The Baltimore Ravens did their part in Week 17 of the NFL season. Needing a win and a Pittsburgh Steelers loss to stay alive in the playoff hunt, the Ravens delivered an impressive performance. Derrick Henry led the charge with a remarkable 216-yard, four-touchdown eruption, powering Baltimore to a victory over the Green Bay Packers.
The Ravens also got a crucial boost from the Cleveland Browns, who defeated the Steelers. This Week 17 victory by Cleveland set the stage for a winner-take-all showdown for the AFC North division title in the season finale. The 8-8 Ravens will face the 9-7 Steelers in Pittsburgh on Sunday, with the division crown on the line.
Marlon Humphrey is embracing the intensity of the upcoming clash. “The NFL script writers, they did a good job with this one,” Humphrey joked, according to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley. The Ravens cornerback is clearly excited about the bitter rivals facing off in a decisive Week 18 matchup.
The Steelers, meanwhile, could have avoided this do-or-die scenario by beating the Browns last Sunday. Pittsburgh had the chance to clinch its first division title since 2020 but fell short in a sluggish 13-6 loss where neither team managed to surpass 300 total yards of offense.
Now, the Ravens have an opportunity to capture their third straight AFC North championship. Coming into Week 17, Baltimore looked nearly out of contention, trailing Pittsburgh by two games and playing without their star quarterback, Lamar Jackson. However, the Ravens’ victory keeps their playoff hopes alive, with a No. 4 seed and a home playoff game on the line this Sunday.
Jackson returned to full practice on Wednesday after missing time due to a back injury. While his availability for the critical season finale remains uncertain, his participation in practice is a positive sign that he will suit up.
Pittsburgh won’t be at full strength when Baltimore arrives. Wide receiver DK Metcalf will miss a second consecutive game following a suspension related to an altercation with a fan. Metcalf’s absence has significantly impacted the Steelers’ offense, which has struggled without him.
With so much at stake, this AFC North showdown promises to be a thrilling and high-stakes battle. Ravens and Steelers fans alike will be eagerly anticipating the decisive game that will crown the division champion.
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