Baltimore Beatdown
The Ravens received the help they needed on Sunday from the Cleveland Browns, who secured a 13-6 upset victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. As the Ravens are now still only one game behind the Steelers in the standings, the two will face off for the division title next week. Here are the Baltimore Beatdown staff’s reaction to the Browns’ victory and turn of events for the Ravens.
LIFE! AIR! HOPE! After months of turmoil in the most disappointing regular season in Ravens history, none of it matters. Week 18 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, win and in. What more could you ask for at the end of the day than a chance to go to the playoffs at the end of the season? Now the Ravens just have to do their jobs and win a game. That hasn’t been a problem this season, right? — Zach Canter
Aaaaaaand exhale. Perfect timing. That was as agonizing as I could have expected, but equally as rewarding as any game I’ve watched all year. The Browns defense is simply incredible. An incredibly gutsy performance that gives the NFL the Week 18 matchup fans dreamed of.
Health concerns immediately spring to mind. Will it be Snoop Huntley or will Lamar Jackson return? It’s all on the line. The Ravens, against all odds following the 1-5 start to the season, can clinch the AFC North, send the Steelers packing, and give Mike Tomlin his first losing season next week. The world will be watching. The question is: which Ravens team will show up? — Mark Myers
The Ravens may not deserve to have their season saved by another team, but I will gladly take it. The AFC is so wide open that I still believe the Ravens could put together a run if Lamar Jackson can come back in time for the playoffs. They still have one more step before getting into the playoffs, though, and that’s beating the Steelers next week. Outside of two games last season, Pittsburgh has had Baltimore’s number, so I am not super confident heading into next week. Even if Jackson returns to the field, the Ravens should continue to ride Derrick Henry after his monster performance against the Packers. — Dustin Cox
Of course we ended up here. Week 18, in Pittsburgh, with the division – and a lot more – on the line. Quite frankly, the Ravens don’t deserve to be in this position. They don’t deserve to still have a chance at the postseason and, technically, a Super Bowl ring, as impossible as that seems. And yet they do. Based on how the Steelers played today, the Ravens have a legitimate shot to win next week. You could argue that another playoff berth might be, in the long run, bad for the franchise. But good luck telling the players and coaches that next week. As far as they’re concerned, they’re still in the hunt. Thanks to the Browns. — Nikhil Mehta
It felt all along that the...
