With the Ravens enduring the craziest week in franchise history ahead of a Wednesday clash at Pittsburgh originally scheduled for Thanksgiving night, I’ve offered a dozen thoughts, each in 50 words or less:
1. We can condemn this game’s merits until we’re blue in the face, but the Ravens just need to get through it at this point. The remaining five weeks of the season are extremely favorable if this team gets healthy and regains its bearings. This was never a “must-win” contest anyway.
2. I do wonder how such a widespread outbreak could impact Baltimore’s performance the rest of the way. Being healthy enough to play upon recovering from the virus isn’t the same as being able to play your best football. Of course, you pray for the best health outcomes for everyone.
3. Robert Griffin III is 30 and set to become a free agent, but playing behind a makeshift offensive line and without a Pro Bowl tight end, a reliable veteran wide receiver, and a Pro Bowl fullback doesn’t make for an ideal starting audition, especially against a top defense. Really tough.
4. The game being moved to Wednesday makes J.K. Dobbins and Mark Ingram eligible after a 10-day isolation period, but my previous point still makes me take pause. Dobbins headlined Baltimore’s 265-yard rushing effort in the first Steelers game, but these two couldn’t participate in workouts these last two days.
5. With Patrick Mekari and Matt Skura on the reserve-COVID-19 list and rookie Trystan Colon-Castillo yet to take an NFL snap, I’d be surprised if Bradley Bozeman doesn’t shift to center. In addition to his extensive experience at Alabama, Bozeman regularly works on snapping at practices and during pregame warm-ups.
6. The Pittsburgh running game was already pedestrian and won’t feature James Conner, but a Ravens front facing the prospects of being without Brandon Williams, Calais Campbell, Pernell McPhee, Matthew Judon, and Justin Madubuike changes the conversation. The Steelers are going to want to shorten this game too if they can.
7. Not including individuals already on injured reserve, the Ravens secondary is the one group that hasn’t been impacted by this outbreak. A Marcus Peters interception return for a touchdown and a Marlon Humphrey forced fumble are the types of plays Baltimore needs to have any real chance to win.
8. With the way Ben Roethlisberger and Pittsburgh effectively used empty sets and receiver stacks in the second half of the first meeting, No. 4 cornerback Tramon Williams could be a key factor if the Ravens can stop the run. The 37-year-old has played 14 defensive snaps in two games.
9. In addition to Conner, Steelers defensive end Stephon Tuitt is on the COVID-19 list after recording two sacks and nine tackles to register AFC Defensive Player of the Week in the first matchup. The Ravens will still have their hands full with the rest of that defensive line.
10. These rivals are both strong on special teams with the Ravens having the edge under normal conditions, but veteran long snapper Morgan Cox won’t be playing. Nick Moore was retained on the practice squad for this very scenario, so it’s quite an opportunity for the former XFL long snapper.
11. A 3:40 p.m. Wednesday kickoff makes this game feel like it should be televised on truTV with an “Impractical Jokers” marathon to follow. The Ravens should just lean into the absurdity of it all by wearing those hideous mustard pants that haven’t seen the light of day in five years.
12. The schedule shuffling means the Ravens will play their next three games on a Wednesday, a Tuesday, and a Monday. They’ll go nearly a full calendar month between conventional Sunday game weeks. Insert the obligatory “That’s so 2020” here.
Prediction: What’s left of John Harbaugh’s team will play hard, but being without multiple Pro Bowl players, starters, and notable backups is too much to overcome. Pittsburgh wins 30-13, but I’ll utter two names to give Ravens fans some hope — Charlie Batch and Ryan Mallett. You never really know.
