The Pittsburgh Steelers are hoping for reinforcements, and Mike Tomlin’s future could be impacted by this game. And here are bold predictions for the Steelers' must-win Week 18 game against the Ravens.
It’s a cut-and-dried battle for the AFC North title. The winner advances to the playoffs, while the loser faces a very disappointing season.
The Ravens opened the year with Super Bowl aspirations. The Steelers didn’t, but saw a huge division lead fade into this last-game showdown.
Let’s take a look at the bold picks.
Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers will throw for 230-plus yards
This is asking a lot from Rodgers. It’s not because he can’t do it. It’s because he doesn’t have threatening skill players. D.K. Metcalf’s suspension has ruined the Steelers.
Asking Rodgers to throw for 230 yards is almost a “must” for the Steelers to have a legitimate shot at winning.
Rodgers has a lot on his mind as he heads into this game, including retirement, according to ESPN.
“I'm thinking about this week, but obviously I'm 42 years old, and I'm on a one-year deal,” he said. “So you know what the situation is. Whenever the season ends, I'll be a free agent. So that'll give me a lot of options if I still want to play. I mean, not a lot of options, but there'll be options, I would think, maybe one or two, if I decide I still want to play.
“I've enjoyed this experience, and everybody in Pittsburgh has been fantastic to me on and off the field. And it's really what I was hoping for this experience was, it's been even better than I was hoping.”
But head coach Mike Tomlin doesn’t want to allow this to be Rodgers’ last game, according to NFL.com.
“I don't know that I've taken time to ponder that,” Tomlin said, via the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “I'm just committed to making sure that it's not. He's certainly been an awesome contributor to our efforts, not only from a talent perspective and an experience perspective, but just his professionalism, his relationship with the game, his love for his teammates, and his willingness to help them grow and get better and gain a better understanding each and every day has been cool to be part of.”
And Tomlin said he believes Rodgers has what it takes to lift the team past a big rival.
“That's one of the things that made him really attractive to us: that can-do attitude, the experience and résumé that goes along with it,” Tomlin said. “I don't think it's work for him. I think it's as natural as breathing, and so if he's breathing, I expect to see that from him as we lean in on this game.”
Steelers RB Kenneth Gainwell will get 75-plus total yards
The Steelers must get it from somewhere. And this looks like the game where Gainwell can, well, gain well.
But Tomlin said there isn’t a focus for any one player, according to behindthesteelcurtain.com.
“We certainly draw up enough schematics to spread the ball around,” Mike Tomlin said at his weekly press conference. “We believe all of our eligibles are playmakers.
“There are a lot of variables that go into how the ball is distributed. Certainly schematic approach and matchups of the opposing teams are a complement of that. What might have been a story last week or a challenge may or may not be a challenge or story this week.”
Steelers TE Pat Freirmuth will catch a TD pass among five catches
The Steelers will need Freirmuth to play as he did on the final drive against the Browns.
This is something that probably should have happened more this season, according to a post on X by Nick Farabaugh.
“Mike Tomlin talks about Pat Freiermuth being a ‘zone killer' all the time, and he is, but he's also a fantastic seam buster who *can* absolutely separate on choice routes from the slot, especially. With how shorthanded they were, it's amazing they don't use him more.”
Freirmuth only has five catches in a game one time this season.
But how will this game turn out? It shapes up to be a tight game, decided on the game’s final full drive. The Ravens should win, but it will be tough. Predicted score: Ravens 24, Steelers 20.
