Steelers, Ravens set to finally meet ... maybe

PITTSBURGH » Mike Tomlin isn’t into hypotheticals. The longtime Pittsburgh Steelers coach prefers to deal with what is happening, not what might happen.

This season, however, has challenged that approach. The unbeaten Steelers ( 10- 0) are scheduled to host some semblance of the Baltimore Ravens ( 6- 4) in a game already pushed back three times, first from Thanksgiving to Sunday, then from Sunday to Tuesday night, then from Tuesday to today.

Assuming, of course, that they play. Hardly a given in a year when uncertainty and chaos is just one positive COVID

19 test away.

“It’s day to day,” Tomlin said. “It’s a sensitive situation.”

An ever- changing one too. The Ravens had more than a dozen players on the reserve/ COVID- 19 list as of Tuesday afternoon, a group that includes reigning NFL MVP Lamar Jackson. The Steelers have COVID- 19 issues of their own, with defensive end Stephon Tuitt and starting running back James Conner among the four players who will not play.

The NFL is making every attempt to keep the league on track to finish a 16- game season in 17 weeks; look at quarterbackless Denver’s loss to New Orleans on Sunday as proof.

“We understand that every team is going through something like this,” Steelers defensive end Cam Heyward said. “Not to this extent, but we have to be ready for any situation. I think ( Tomlin) has laid out the plan. It’s up for us to follow it and it’s up for us to bounce back with it.”

With a win, the Steelers effectively would eliminate Baltimore, the defending AFC North champions, from the division race. It also would keep Pittsburgh a game clear of reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City for the top seed in the conference — and the one bye available this season.

Yet the Steelers remain wary. The previous time they saw Ravens backup quarterback Robert

Griffin III, scheduled to start in place of Jackson, he guided Baltimore past Pittsburgh in the 2019 regular season finale. Baltimore also could have its entire stable of running backs available if Mark Ingram and J. K. Dobbins continue to test negative for COVID19.

“They have a mobile quarterback who has beaten us this last time,” Heyward said. “Their defense is opportunistic, and they can be on long fields and have a kicker that can buy them out of any situation. I know we are dealing with a lot of uncertainly with guys going in and out, but we will deal with that when the time comes. We are ready for what they throw at us.”