The Steelers are the one group within the AFC North whose playoff destiny comes all the way down to this weekend. The Ravens and Browns have already clinched whereas the Bengals have been eradicated final week. Will Pittsburgh get in? Listed below are our predictions for Week 18.
Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) at Baltimore Ravens (13-3): The Steelers are deciding to stay with the recent hand of QB Mason Rudolph, naming him the starter for the third straight week. It appears like the fitting determination because the offense has averaged 32 factors per recreation the previous two weeks. Pittsburgh will want both the Jaguars (9-7) or Payments (10-6) to lose to make the playoffs. However the group should, before everything, give attention to successful its recreation on Saturday towards the AFC’s No. 1 seed.
The Ravens haven’t determined whether or not they are going to play their starters. Though, it could be good to not with a possible Tremendous Bowl run forward.
“I’ve not decided on any personnel but,” head coach John Harbaugh mentioned. “We have got to sort of work by the harm a part of it first, and that can take us in all probability 24 to 48 hours to get an actual deal with on that. Then we’ll make these choices.”
Baltimore could worry changing into rusty if it sits its starters on high of eager to kick its division rival out of the playoffs. However well being is crucial factor this time of 12 months and it could be stunning if the Ravens did not relaxation their starters, particularly with their harm historical past.
PREDICTION: Steelers, 24-20
Cleveland Browns (11-5) at Cincinnati Bengals (8-8): The Browns discover themselves in an analogous scenario because the Ravens this week. With the No. 5 seed locked up, will they sit their starters? The early indications level towards “sure.”
“My understanding is they’d, in reality, look to relaxation starters for the playoffs in the event that they don’t have anything to play for,” NFL Community’s Ian Rapoport mentioned. “The Browns had 22 gamers on the harm report final week. They want a break.”
In the meantime, the Bengals might be taking part in for delight of their common season finale after failing to make the playoffs for the primary time since 2020. It has been a disappointing season since QB Joe Burrow suffered a season-ending wrist harm. However Browning, who has impressed, will look so as to add another stamp to being Burrow’s backup for years to return.
PREDICTION: Bengals, 21-17
