Sport of the week
Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4) v Baltimore Ravens (9-5)
The battle for the AFC North nears its climax with two bitter rivals gutting it out for hallowed home-field benefit within the playoffs. If the Pittsburgh Steelers proceed their scorching streak and earn a fifth successive win in Baltimore then the division is theirs whereas the Ravens can clinch a playoff spot with victory and see a path to the highest of the category if Mike Tomlin’s staff fall to the Chiefs or Bengals to shut out the season.
Each groups will really feel they’ve an edge on the opposite because the Ravens have flattered to deceive at occasions (see: defeats to Raiders and Browns), whereas the Steelers have struggled to maneuver the ball with out George Pickens. John Harbaugh’s staff boasts a complete offense that rivals Buffalo and Detroit in effectivity and explosiveness. The unimaginable tandem of quarterback Lamar Jackson and operating again Derrick Henry can tie even the very best protection in knots on their day. However will the celebrities align? Pittsburgh’s brutal move rush will nonetheless be assured they’ll deliver out the unhealthy in Baltimore.
What the Steelers must do to win: Pickens wants to return again into the lineup. The star receiver continues to be but to return to follow although so the Steelers must lean on the operating recreation, whereas nonetheless not shedding religion in Wilson’s deep passing menace, in his sizable absence. Final week’s field rating prompt Wilson significantly struggled however his receivers have been locked up in tight protection all day by a passing protection that provides up 227 yards/recreation, the second fewest within the NFL. In the meantime the Ravens cough up the second most at 323. The offensive scheme wants to make use of Wilson’s deep menace however discover steadiness to use that weak spot when it counts.
Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has to discover a technique to get the operating recreation going whereas additionally together with Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren within the passing assault. Towards the Bengals they mixed for 10 catches and over 100 yards, however towards the Eagles that they had a catch every for a complete of 10 yards. Essentially the most essential upshot of discovering success with the run will likely be chewing the clock. The protection began scorching towards Philadelphia however regarded utterly gassed on the gun as they have been despatched out repeatedly. TJ Watt particularly will want relaxation to deal with Jackson and Henry as he manages an ankle damage.
What the Ravens must do to win: The Ravens want to wash their act up and take a dispassionate method to show round their rotten kind towards the Steelers. With just one win of their previous 9 conferences, Baltimore have to remain centered to keep away from game-killing turnovers and penalties that have been the distinction when overwhelmed by Pittsburgh in November. Harbaugh’s staff dedicated 12 penalties, turned the ball over 3 times and missed two area targets whereas Jackson had three balls batted on the line of scrimmage and was sacked twice.
If and when the errors are tidied away, Jackson – 1-4 towards Pittsburgh – wants to unravel Mike Tomlin’s protection. One path to doing so will likely be utilizing operating again Justice Hill’s pace and elegant route operating out of the backfield so the extra predictable targets to Mark Andrews can be utilized extra successfully in bits and items for chunk performs and touchdowns. Mixing in tight finish Isaiah Doubtless within the slot or out extensive has the potential to assist break Pittsburgh’s will too. The ultimate piece of the puzzle needs to be copying Philadelphia’s success by dominating time of possession. They solely managed 24 minutes to Pittsburgh’s 36 in Week 11.
Rising in playoff race: Philadelphia Eagles
Suggesting a 12-2 staff on a 10-game profitable streak are on the rise feels a bit of late … but the Eagles clicked right into a a lot larger offensive gear of their dominant win over Pittsburgh final week, particularly within the passing recreation, than had beforehand been seen. A frightening improve that may have the remainder of the league a contact shaken after QB Jalen Hurts hit his finest receiver AJ Brown for double-digit targets for the primary recreation since Week 1 whereas giving the second-in-command Devonta Smith double-digit receptions for the primary time this season. They even completed with eerily related numbers of a landing every with Brown going for 110 yards and Smith 109.
The No 1 seed just isn’t but theirs to lose although however they’re hovering with intent, as holes proceed to proliferate Detroit’s roster whereas the Minnesota Vikings additionally problem at 12-2. The Lions although face the Vikings within the ultimate week of the season after Minnesota face the Inexperienced Bay Packers in week 17. The Eagles can put critical strain on their rivals for the first-round bye with a win over Washington on Sunday. A sweep of the Commanders would get shut to making sure an unimaginable 15-2 end contemplating their cake-walk towards the Cowboys and Giants to finish the season.
Falling in playoff race: Seattle Seahawks
Seattle will likely be relieved as Geno Smith will begin towards the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. They actually want him. After Smith exited final week’s thrashing from the Packers with a knee damage, Sam Howell entered, form of, recording a median of 1.71 yards from 14 passing makes an attempt. Even with the starter the omens look iffy after the Seahawks lastly with their future in their very own fingers, rapidly handed it off to the surging Los Angeles Rams. They’re degree with their NFC West mates on 8-6 although have the weaker convention file and will slip again a recreation if the Rams deal with the New York Jets.
The Vikings feels very very like a show it recreation for Mike Macdonald’s staff and an assumption of defeat is untimely after racking up 4 wins in succession this month. The query is who’re Seattle actually: the sturdy defensive operation from December that may put the squeeze on Sam Darnold or the pushovers that went 1-5 in midseason?
Race for No 1 draft decide
Contained in the raging tire hearth of NFL ineptitude there’s a bowl recreation of types on Sunday. The three-11 Jaguars meet the 2-10 Raiders in an encounter that would have dramatic ramifications for the 2025 draft order. A defeat for Las Vegas retains them in pole place for the highest rookie quarterback – Shadeur Sanders? – to show the ailing pirate ship round whereas a loss for the Jaguars would preserve them within the race to signal finest the non-QB, on this case Heisman Trophy-winning cornerback Travis Hunter from decide three. The order because it stands has them at No 1 and 4 respectively however the eventualities are so open that the Raiders may find yourself selecting as excessive as 10 with a win adopted by two extra to shut out a dismal yr sturdy. Stranger issues have occurred.
