Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh revealed on Monday that he is yet to finalize a decision regarding the starting lineup for the upcoming Saturday game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a match that holds no significance for Baltimore. Following Sunday’s decisive 56-19 triumph over the Miami Dolphins, the Ravens secured both the AFC North title and the top seed in the AFC.
Harbaugh emphasized the need to assess the injury situation before reaching a conclusion, estimating that it would take approximately 24 to 48 hours to gain clarity. He assured transparency in the decision-making process, stating that the team would communicate its choices once practice commences on Wednesday.
In the event that Lamar Jackson, the frontrunner for the NFL MVP title, does not participate, he would enjoy a substantial 19-day break between games. Baltimore is set to host a divisional round game on either January 20 or 21.
The last instance of the Ravens resting starters occurred in 2019 when they held the AFC’s top seed. In that regular-season finale, Harbaugh opted to rest Jackson and six other key players. However, this strategy backfired in the subsequent divisional round, resulting in a 28-12 upset loss to the Tennessee Titans. Reflecting on this experience, Harbaugh acknowledged the differences in the current team’s composition and circumstances, emphasizing that past decisions were made for specific reasons.
Despite the setback in 2019, Harbaugh underscored the challenges of pinpointing the exact cause and effect leading to their subpar performance. He acknowledged the learning experience and highlighted the growth since then.
Nine players from the current 53-man roster were part of the 2019 playoff loss, serving as a reminder of the journey and lessons learned. Ravens offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley emphasized the significance of that experience in overcoming challenges and expressed awareness of the team’s ongoing aspirations.
Lamar Jackson, driving the Ravens to six consecutive victories and a league-best 13-3 record, is a strong contender for his second NFL MVP award. If Jackson is unable to start, backup Tyler Huntley is poised to step into the starting role.
