The Pittsburgh Steelers are staring down one of the most pivotal moments of their season-and the timing couldn’t be worse. After a humbling loss to the Buffalo Bills, the Steelers find themselves at 6-6, no longer atop the AFC North and, as things stand, on the outside of the playoff picture. Now, they head into Baltimore for a high-stakes showdown with the division-leading Ravens-a game that could very well decide the trajectory of their season.
Injury Report: Key Absences Could Tip the Scales
Mike Tomlin took the podium Tuesday with updates that didn’t exactly inspire confidence heading into this crucial matchup. Defensive tackle Derrick Harmon has been ruled out once again with a lingering knee injury.
His absence was felt in a big way last week, as the Bills gashed the Steelers for 249 rushing yards. And now, with Derrick Henry and the Ravens’ ground game on deck, not having Harmon in the middle could be a serious problem.
Cornerback James Pierre is currently in concussion protocol and is considered questionable. That’s a concern for a secondary that’s going to need all hands on deck against a Ravens offense that’s been finding its rhythm.
Linebacker Patrick Queen is also listed as questionable with a glute injury. He hasn’t missed a game this season, but his status will be one to monitor closely as the week progresses.
Aaron Rodgers' Status: A Bruised Nose, But Not His Availability
One of the more dramatic moments from Sunday’s loss came when Aaron Rodgers exited in the third quarter after taking a sack that led to a fumble and a Buffalo scoop-and-score. He missed a series, was seen getting checked out in the medical tent, and returned with a bloodied nose-classic gritty Rodgers. Despite the scare, it looks like he’ll be good to go for Sunday’s matchup in Baltimore.
High Stakes in the AFC North
Make no mistake: this is as close to a must-win as it gets in early December. A loss in Baltimore wouldn’t just hurt-it would leave the Steelers two games back in the division due to tiebreakers, and with only a handful of games left, that’s a tough mountain to climb. The Ravens have been rolling, and the Steelers will enter as 5.5-point underdogs, per FanDuel Sportsbook.
But if there’s one thing we’ve learned about Mike Tomlin’s teams over the years, it’s that they don’t go down without a fight. Injuries, setbacks, and adversity have been part of the DNA all season long.
Now, it’s gut-check time. The Steelers need to find a way to claw back into the AFC North race-and it starts in Baltimore.