Steelers keep playoff hopes alive with win over Ravens - ESPN

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.

The Steelers, on the other hand, needed a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. Now, they'll need some help from the Miami Dolphins and Tennessee Titans on Sunday.

And now, the Steelers wait. Not only for their playoff fate, but for word on T.J. Watt. The Steelers beat their archrivals in a game that meant nothing to top-seeded Baltimore, but the visitors lost a significant piece when Watt appeared to suffer a left knee injury late in the third quarter as he landed awkwardly after a jump and collided with teammate Montravius Adams.

Watt pounded the ground with his fist as athletic trainers rushed to his side and teammates took knees around him. He was ruled out following several minutes in the sideline blue medical tent and a trip back to the locker room. Watt, voted Steelers MVP earlier this week by his teammates, was in the midst of a Defensive Player of the Year-caliber season, leading the NFL with 19 sacks.

In a season in which the Steelers