FlurrySports takes a look at the Ravens vs Steelers injury report, giving updates and a prediction for Sunday Night Football.
In Week 18, NFL fans will be treated to a true winner-take-all scenario between the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers. This Ravens vs Steelers matchup will be heavily influenced by some key players battling some pretty tough injuries right now.
We break down the Ravens vs Steelers injury report and make our prediction for which team will take the AFC North crown.
Ravens vs Steelers Injury Report and Prediction
Ravens Injury Updates
Rashod Bateman – Out
With the way Baltimore’s offense has looked at times this season, the Ravens will need all hands on deck on that side of the ball. The status of receiver Rashod Bateman is out for this game. Bateman has not practiced all week due to an illness.
Marlon Humphrey – Doubtful
Much like with Bateman, Marlon Humphrey has been sidelined with an illness. He has also not practiced all week and could be on the wrong side of questionable. While illnesses can certainly clear up in a day or two, he also likely won’t be at 100%. Baltimore’s defense has looked questionable at best for long periods of time this season. If Humphrey can’t go, that’ll be a huge loss for the Ravens’ secondary.
Lamar Jackson & Company-Should Play
The good news for the Baltimore Ravens is that, outside of Humphrey and Bateman, they should have pretty much everyone else ready to go. Taven Bryan, DeAndre Hopkins, Lamar Jackson, Charlie Kolar, Patrick Ricard, Roquan Smith, Ronnie Stanley, Kyle Van Noy and Andrew Vorhees all look ready to go for Sunday night. Out of the list of players just mentioned that look to be good to go, only Ronnie Stanley wasn’t a full participant at Friday’s practice. It appears Stanley’s “DNP” on Friday was simply for rest purposes as opposed to any setbacks or issues.
Steelers Injury Updates
TJ Watt – Will Play
The biggest question heading into this game was the injury status of star linebacker TJ Watt. Just a few weeks ago, Watt had to undergo surgery to repair a partially collapsed lung after a treatment session in Pittsburgh’s facility went wrong. At the time, it appeared his injury could cost the Steelers a chance at the playoffs due to the seriousness of the injury. Instead, it appears he’s good to go for a crucial Week 18 game after logging a full practice on Friday after having limited participation earlier in the week.
Cameron Heyward and Company – Should Play
Outside of TJ Watt, there weren’t many question marks for the Pittsburgh Steelers injury report and availability for Sunday’s game. Although Cameron Heyward, Calvin Austin III, Aaron Rodgers and others appeared on the injury report and didn’t have a full week of practice, they all practiced in full on Friday, which sets them up nicely to play on Sunday night. The Steelers will be without wide receiver DK Metcalf due to a suspension, not an injury.
Ravens vs Steelers Prediction
This Ravens vs Steelers matchup can certainly go many different ways. NFL fans will be happy to see that injuries shouldn’t impact the outcome of this game very much, aside from Bateman and Humphrey for Baltimore. In the last matchup, Pittsburgh came away with a 27-22 win in Week 14. Aaron Rodgers shredded the Ravens’ secondary for 284 yards with a 103.1 quarterback rating. Baltimore was able to amass 5.4 yards per carry but was stymied thanks to an interception by Lamar Jackson that resulted in seven Steelers’ points. The Ravens were able to get the ball down to the Steelers’ five with just over two minutes left, but they weren’t able to punch it into the end zone.
This time around, the Ravens should hold the edge. While the game is in Pittsburgh, TJ Watt at anything less than 100% should swing the tide in favor of Baltimore. Derrick Henry and the running game are starting to find their groove as of late, and the Steelers probably won’t have an answer for it. Las Vegas has the Ravens as the favorites with just three and a half points and a point total of around 41 points.
We expect the Ravens to cover the spread, but not by much. Sign up to bet this game on BetUS Sportsbook, and you get a $3,625 signup bonus for the NFL Playoffs!
Ravens vs Steelers Prediction: Ravens 28, Steelers 24
