The Baltimore Ravens may not have anything to play for Sunday besides a league-best 14th win. But the visiting rival Pittsburgh Steelers are in the opposite situation with their playoff hopes on the line, and Ravens coach John Harbaugh — a competitive man himself — knows it.
“We’re going to do everything we can to play our best football game and win the game. That’s what we’re going out there to do,” Harbuagh said. “We know who we’re playing. We know what kind of game it will be, and we’re going out there and play our kind of football game.”
But Baltimore won’t put Lamar Jackson on the field Sunday with the playoffs on the horizon, and the Steelers moved quarterback Mason Rudolph to injured reserve with a left shoulder injury, so the Week 17 tilt will pit Robert Griffin III against Devlin Hodges — not a dream quarterback matchup for primetime. Nevertheless, it was one of several games the league flexed to the late afternoon slate because of what’s on the line for Pittsburgh in the AFC playoff picture.
When the Steelers lost to the Jets a week ago, their path to the playoffs got just a bit tougher. The Titans control their own destiny for the No. 6 seed, just needing a win to clinch it. But if they lose and Pittsburgh wins Sunday, it’ll be the Steelers in the final wild card spot.
Jackson may be the star of the show, but he isn’t the only player who’s carried the Ravens to the top of the standings this year. While the team lacks top-end talent at wide receiver, three of Jackson’s top five pass-catchers are tight ends Mark Andrews, Hayden Hurst and Nick Boyle.
Andrews, who leads the team with 852 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, broke out for six catches, 93 yards and two scores against the Browns last week.
On Monday, Harbaugh praised Andrews and relayed an anecdote about the Ravens drafting him in the third round in 2018 — two rounds after fellow tight end Hurst.
“When we first did the evaluation on Mark Andrews, these guys get kind of slotted where they’re at and stuff. In truth, I think hindsight would say that he was undervalued by the NFL world of evaluation, and by the fact that he went in the third round … When we first did it, he was our top tight end in the ratings, and Hayden was right there and then the kid that’s up in Philly (Dallas Goedert) was right there too, off the top of my head.
“Mark was my top guy and a number of the scouts’ top guy and sprinkled around that top four. You watch him on tape, he always got open, he always made catches. He’s got a knack.”
Ingram says he’ll be ready for playoffs
In addition to Jackson, the Ravens also will rest guard Marshal Yanda, safety Earl Thomas and defensive tackle Brandon Williams on Sunday. Running back Mark Ingram, who suffered a calf strain in Week 16, won’t play either.
Ingram told reporters Thursday that he believes he’ll be ready to go for postseason.
“I’m smooth, I’m good,” Ingram said Thursday. “I got some time. So, I will be ready for the first playoff game.”
The Ravens’ first playoff game will be played either Jan. 11 or Jan. 12 at M&T Bank Stadium. They locked up the No. 1 seed in the AFC with a win last week, their 11th win in a row.
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.
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