The Ravens practiced indoors on Friday because it was snowing.

It was just another reminder that it's getting late in the NFL season. Baltimore and the Pittsburgh Steelers are both 6-6, headed for a showdown Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium.

The winner of this rivalry game will move one step closer to capturing the AFC North and clinching a playoff spot. The loser will move closer to being left out in the cold, with only one team from the division likely to make the playoffs.

"Do we like our record? No," Pro Bowl cornerback Marlon Humphrey said. "But, do we have everything in front of us? Yes. So, I think it's time to show it."

I agree. If the Ravens are going to move from 6-6 to a legitimate Super Bowl contender, their sprint to the finish needs to begin against Pittsburgh.

Here are my thoughts before a pivotal Baltimore-Pittsburgh game, all in 50 words or less:

• Zay Flowers missed last season's playoff game against the Steelers but had five catches for 100 yards against them last December. Flowers is a tough cover for Joey Porter Jr. or any Pittsburgh cornerback. I'm thinking Flowers will get plenty of targets on Sunday.

• Lamar Jackson being a full participant in Friday’s practice was the news Baltimore was looking for. However, Jackson has battled various injuries and the Ravens will need other playmakers to step up. Flowers, Derrick Henry, and Mark Andrews are three players I expect to play prominent roles.

• Henry needs 69 yards rushing to reach 1,000 for the seventh time in his career. He had 186 yards and two touchdowns in Baltimore's playoff win over the Steelers last season. The Ravens may ride Henry.

• This game will test Baltimore's pass protection, because the Steelers are going to come after Jackson. He's been sacked nine times in the last three games, and Pittsburgh is tied for seventh in the NFL in sacks (34). It will be critical for Baltimore to avoid obvious passing situations.

• The Ravens haven't reached 30 points in five straight games. However, I don't think they'll need 30 to win. Most Ravens-Steelers contests are low-scoring and close. In seven of the last 10 meetings, neither team has reached 20 points. It wouldn't surprise me to see that happen again.

• It may come down to a game-winning field goal and Pittsburgh has a superb kicker in Chris Boswell. However, rookie Tyler Loop is having an excellent season for the Ravens, and a game-winner against the Steelers would be a great way for him to join this rivalry.

• Switching to defense, I love the way tackle Travis Jones is playing. If Jones is wreaking havoc up front, the Steelers are going to have a tough time running the football effectively, making it tougher for them to win.

• The Ravens will improve their chances greatly if they generate a consistent pass rush against Aaron Rodgers. The 42-year-old quarterback wants to avoid getting hit, especially with a fractured wrist. The Ravens want to make him uncomfortable in the pocket.

• Expect Kyle Hamilton to contribute to putting pressure on Rodgers. Hamilton is an excellent blitzer who has a sack and four quarterback hits this season. An unblocked Hamilton approaching at full speed is something Rodgers doesn't want to deal with.

• It's hard to overstate how important it will be for the Ravens to avoid turnovers. The Ravens are 5-0 when they don't commit a turnover and 1-6 when they do. The Steelers are second in the NFL in takeaways. The turnover battle could easily determine the winner.

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