The Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4) and Baltimore Ravens (9-5) will do battle at M&T Bank Stadium in Week 16 in what is a crucial matchup for the AFC North rivals' hopes of winning the division.
If the Steelers can emerge victorious, they will wrap up the AFC North a few weeks early. However, if the Ravens win, they will pull even with the Steelers while also erasing the head-to-head tiebreaker.
Pittsburgh enters this game off an ugly loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, 27-13. The Ravens had a softball matchup versus the New York Giants in Week 14, and they took care of business, winning 35-14.
Pittsburgh has several injury concerns going into this game, as the statuses of wide receiver George Pickens, safety DeShon Elliott, defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi and edge rusher T.J. Watt are all up in the air.
Watt exited the Week 15 game early, and Pickens, Elliott and Ogunjobi all didn't play last week. Head coach Mike Tomlin revealed that the "door is ajar" for all of those players to suit up. Tomlin added that he's "optimistic" that Watt will play after seeing the star edge rusher walking around "rather comfortably."
It goes without saying that this Steelers-Ravens matchup is one of the most highly anticipated ones of the Week 16 slate. Let's see what experts think will happen between these two teams.
NFL picks, predictions Week 16: Steelers vs. Ravens
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: Ravens 27, Steelers 20
Prisco: "This is an enormous game in the AFC North. The Ravens lost to the Steelers earlier this year, but this is the time they get even. Lamar Jackson was limited in terms of production in that game, but he won't be here. He will get the best of the Steelers defense as the Ravens make the division a race."
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: Ravens 24, Steelers 17
Iyer: "The Steelers stymied the Ravens' defensively in the first matchup, but now T.J. Watt (ankle) is hurting and Pittsburgh has less offensive firepower with George Pickens (hamstring) also on the shelf. Lamar Jackson got revved up again after the bye and will make amends for the earlier loss vs. Pittsburgh with sharp downfield passing. Russell Wilson once again will be hampered by one-dimensional limitations."
Bill Bender, Sporting News: Ravens 24, Steelers 17
Bender: "When will the Ravens figure out the Steelers? Baltimore has lost to Pittsburgh in each of Lamar Jackson's past four starts, including an 18-16 loss in Week 11 where Jackson was limited to 253 total yards. The Steelers have a minus-9 turnover ratio in their past five games, and that includes road losses at Cleveland and Philadelphia. The Steelers will be the popular pick to cover, but the Ravens are due here."
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Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Ravens 27, Steelers 20
Cluff: "The Ravens are just one game behind the Steelers in the AFC North, making this a very intriguing NFL Week 16 game. The Steelers beat the Ravens in Week 11, 18-16. We expect a red-hot Lamar Jackson to lead Baltimore to a win this week."
Matt Johnson, Sportsnaut: Ravens 27, Steelers 24
Johnson: "Injuries might be what costs the Pittsburgh Steelers in this pivotal Week 16 matchup. Donte Jackson (back), T.J. Watt (ankle), Larry Ogunjobi, DeShon Elliott and George Pickens are all iffy to play on Saturday. For as historically good as this defense has been against Lamar Jackson, missing multiple starters and the only dependable pass-catching threat will probably cost Pittsburgh in this matchup and make a fight to the wire down the stretch for the AFC North."
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