BALTIMORE – It’s an unusual “Purple Friday” as the Ravens take on their longtime rival Pittsburgh Steelers in a showdown Saturday afternoon.
It’s the final game of the regular season. While the Ravens are clinching a playoff berth, the Steelers are fighting for their lives to make the postseason.
Several of the Ravens’ top players will be resting this week. The most notable absence is quarterback Lamar Jackson, who will watch from the sideline as Tyler Huntley leads the offense.
The Steelers are on the outside looking in and need to win and get help to survive.
The Ravens want nothing more than to ruin Pittsburgh’s playoff hopes at M&T Bank Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
How will this unusual setting play out? We will speak to a panel of experts.
Alex Glaze picked the Ravens to beat the Steelers 20-17.
“If you don’t think John Harbaugh and the Ravens are going to win this game, you’re crazy,” Glaze said.
Huber of “Huber in the Morning on 100.7 The Bay” chose the Ravens to win, 27-21.
There are a lot of things in this match that I didn’t expect. Like, how pointless this game is for the Ravens. ” Huber said. “I’m debating whether I want to see this game or the 2000 Keanu Reeves classic.” “The Replacements.”
Torrey Smith said the Ravens intend to send the Steelers back for a long offseason.
“We know what this game means to the people of this city. Regardless of the situation at hand, the Ravens are still going to make it,” the former Ravens wide receiver said.
Rick Ritter agrees, despite missing several starting pitchers. He picked the Ravens 13-10.
“You can’t afford to lose to the Steelers twice, right? They have to win,” Ritter said. “The Steelers’ season is coming up, but the Ravens have a Pro Bowl quarterback. Tyler Huntley has a chance to be there. They’re not going to let the Steelers win.”
Kadri Ismail followed suit, picking the Ravens to win 20-17.
“This is a game of rivalry,” Ismail said. “Tyler Huntley, and the other players active that day, have to play their game and play effectively and get a win. That’s it. End of discussion.”
Games like this are hard to predict, but Mark Viviano said he expects the Ravens to win 19-16.
“It’s hard to pick a game of this nature, but the Ravens have some players who are good backup players,” Viviano said. “And my feeling is they’re going to be better than the Steelers, even as starters.”
WJZ’s “Purple Pregame” show begins at 11 a.m. Saturday.