IT’S GAME DAY!!

That means while we all wait for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens to kickoff at 4:30pm EST in Week 18 on Saturday, it’s time to take a look at who the SCN staff likes in this game. The current line for the game is PIT (-4) with a Total of 35.

But these picks are vs. the spread, or based on an over/under. These are straight up picks. So, let’s get to the prognostications…

Jeff Hartman

The Steelers go into the Week 18 game vs. the Ravens with everything on the line. Sure, they don’t control their own destiny, but if they have a prayer of getting into the playoffs they’ll need to win Saturday. The Ravens won’t have the majority of their players since this game means nothing to them in terms of standings, etc. Should be an easy win, right? Well, we’ve seen this movie play out before and there are times when it isn’t good for the black-and-gold. Nonetheless, I think the Steelers are playing some good football right now, and are hoping to get some key defenders back for the game Saturday. Therefore, I’m taking the Steelers in a close game to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Prediction: Steelers 27, Ravens 20

Dave Schofield 

Last week I predicted the Steelers to win simply because they had to have the victory. Although they are facing a much more formidable opponent, regardless of it being some back ups, it still rings true. Additionally, the Steelers offense looks rejuvenated for two-straight games which is now a pattern, I feel this team is playing well at the right time of the season. The Steelers do their part to get to the playoffs, but will it be enough?

Prediction: Steelers 27, Ravens 16

Jeremy Betz

In 2019 the Steelers arrived in Baltimore in Week 18 to face the number 1-seeded Ravens and their backups with a chance at earning a Wild Card spot. The result: reserve QB Robert Griffin III marched the offense up and down the field and the Ravens D pounded Steelers 3rd-string QB Devin Hodges into submission in a 28-10 shellacking and the end of Pittsburgh’s playoff chances. The story sounds similar this year, except the Steelers 2nd string QB in 2019, Mason Rudolph, is now actually their 3rd-string QB in 2023, and he’s going to start this week, and he may have been the best QB on the roster the whole time. All that to say, I think this is a close game, and I think the Steelers change their fortunes in the Charm City behind their 3rd-string QB this time around.

Prediction: Steelers 23, Ravens 20

Anthony Defeo

The Steelers playoff hopes will still be alive no matter what happens in the game between the Steelers and Ravens. But I’m betting the Steelers playoff hopes will still be alive on Sunday. Why? They will play inspired football with Mason Rudolph leading the way and will defeat a Ravens team that has nothing to play for but health.

Prediction: Steelers 24, Ravens 14

Shannon White 

Anybody who has been paying attention already knows who I am going to pick. I am in no way a homer, and there’s no way I am going to jinx this hot streak for the Steelers. I have picked the Steelers to lose two weeks in a row, even though I called for Mason Rudolph three weeks ago. I knew he was the far better option than Trubisky. Maybe the Steelers wouldn’t be faced with another must win game, plus needing outside help, if the coaches would have recognized reality a little sooner. Rudolph and the Steelers have proven me wrong two outings in a row. Three’s a charm.

Prediction: Ravens 20, Steelers 17

Bradley Locker

The Steelers have genuinely been one of the more difficult teams to predict in the NFL this year, especially factoring in the last five weeks. All told, I’m 7-9 in picking Pittsburgh’s games, so maybe choose the opposite of what I say. Yet, Mike Tomlin’s team has a newfound sense of life the last two weeks after its pathetic showing in Indianapolis. Playing the Ravens without several starters still isn’t a cakewalk, but I think Pittsburgh can take advantage of key matchups, like George Pickens on backup corners. The Steelers make it seven of eight against Baltimore and squeak into the playoffs.

Prediction: Steelers 21, Ravens 16

Big Bro Scho

I wanna do it. I want to pick the Steelers this week, but then I start questioning it. Don’t the Steelers lose to a lot of back-up quarterbacks? Wouldn’t it be like the Steelers to lose this game and then everything else fall into place where they would have made the playoffs with a win? Every time the team has started to get me excited this year, they have turned right around and stunk it up. So as much as I want to pick the Steelers to get it done this week, I just see this setting up to be one of those games that just leaves me asking “what if” once it is all said and done.  Ravens kick a field goal with under 30 seconds left to win it.

Prediction: Ravens 24, Steelers 23

K.T. Smith

We’ve come this far picking Mason to win. Might as well finish the job…

Prediction: Steelers 20, Ravens 16

Andy Paladino

It’s been an exciting end to the year. Despite the Ravens resting 6 starters on Saturday (including Lamar Jackson), Huntley and crew will finish the Steelers off. Pittsburgh’s 2 game run came at the perfect time, but my guess is that it’ll be too-little, too-late for the Black and Gold. I hope I regret this.

Prediction: Ravens 24, Steelers 20

What is your prediction? Let us know in the comment section below, and be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the upcoming Week 18 game between the Steelers and Ravens.