RDS and RDS.ca are broadcasting the two NFL games played on Saturday, the Steelers v. Ravens (4:30 p.m.) and Texans v. Colts (8 p.m.).
Avant-match Ravens c. Steelers
It’s a refrain that the Pittsburgh Steelers seem to be getting used to: heading to Baltimore for the last week of the regular schedule with a place in the playoffs at stake.
The Ravens host the Steelers on Saturday afternoon, and if the confrontation does not mean much for the positioning of Baltimore (13-3), it is of capital importance for Pittsburgh (9-7).
The Steelers can qualify for the postseason schedule with a win combined with a loss to the Buffalo Bills or the Jaguars de Jacksonville.
There is a scenario in which Pittsburgh goes through without winning, but that would require help from many teams.
“We’ve been in this situation a ton of times, you can’t afford to think ‘This must happen, this must not happen,'” Steelers star linebacker TJ Watt said. “If we don’t take care of our mandate first and foremost, it won’t change anything. »
The Ravens are already assured of finishing first in the American Association, and their star quarterback Lamar Jackson will not play this 17th game. This means that Tyler Huntley will be John Harbaugh’s right-hand man.
Huntley started two games for the Ravens against the Steelers during the 2022 season, and he compiled a 1-1 record.
Against all odds, Pittsburgh has a real chance of sneaking into the playoffs despite being dominated by over 700 yards by opposing offenses through their first 16 outings.
After the unsuccessful presences of Kenny Pickett and Mitch Trubisky behind the center, Mason Ruldolph allowed his club to obtain victories against Cincinnati and Seattle to rekindle hope.
“No matter who you are facing or the context attached to it, there would be no lack of motivation,” Harbaugh assured this week. The fact that it’s a division rival – Pittsburgh – certainly doesn’t diminish (our motivation level). It’s an important match for us. It’s a training that we respect a lot. »
Texans v. Colts (8 p.m. at RDS)
Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans knew that the duel against the Indianapolis Colts at the end of the season was going to be very different from the one in September. However, he never imagined that the scenario could change so much.
Sixteen weeks after both head coaches – Ryans and Shane Steichen – were asked numerous times about their future quarterbacks, the two clubs will play a decisive match for a place in the playoffs.
With identical records of 9-7, the two teams find themselves in a three-way tie at the top of the American South section.
One of them will put an end to a drought without playoffs by winning on Saturday. The Texans last participated in 2019, while the Colts last participated in 2020.
Both teams are playing meaningful games less than eight months after drafting a quarterback in the top five selections, but they haven’t taken the same path.
The Texans were able to count on a historic first season from CJ Stroud and a better than expected defensive unit. Stroud has thrown 21 touchdown passes, has just five interceptions and is 156 yards shy of 4,000 despite missing two games with a concussion.
The Colts turned to veteran quarterback Gardner Minshew after rookie Anthony Richardson suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in Week 5. Minshew responded by leading his team to victory in six of his eight starts.
2024-01-06 12:00:00
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