Kevin Gorman’s Who runs the North?: Road to the Super Bowl goes through the Grinch
The Baltimore Ravens don’t just run the AFC North. For the first time, the AFC playoffs run through Baltimore.
The Ravens didn’t just win their 11th consecutive game to clinch the conference’s top seed and home field throughout the AFC playoffs for the first time. They eliminated the Cleveland Browns from postseason contention for the 17th straight season.
Now, they can do the same to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Steelers need to beat Baltimore and get some help from others – a Houston Texans victory over the Tennessee Titans would be the best-case scenario – to qualify as the sixth seed.
The Ravens can ruin those hopes for a second straight season by beating the Steelers, after knocking them out last year by beating the Browns in the season finale at M&T Bank Stadium.
Who do the Ravens think they are, the Grinch Who Stole Christmas?
You’re a mean one, Mr. Harbaugh.
Actually, John Harbaugh gave the Steelers a Christmas present by announcing that he would rest five starters, including MVP frontrunner Lamar Jackson and three other Pro Bowl players, for Sunday’s season finale in Baltimore.
It’s a gift the Steelers should savor.
Now if they can only return the favor.
The TD pass to Mark Andrews was nice, but this pass from Lamar Jackson to Mark Ingram was super impressive. Lamar stands in the pocket and then threads the needle. Excellent. pic.twitter.com/ky82P99nUv
— Sarah Ellison (@sgellison) December 22, 2019
Baltimore Ravens
Result: Beat the Cleveland Browns, 31-15.
Highlights: Lamar Jackson completed 20 of 31 passes for 238 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 103 yards on 17 carries, his fifth 100-yard rushing game this season. Tight end Mark Andrews had six catches for 93 yards and two scores.
Lowlights: Mark Ingram cracked the 1,000-yard mark in the second quarter but left the game with a calf injury. Ingram is one of a handful of Ravens who will sit out on Sunday, but it could be a big blow if this affects his availability for the playoffs.
Next: The Ravens (13-2) play host to the Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7) at 4:25 p.m. on Sunday.
The Cincinnati Bengals are now on the clock... pic.twitter.com/nu9FVV6goe
— NFL Retweet (@NFLRT) December 22, 2019
Cincinnati Bengals
Result: Lost to the Miami Dolphins, 38-35, in overtime.
Highlights: With the loss, the Bengals clinched the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, giving them the choice of Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow of LSU or defensive lineman Chase Young of Ohio State. That’s really what this season was all about, isn’t it?
Lowlights: Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton did his best to destroy the Bungle for Burrow scenario, passing for 396 yards and four touchdowns in leading the Bengals to score three touchdowns to rally from a 35-12 deficit in the final 5:01 and force overtime by scoring 16 points in the final 29 seconds of regulation! Randy Bullock was in the diabolic conspiracy, adding a 57-yard field goal, and former Clairton and Pitt star Tyler Boyd added nine catches for 128 yards and two touchdowns. Fortunately, the defense gave up a field goal in overtime to protect the Brown family plan.
Next: The Bengals (1-14) play host to the Cleveland Browns (6-9) at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
Better clip of #Browns Kareem Hunt saying not everyone gave 110% each play v #Cardinals pic.twitter.com/M4TiBNh665
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) December 16, 2019
Cleveland Browns
Result: Lost to the Baltimore Ravens, 35-21.
Highlights: The Browns took advantage of a Jackson fumble to score on a short touchdown drive, and controlled most of the first half. Baker Mayfield completed 20 of 33 passes for 192 yards and two touchdowns with an interception.
Lowlights: The Ravens scored twice in the final 1:18 of the second quarter – both on touchdown passes to Andrews – to take a 14-6 lead into halftime. And Freddie Kitchens made another curious call on a third-and-1, attempting a halfback option pass with Kareem Hunt that resulted in an 8-yard loss.
Next: The Browns (6-9) visit the Cincinnati Bengals (1-14) at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
The Steelers benched QB Duck Hodges for Mason Rudolph against the Jets. This man was READY ? #NYJvsPIT #nfl #espn #fans #football #sports #crazy #benched pic.twitter.com/yQ8rp4ozQV
— standoutsportz (@standoutsportz) December 22, 2019
Pittsburgh Steelers
Result: Lost to the New York Jets, 16-10.
Highlights: After Devlin Hodges threw two interceptions and the Steelers fell behind by 10 points, Mason Rudolph replaced Hodges in the second quarter. Rudolph led two scoring drives, including a 29-yard touchdown pass to Diontae Johnson, to tie the game at 10-10 going into halftime.
Lowlights: One play after Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey left with a knee injury in third quarter, backup center B.J. Finney stepped on the foot of Rudolph and the quarterback fell on his left shoulder and was forced to leave the game.
Next: The Steelers (8-7) visit the Baltimore Ravens (13-2) at 4:25 p.m. on Sunday.
Hey, Steelers Nation, get the latest news about the Pittsburgh Steelers here.
Kevin Gorman is a TribLive reporter covering the Pirates. A Baldwin native and Penn State graduate, he joined the Trib in 1999 and has covered high school sports, Pitt football and basketball and was a sports columnist for 10 years. He can be reached at kgorman@triblive.com.
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