What is your prediction for the game?
This is a tough one because we don’t know how many starters will be sitting out this game or how limited their snap counts will be. That, of course, will have a major impact on how this game plays out. Regardless, I’m fully expecting the offense to struggle in ways we haven’t seen this season thanks to Jackson, guard Marshal Yanda and running back Mark Ingram all resting. The defense will also be hampered with the benching of safety Earl Thomas and defensive tackle Brandon Williams. But, at the same time, the Steelers are pretty beat up and missing key contributors like running back James Conner. The switching back and forth between quarterbacks Devlin Hodges and Mason Rudolph also doesn’t help Pittsburgh get into much of a flow either. So it almost seems like whichever team can hit on a big play or two and can not shoot themselves in the foot is going to win.
While I certainly hope the Ravens can get the job done, I’m expecting much of the starting roster will be either out completely or limited in how much they play. That’s a recipe for sloppy play and mistakes, and when combined with the Steelers absolutely needing a win to stay alive in the playoff hunt while this game means nothing to Baltimore, it seems like a perfect setup for a loss. It’s all for a greater good, which should help Ravens fans swallow this bitter pill.
Steelers 17 – Ravens 16