ExtremeRavens Posted January 1 Share Posted January 1 The Ravens have clinched the AFC’s No. 1 seed and the first-round bye that comes with it. But one thing they haven’t done this season is beat their archnemesis, the Steelers. Baltimore (13-3) hosts Pittsburgh (9-7) in the regular-season finale, and the NFL announced Sunday night that the game will be played at 4:30 p.m. Saturday and broadcast on ABC and ESPN. The league had not announced kickoff times for any of the scheduled games in Week 18 as it waited to see which matchups would have playoff implications and be played in prime time. Saturday’s game won’t have any implications for the Ravens, who won’t play a postseason game until the third weekend in January after dismantling the Dolphins, 56-19, to earn the coveted week off in the wild-card round. The Steelers, however, have plenty to play for as they can still clinch a playoff berth with a win in Baltimore — and some help. The Steelers beat the Seattle Seahawks, 30-23, on Sunday for their second straight win after a three-game losing streak to keep their playoff hopes alive. The New York Times’ playoff simulator gives them a 28% chance at making the postseason, but it jumps to 72% if they beat the Ravens in Week 18. Pittsburgh can’t do it alone, however. Its most likely way into the postseason is to beat the Ravens and have the Buffalo Bills (10-6) lose to the Miami Dolphins (11-5), a game that will decide the AFC East, or have the Jacksonville Jaguars (9-7) lose to the Tennessee Titans (5-11). Here are all their playoff-clinching scenarios: Steelers beat Ravens; Colts tie Texans Steelers beat Ravens; Bills lose to Dolphins Steelers beat Ravens; Jaguars lose to or tie Titans Steelers tie Ravens; Colts and Texans do not tie; Jaguars lose to Titans Steelers lose to Ravens; Colts and Texans do not tie; Raiders lose to Broncos; Jaguars lose to Titans The Steelers opened as 3 1/2-point favorites as the Ravens are likely to rest several starters in preparation for the playoffs, though coach John Harbaugh said after Sunday’s win that he hasn’t decided if quarterback Lamar Jackson, or any other top players, will suit up in Week 18. But considering the Ravens fell to the Steelers on Oct. 8 in their worst performance of the season, Harbaugh and the Ravens might have incentive to keep their rival out of the playoffs. Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson congratulates Charlie Kolar on the sidelines after he scored in the 4th quarter. The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Miami Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium.(Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens Patrick Ricard and quarterback Lamar Jackson celebrate a 4th quarter touchdown as the Baltimore Ravens defeat the Miami Dolphins 56-19 on New Yearxe2x80x99s Eve at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravensxe2x80x99 Patrick Ricard, right, catches a 4-yards touchdown pass against the Dolphins in the fourth quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens Patrick Ricard takes a selfie with fans following the Baltimore Ravens 56-19 win over the Miami Dolphins on New Yearxe2x80x99s Eve at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Ravens fan Keon Fisher holds up a stadium edition of the Baltimore Sun following the Baltimore Ravens 56-19 win over the Miami Dolphins on New Yearxe2x80x99s Eve at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Ravens defenders celebrate in the end zone following an interception by Ravens Geno Stone in the 3rd quarter. The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Miami Dolphins 56-19 on at M&T Bank Stadium.(Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers scores a 75-yards touchdown against the Dolphins in the second quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers scores a 75-yards touchdown in front of Dolphinsxe2x80x99 DeShon Elliott in the second quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Ravensxe2x80x99 Ronald Darby, left, upends Dolphinsxe2x80x99 Jeff Wilson after a catch in the second quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Ravensxe2x80x99 Patrick Queen, top, wrestles the ball away from Dolphinsxe2x80x99 Jeff Wilson for an incomplete pass in the second quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., #3, hauls down a pass just yards from the end zone as Miami Dolphins cornerback Kader Kohou defends during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Roquan Smith returns an interception past Miami Dolphins running back Jeff Wilson Jr., #23, and wide receiver Braxton Berrios during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers, #4, cuts behind a stumbling Miami Dolphins cornerback Eli Apple to score a touchdown during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers reacts after a touchdown reception against the Miami Dolphins during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., #3, hauls down a pass just yards from the end zone as Miami Dolphins cornerback Kader Kohou defends during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)Baltimore Ravens Isaiah Likely dives into the end zone dragging Miami Dolphins DeShon Elliott for a touchdown in the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)The Baltimore Ravens wide receiver ..Rashod Bateman dives for a pass but was unable to make a catch in the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Ravens running back Justice Hill catches a touchdown pass in the first quarter Sunday against the Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravensxe2x80x99 Trenton Simpson, right, runs back a Dolphins fumble in the fourth quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Ravensxe2x80x99 Trenton Simpson picks up a Dolphins fumble in the fourth quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Ravens Melvin Gordon III, top, dives into the end zone over Dolphinsxe2x80x99 DeShon Elliott for a touchdown n the fourth quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, left, runs against Dolphinsxe2x80x99 David Long, right, in the fourth quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens Odafe Oweh sacks Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Ravensxe2x80x99 Justice Hill runs for 41-yards against the Dolphins in the fourth quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens Melvin Gordon III runs for a gain in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens Melvin Gordon III pushes through for a gain in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens Melvin Gordon III pushes through for a gain in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Ravensxe2x80x99 Justice Hill, left, catches and runs for 23-yards against Dolphinsxe2x80x99 Duke Riley in the third quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens Melvin Gordon III pushes through for a gain in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa slides into a bunch of Ravens in the 4th quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa slides into a bunch of Ravens in the 4th quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Dolphinsxe2x80x99 Zach Sieler, top, strips the ball from Ravens running back Gus Edwards for a fumble in the third quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker adds the point after try to the board as outside linebacker Tavius Robinson and Miami Dolphins defensive back Elijah Campbell watch during the fourth quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)Baltimore Ravens running back Gus Edwards looks for a hole as he picks up yardage in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Ravensxe2x80x99 Justin Madubuike , top, sacks Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in the third quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens Odafe Oweh, left, and Justin Madubuike celebrate after sacking Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers, left, catches a 25-yards pass for a first down against Dolphinsxe2x80x99 DeShon Elliott in the first quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens nose tackle Michael Pierce drags down Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa who throws the ball away to avoid being sacked during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)Baltimore Ravens Justice Hill breaks free for a 41-yard run in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman catches a deep pass from Lamar Jackson before dropping the ball against the ground in the first quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens cornerback Ronald Darby upends Miami Dolphins running back Jeff Wilson Jr. during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)Baltimore Ravens nose tackle Michael Pierce reacts after stopping Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane (28) during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Dolphins during the second quarter Sunday. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Roquan Smith ruturns an interception between Miami Dolphins running back Jeff Wilson Jr. (23) and wide receiver Braxton Berrios during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)Show Caption of Expand View the full article Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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