The Ravens haven't been easy to figure out this season.
Sunday night will bring clarity.
Another Ravens-Steelers showdown will end the NFL regular season, and the Ravens will either be a playoff team or packing for the offseason.
Moving on or moving out. That's clarity.
The Ravens (8-8) have been wildly unpredictable since Week 1, and it's fitting they have the same number of wins and losses. In their last four games, the Ravens lost twice at home, but they also blanked the Cincinnati Bengals and manhandled the Green Bay Packers on the road.
The entire season has been a difficult journey, one with many twists and turns. However, after starting 1-5, the Ravens never gave up.
Now they are one victory from winning the AFC North for the third straight year and starting the playoffs at home. No matter the outcome, All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton said the next chapter of the Ravens-Steelers rivalry should be epic.
"I told the whole defense earlier – these are games that live in infamy," Hamilton said. "You see the clips all the time of every Ray Lewis, [Troy] Polamalu, 'Big Ben' [Ben Roethlisberger], whoever it may be, and this is going to be one of those games. So, we need to make sure we're on the right side of history."
Here are my thoughts as the Ravens prepare for a do-or-die game, all in 50 words or less:
- Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry seemed in great spirits this week. Jackson has returned from his back injury. Henry is coming off a monster game. Jackson's presence was a major reason why Henry signed with Baltimore. They're acting like two great players who aren't ready to go home.
- Jackson had a full week of practice for the first time since early November. The Ravens will need a crisp performance from him, with the Steelers likely to load the box often. Practice matters, and Jackson having quality reps this week could pay off big.
- Henry running wild against the Steelers is not a given. They've only surrendered 176 yards rushing combined in their last three games, and first-round defensive tackle Derrick Harmon has star potential. The Ravens must win up front for Henry to flourish.
- Henry said he didn't like it when Pittsburgh held him to 94 yards on 25 carries last month. Henry will be running angry, which is good for Baltimore. He has 100+ yards rushing in three straight games. When he's rolling like that, the Ravens are tough to beat.
- Don't sleep on Keaton Mitchell making a big play or two. This is going to be a slugfest game, but Mitchell's speed is a not-so-secret weapon. He had a 55-yard run against Pittsburgh last month and will be looking to pop another big one.
- Steelers star T.J. Watt said he expects to play on Sunday. Big-time players live for these moments. Even if Watt's on a pitch count, he'll be looking to make one play to wreck Baltimore's season. The Ravens can't let that happen.
- The Ravens and Steelers are tied for 29th in pass defense. However, Pittsburgh's pass rush (45 sacks) has been far more productive than Baltimore's (28 sacks). Rodgers wasn't sacked against Baltimore in Week 14. The Ravens want to make Rodgers far more uncomfortable this time.
- DK Metcalf's suspension is a huge break for Baltimore. He had his best game this season against the Ravens (seven catches, 148 yards), who have given up too many deep balls. No Metcalf means no excuses for Baltimore's secondary, which needs a solid game.
- Sunday's outcome will be hugely disappointing for the loser. The Ravens still have Super Bowl aspirations. The Steelers brought in Metcalf, Rodgers, Jalen Ramsey, and other vets to make a championship run. Both teams are all-in, and one is about to go out.
- Winning five straight games on the road is never easy and the Ravens have done it. There's no quit in them. They would rather play this game in Baltimore, but the Ravens have what it takes to win in Pittsburgh. I think they'll bring home another road W.
