Although the Pittsburgh Steelers ended the regular season on a four-game skid, they will take on the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the playoffs.
The Steelers began the season 10-3 before dropping their last four games, including a loss to the Ravens. The two teams split the season series and will face off for the third time this year in the first round of the playoffs. Pittsburgh averaged 17.5 points and 309 total yards against Baltimore in its two previous matchups.
The Steelers’ defense will have their work cut out for them as they attempt to slow down a blazing-hot Ravens offense, which averages 30.5 points per game but will be missing a key piece for their matchup. The Ravens will be missing star wide receiver Zay Flowers for the playoff matchup against the Steelers, according to ESPN Insider Adam Schefter.
“John Harbaugh ruled out WR Zay Flowers for Saturday’s game vs. the Steelers,” Schefter said.
Flowers went down with a knee injury in the Ravens regular-season finale against the Cleveland Browns. He finished the regular season with 74 receptions for 1,059 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns. Flowers was a major contributor in the Ravens matchups against the Steelers this season. He scored a touchdown in their first matchup and had five catches for 100 yards in their Week 16 game.
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Rashod Bateman will be the Ravens’ No. 1 receiver with Flowers out. Although Baltimore still has weapons like a certain top running back, the Steelers’ defense should have an easier time without dealing with Flowers. Pittsburgh’s defense has been a strong point for the team this season and will need to be for the team to make a deep playoff run.
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