- The Baltimore Ravens have already secured the AFC North title and the No. 1 seed
- John Harbaugh has to choose whether to start Lamar Jackson against the Steelers
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Ravens coach John Harbaugh has yet to decide whether quarterback Lamar Jackson will start in Saturday’s final regular-season game against the Steelers.
Jackon is the favorite to win the NFL’s MVP award after leading the Ravens to a league-best 13-3 record this season.
Sunday’s 56-19 victory over the Miami Dolphins clinched the Ravens for both the AFC North title and the conference’s No. 1 seed.
After Jackson led Baltimore to a sixth straight victory, this weekend’s clash with Pittsburgh has no consequences for the Ravens.
“We have to deal with the injury part first,” Harbaugh said.
The Ravens have yet to decide whether to start Lamar Jackson in the final game of the regular season
Jackon is the favorite to win the NFL’s MVP award after leading the Ravens to a 13-3 record
“It’ll probably take us 24 to 48 hours to really get a handle on that, and then we’ll make those decisions.” We’re not going to keep it a secret. We’ll let you know what we’re going to do as soon as we start practicing (Wednesday).”
If Jackson sits out the game, backup Tyler Huntley is ready to fill in after making four appearances at quarterback this season, including against the Dolphins.
A rest would give Jackson a break of about three weeks, with Baltimore hosting a divisional round on Jan. 20 or 21.
Harbaugh faced a similar dilemma in 2019, when he opted to play quarterback and join six other starters in the regular-season finale.
That year, the Ravens lost in the divisional round of the playoffs, working to a season-low points total.
Ravens coach John Harbaugh said he will call on Jackson in the coming days
But Harbaugh downplayed the comparisons between the two campaigns.
“Different team, different circumstances, different, everything except the record was about the same and goodbye,” the head coach said.
“I remember the experience and the choices we made (in 2019), but the decisions we made were made for certain reasons. We thought these were the right decisions.
“What the impact was on us not playing our best football that day, it’s very difficult to say what the cause and the effect was. We didn’t go there or do it. And that’s what I get the most out of it.’
