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The Pittsburgh Steelers host the Baltimore Ravens Sunday night football at 8:20 PM ET. The winner wins the AFC North and makes the playoffs, while the loser’s season ends.
Ravens vs Steelers will be on NBC and the streams will be live DIRECTV (Free Trial).
What: NFL Regular Season Week 18
WHO: Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
When: Sunday, January 4, 2025
Where: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Time: 8:20 PM ET
TV: NBC
Live Streams: DIRECTV (Free Trial)
Here’s a recent NFL story via the Associated Press:
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Mike Tomlin and John Harbaugh have spent nearly two decades staring at each other from the sidelines.
At some point it will be the last time. I have a feeling this might be the 40th meeting between them.
On the face of it, Sunday’s matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) and Baltimore Ravens (8-8) is for the AFC North title, fitting for two rivals who have ping-ponged with the division crown for nearly two decades.
However, the result could have significant knock-on effects for a pair of clubs that have consistently failed to look like playoff-worthy teams over the past four months.
“I think both teams have their warts,” longtime Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward said. “But both teams have a chance to play their best ball late. And I’d like to be a winner in that.”
Tomlin’s 19th season in Pittsburgh was uneventful. A month ago, fans at the Acrisure Stadium were calling for his work.
The Steelers responded in Tomlin style by reeling off three straight wins — starting with a win in Baltimore on the first Sunday in December. And in Tomlin style, Pittsburgh let a chance to wrap up the division slip away during a three-hour game in the mud in Cleveland last weekend.
The Ravens looked buried after an injury-plagued 1-5 start. They rallied enough to briefly join the Steelers atop the division, but stumbled again before an emphatic win in Green Bay last weekend.
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson plans to play after missing this game with a back injury, though it’s fair to start wondering where the marriage between the two-time MVP and the only head coach he’s ever known could go if Baltimore misses the playoffs.
Harbaugh, who is in his 18th season with the Ravens, understands the conversation, even if he wants no part of it.
“All those things make it interesting and fun and real,” he said. “It’s a sport, and that’s what a sport is. And I think that’s part of the intrigue of it all, so I feel really honored to be a part of it.”
Pittsburgh hasn’t won a division since 2020 and hasn’t made the playoffs since 2016. The Steelers have repeatedly emphasized the need to end their six-game postseason losing streak over the past 11.5 months.
The notoriously tunnel-visioned Tomlin, whose future beyond the end of this season has been the subject of what remains idle speculation, declined to elaborate on what the impact might be if the Ravens walk off the field as AFC North champions.
“The winner goes on,” Tomlin said simply.
And the loser begins an offseason that threatens to be busier than usual.
Ravens go for three
The Ravens are trying to become the first team to win the AFC North three straight.
“I’ve known for a while. It was a surprise, but then it wasn’t a surprise when I thought about it for about five seconds because it’s so damn competitive,” Harbaugh said. “It’s a big deal, but it’s a game. It’s like any big game. There’s a lot riding on it and a lot to be made, but you’ve got to go play winning football.”
The AFC North began in 2002. Baltimore won back-to-back division titles in 2011 and 2012, as well as 2018 and 2019 — but never managed to make it three in a row.
Rodgers’ last stand?
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been solid, if not spectacular, in his first — and perhaps only — season in Pittsburgh.
The 42-year-old four-time MVP threw 23 touchdown passes and seven interceptions and had perhaps the best game of his 21st season in Baltimore four weeks ago, throwing for 284 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for a score.
Rodgers will decide after the break whether he has the 22nd year in him. He pounded on the door this week, saying he thinks he’ll have one or two options if he wants to run them back.
For now, he’s trying to enjoy meaningful football, something that didn’t happen during his two injury-plagued seasons with the New York Jets.
“I’ve been part of a locker room the last couple of years where you get to December and you start talking about your offseason plans, where you’re going to be, your travel plans,” he said. “It’s not a lot of fun. You want to be out there talking about the game, talking about meaningful shots, talking about doing something special. And it starts this week against Baltimore.”
Workhorse Henry is ready to go
Derrick Henry ran for 216 yards and four touchdowns and carried the ball a career-high 36 times this past weekend at Green Bay. Henry, 31, doesn’t appear to be slowing down.
“I just know when it’s time to go to practice on Wednesday, I’m ready to go,” he said. “Just recovering regularly, getting my body back under me and ready to go practice on Wednesday.”
Henry is third in the NFL with 1,469 yards this season.
The Steelers are still missing Metcalf, but could get Watt back
The Steelers will be without suspended wide receiver DK Metcalf, who will serve the second half of a two-game suspension he received for physical contact with a fan in Detroit on Dec. 21.
But outside linebacker TJ Watt hopes to return after missing three games recovering from surgery to repair a partially collapsed lung. Watt has collected 17 of his 115 career wins against the Ravens.
Can I bet on the game?
Yes, you can bet on the game from your phone in New York State, and we’ve rounded up some of the best introductory offers to help you navigate your first bets from BetMGM, FanDuel, DraftKings, Bet365 and others.
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