The Pittsburgh Steelers are gearing up for a crucial Week 18 regular season finale as they prepare to take on their arch-rivals, the Baltimore Ravens. This matchup holds significant playoff implications for the Steelers, who are in a position where a victory is crucial. However, their opponents, the Ravens, have already clinched the top seed in the AFC and have little at stake in this game, allowing them to rest key players.
The Ravens have made it clear that they will rest their MVP frontrunner quarterback, Lamar Jackson, along with a slew of other key starters on Saturday. While this decision undoubtedly enhances the Steelers' prospects of triumphing over their rivals, it by no means guarantees an easy victory.
On Friday, ESPN's Mina Kimes issued a cautionary statement, asserting that Tyler Huntley possesses the potential to pose a formidable challenge to the Steelers.
"Don't underestimate Tyler Huntley," Kimes remarked. "This weekend features several backup quarterbacks stepping into starting roles, and he's unquestionably one of the more accomplished ones. We witnessed his abilities last year when he came tantalizingly close to securing a playoff win. Now, granted, certain key Ravens players will be sidelined, but the motivation to best a divisional rival and dash their playoff hopes will still be palpable."
Kimes' warning resonates particularly with the Steelers' defense. Huntley took the reins for the Ravens in their final five games of the 2022 season due to Jackson's injury. He even started a Wild Card playoff game against the Cincinnati Bengals. In that game, the Ravens lost, but Huntley demonstrated his mettle by completing 17 of 29 passes for 226 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.
"The Pittsburgh Steelers' defense must approach this matchup with the utmost seriousness because it certainly won't be a cakewalk."
Huntley, much like Jackson, poses a dual threat with his arm and legs, necessitating that the defense accounts for his dynamic rushing abilities. Over the course of his career, Huntley has maintained an impressive average of 4.4 yards per carry.
The rivalry between the Steelers and the Ravens is one of the fiercest and most storied rivalries in the NFL. Dating back to the early 2000s, these two teams have consistently been among the league's top contenders, making their matchups must-watch football. The intensity of this rivalry is fueled by their shared division, the AFC North, and their similar hard-nosed, physical styles of play.
The games between the Steelers and the Ravens are often hard-fought, down-to-the-wire battles that leave fans on the edge of their seats. With multiple playoff showdowns and memorable moments, this rivalry has solidified itself as one of the NFL's greatest, characterized by hard hits, defensive struggles, and a deep-seated desire to best one another. So although the Ravens won't be at full strength, the desire for them to win is still incredibly high.
While the Steelers enter this showdown with everything to gain, the Ravens' backups are driven by a singular objective. Ensuring that the Steelers do not secure a coveted playoff berth. The Ravens have struggled in their recent encounters with the Steelers, suffering defeat in seven of their last 10 matchups. The last thing they want to witness is TJ Watt and Mason Rudolph donning their postseason attire. It feels weird typing that Rudolph is someone an opposing defense wouldn't want to see. However, in his only two starts this season, Rudolph has the Steelers' offense soaring. It's been some of the best offense that Steeler Nation has witnessed over the course of the last couple of seasons.
The Steelers have multiple paths to secure a postseason berth, but the simplest equation revolves around securing a victory against the Ravens and hoping for favorable outcomes in the form of a Tennessee Titans or Miami Dolphins win. The ultimate verdict on the Steelers' playoff fate will be delivered on Sunday, contingent on their performance against the Ravens on Saturday. The Titans will be playing the Jacksonville Jaguars, who may or may not have their starting quarterback, Trevor Lawrence. The Dolphins will be playing the Buffalo Bills.
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