The Baltimore Ravens have an interesting question to answer in the final week of the season. If they have their playoff seeding already figured out, do they rest their starters against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 17 or play postseason matchmaker by going all-in?
According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the Ravens could sit at least quarterback Lamar Jackson and start Robert Griffin III against the Steelers in that case.
That could be seen as a controversial decision since Pittsburgh could very well be fighting for their postseason lives in Week 17. While Baltimore beat the Steelers back in Week 5 to start their now nine-game winning streak, it took overtime to get the job done. The Steelers have been surging since that point themselves and could be quite the dangerous foe to allow into the playoffs.
On the other hand, there wouldn’t be much reason for Baltimore to put their key players in harm’s way unnecessarily either. The Ravens could potentially lock up the No. 1 seed this week and while the notion of kicking the Steelers from the postseason sounds great, it would be foolish for it to potentially come at the loss of an impact player as Baltimore eyes Super Bowl LIV.
Instead, the Ravens could use that time to rest key players in order to get as healthy as possible for the playoffs. If they have the first or second seed already by Week 17, they’ll be guaranteed a first-round bye. Meaning sitting players like Jackson would effectively give them two weeks of rest before taking on the winner of the wild card round. That extra rest could very well be the difference in Baltimore making Super Bowl LIV or not.
It’s a tough call for the Ravens’ coaching staff and one that will be criticized heavily if it doesn’t pan out while universally beloved if they make it to the Super Bowl. But sitting at 11-2 entering Week 15 and currently the best team in the league, it’s best to trust what coach John Harbaugh and his staff choose to do.