Ravens: 5 most intriguing games on the 2021 schedule
By Chris Cox
1. Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers – Week 18
How else could the Baltimore Ravens season end?
The Pittsburgh Steelers will travel to Baltimore in what might be the final curtain call on Ben Roethlisberger’s Hall of Fame career.
Though most Baltimore fans love to hate Big Ben, he’s 17-11 all-time against the Ravens, including two playoff victories. In those games, he’s thrown for over 6,000 yards and 40 touchdowns. He’s been a beast, and he deserves respect.
The last two years, however, his play has noticeably declined. His arm strength, in particular, appears to be failing him, as his yards per attempt of 5.7 and 6.3, respectively, are well below his career average of 7.7.
That said, he’s still a smart veteran with a strong receiving corps that’s led by JuJu Smith-Schuster, Chase Claypool, and Diontae Johnson. The Ravens mustn’t underestimate him.
The Steelers defense, led by sack master T.J. Watt, is no slouch either. In 2020 it allowed both the third-fewest yards and third-fewest points. The Ravens averaged 19 points in contests against the Steelers, well below their season average of 27.3 points.
Perhaps most important for Baltimore fans, however, are the potential playoff ramifications for both teams.
The Ravens will surely want to ensure the Steelers don’t make the playoffs, particularly if they’re close to doing so. And the Ravens, perennially in the playoff hunt, will likely either be attempting to lock up a playoff slot or claim a high playoff seed.
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Either way, it doesn’t get much better than the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Baltimore Ravens in Week 17.