Lamar Jackson, who suffered a back contusion against the Patriots and hasn’t practiced since. Harbaugh said that Jackson’s availability for Sunday night is still to be determined and that he would know more on Wednesday. The Ravens are also just 1-3 in Pittsburgh in games which Jackson has started with their lone win there during that span coming in 2019. Still, questions over whether a fresh voice is needed in each city are like objects in a rear view mirror — closer than they appear — and are likely to move to the fore within minutes of the final whistle on Sunday. Take the Steelers’ embarrassing 26-7 loss at home to the Buffalo Bills late last month in which the offense sputtered after Pittsburgh had staked a 7-0 halftime lead before getting bulldozed in the final 30 minutes. During the fourth quarter, fans broke into a “Fire Tomlin!” chant. Unsurprisingly, Tomlin had a similar refrain as Harbaugh. “Man, I’ve been in the hot seat for 19 years,” he told reporters during his usual weekly news conference two days later. “I always feel like I got something to prove. Not necessarily to anyone in particular, but that’s just the spirit in which I go about what I do professionally.” On paper, both Harbaugh and Tomlin have fared quite well professionally. Related Articles Ravens coach John Harbaugh describes Browns-Steelers watch party: ‘Raucous’ Josh Tolentino: Start Huntley? Jackson must finish Ravens’ season. | COMMENTARY Ravens QB Lamar Jackson’s availability for Steelers showdown is uncertain Panthers-Buccaneers matchup on Saturday isn’t quite winner-take-all Mike Preston: The Ravens have life. Thank the mediocre NFL. | COMMENTARY The former has a career record of 180–112, fourth-best among active coaches, with 13 playoff wins, four AFC title game appearances and a Super Bowl title in 2013. The latter has never had a losing season and is 192-114-2 to rank second all-time among current coaches. He’s also won eight playoff games, guided Pittsburgh to three AFC title games and two Super Bowls, including winning the title in 2009. The stains on their resumes have grown in recent years, though. The Ravens have just one AFC title game appearance during Jackson’s tenure, despite two NFL Most Valuable Player Awards for the quarterback. They have also regressed each of the past two seasons, getting knocked out in the divisional round of last year’s playoffs and being on the brink of missing them entirely this year in what has been a tumultuous season filled with angst and injury. The Steelers, meanwhile, haven’t won a playoff game since 2016 and are a woeful 3-10 in the postseason since getting to the Super Bowl in 2011. They blew last year’s division title and could be on the verge of doing the same again this year. But Harbaugh isn’t thinking about any of that. “It’s sports. That’s how sports are and I think that’s part of the intrigue of it all,” he said. “I feel really honored to be a part of that.” Like Tomlin, he added that there is always pressure, and reiterated tennis legend Billie Jean King’s famous line about pressure being a privilege, something he will embrace Sunday night in Pittsburgh, where his job could in some ways be on the line along with Tomlin’s. “That’s something that is earned,” Harbaugh said. “We feel like it’s something very worthwhile to be in games like this. “If those are the things that are being talked about along with that, that’s OK. That’s a privilege too. So, let’s get to work and let’s go try to play our best game, coach our best game.” Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. Ravens coach John Harbaugh shakes hands with Steelers coach Mike Tomlin following a narrow Steelers win earlier this season. The winner of Sunday's game between the teams will make the playoffs, while the loser's season will end. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) View the full article