As kickoff nears for the Steelers-Ravens Week 18 winner-take-all clash at Acrisure Stadium—building on prior previews highlighting records, recent form, and rivalry history—final inactives and returns shape the pivotal AFC North showdown, with T.J. Watt back for Pittsburgh and Derrick Henry's dominance a continued Ravens threat.
With the January 4, 2026, 8:20 p.m. ET NBC broadcast imminent, Pittsburgh welcomes back key defenders: OLB T.J. Watt (lung), G Isaac Seumalo (triceps), CB James Pierre (calf), WR Calvin Austin III (hamstring), and CB Brandin Echols (groin). Healthy scratches include QB Will Howard (emergency third), RB Kaleb Johnson, WR Roman Wilson, OL Jack Driscoll, OLB Jeremiah Moon, and CB Tre Flowers; CB D’Shawn Jamison elevated from practice squad. WR DK Metcalf remains suspended.
Baltimore's inactives: QB Cooper Rush (third), WR Rashod Bateman, CBs Amani Oruwariye and Keyon Martin, T Joseph Notebloom, DT Aeneas Peebles, WR Keith Kirkwood. CB Marlon Humphrey (illness, questionable); DL Taven Bryan (knee, IR).
Off-field drama intensifies: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac reports the Steelers won't re-sign QB Aaron Rodgers (42) if they lose, eyeing a draft QB regardless—contrasting earlier coach support amid Rodgers' uncertain 2026 plans.
Odds: Ravens -3.5, O/U 41.5. Recent head-to-heads trend under, but both offenses hot lately. Pittsburgh seeks repeat of Week 14's 27-22 win; Baltimore rides Henry's 216-yd, 4-TD Packers outburst.
