The Baltimore Ravens find themselves in an unenviable position heading into their critical Week 16 matchup against the archrival Pittsburgh Steelers. Not only do they trail Pittsburgh by a game in the hotly-contested AFC North race, but their receiving corps has been decimated by injuries, suspensions and excused absences at the worst possible time.
On Friday, the Ravens officially ruled out veteran wideout Nelson Agholor, who will miss his second straight game after suffering a concussion in Week 14 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Agholor had provided a steady presence for quarterback Lamar Jackson, notching 44 receptions for 533 yards and three touchdowns on the season. His absence leaves Baltimore perilously thin at the position.
Walking Wounded at Wide Receiver
The bad news doesn’t end with Agholor. Rashod Bateman, the Ravens’ leading receiver, is questionable for Saturday’s clash after missing practice on Thursday with a foot injury. Bateman was spotted wearing a walking boot in the locker room, an ominous sign for a unit already stretched to the breaking point.
Making matters worse, Diontae Johnson, acquired from the Carolina Panthers at the trade deadline to bolster the receiving corps, will also miss the game. Johnson was suspended for one game by the team for insubordination after refusing to enter a Week 13 game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
That leaves the Ravens with precious few proven options in the passing game. Zay Flowers has been a revelation in his rookie season, pacing the team with 66 catches for 916 yards. But beyond Flowers, Baltimore will be relying on the likes of Tylan Wallace (10 receptions, 191 yards) and fourth-round pick Devontez Walker, who hauled in his first career touchdown last week against the Cleveland Browns.
High Stakes in the AFC North
The receiver woes couldn’t come at a worse time for Baltimore, as they prepare to host a Steelers squad that has won three straight to seize control of the division. At 10-4, Pittsburgh can clinch the AFC North crown and a home playoff game with a victory on Saturday night.
The Ravens, meanwhile, would pull even with the Steelers at 10-5 with a win, and give themselves a fighting chance to steal the division in the final two weeks of the season. According to ESPN Analytics, a Baltimore victory would boost their odds of capturing the AFC North to 45 percent.
“This is the biggest game of the year for us,” said Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen. “Everything’s on the line, so we’ve got to go out there and play our best game.”
– Patrick Queen, Baltimore Ravens linebacker
The Steelers have injury concerns of their own at wide receiver, with leading pass catcher George Pickens ruled out for a third consecutive game with a hamstring injury. But Pittsburgh still has plenty of firepower on offense, led by rookie quarterback sensation Kenny Pickett and versatile running back Najee Harris.
- Injuries have decimated the Ravens’ receiving corps when they can least afford it
- The Steelers can clinch the AFC North with a win over their archrivals on Saturday
A Clash of Wills in Baltimore
In a game with such massive implications, the outcome may well come down to the battle-tested wills of these two fierce AFC North rivals. The Ravens and Steelers have staged countless epic clashes over the years, with each team taking their best shot and refusing to blink when it matters most.
“It’s Ravens-Steelers,” said Baltimore defensive end Calais Campbell. “You already know it’s going to be a dogfight. Everything’s on the line, the division, the playoffs, so you can throw the records out. This is going to be a 60-minute war, and we’ve got to find a way to come out on top.”
The Ravens have found ways to win time after time without a full complement of weapons on offense. They’ll need to summon that resolve once more to keep their division title hopes alive and shift the balance of power in one of the NFL’s most storied rivalries.
