BALTIMORE — The Baltimore Ravens' NFL-best six-game win streak is over after a 17-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the short-handed Ravens achieved one significant goal: Escaping the regular-season finale without a catastrophic injury to a starter.
After wrapping up the AFC's No. 1 seed and the AFC North title a week ago, the Ravens (13-4) knew Saturday's game against their division rival had no playoff ramifications for them.
This is why Baltimore didn't play NFL MVP favorite Lamar Jackson, as well as six other starters: Wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr.
and Zay Flowers, guard Kevin Zeitler, middle linebacker Roquan Smith, safety Kyle Hamilton and cornerback Marlon Humphrey. They have accounted for 94 starts this season and have totaled 12 career Pro Bowl appearances.