John Harbaugh: There's 'no lack of motivation' against Steelers in season finale

You love to see these sorts of games. The Ravens and Steelers, two divisional rivals, face off against each other in week 18. The weather is supposed to be raw and nasty. In an odd spin, Baltimore’s biggest motivation could be ending Pittsburgh’s season.

Yes, the Ravens have that much power over the Steelers. Baltimore already clinched the top seed for the playoffs. It’s why they’re resting superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson for their regular-season finale at M&B Bank Stadium. But if they beat the Steelers, Pittsburgh players will start packing up their stuff once they head home. Season over.

John Harbaugh, Baltimore’s head coach, addressed the motivational issue this week during a press conference.

“There’s no lack of motivation for sure,” Harbaugh said of the Steelers. “Just because, first of all, it’s an NFL game, and the guys playing in the game are going to be giving it all they have. You have to. And the guys playing the game want to win each play. And they want to win the game. They’re going to play their very best. They’re going to play as hard as they possibly can. 

“The other part of it is, we’re playing a division rival, so you know what goes with that. They know us, we know them. We know what it’s going to take to win a game like this. Then it’s Pittsburgh, all those things factor in.”

Steelers handled Ravens, Lamar Jackson earlier this season

Add this to the mix. The Steelers upset the Ravens, 17-10, at Acrisure Stadium back in October the first time the two AFC North rivals played each other. Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin, in a motivational session with the team, played old video clips of past plays against the Ravens to get his team in the mood to give a licking. It worked. The Ravens had three turnovers, including two in the game’s final minutes. Plus, Baltimore generously handed Pittsburgh two points thanks to a blocked punt for a safety. Kenny Pickett and George Pickens combined for a big play late and everything fell into place.

The Steelers need to win on Saturday, plus have either the Jaguars or Bills lose on Sunday to make the playoffs. Jackson will be on the sideline, but not in the game. Instead, it’ll be backup Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley in at quarterback.

Patrick Queen, Baltimore’s Pro Bowl linebacker, said he could use the game as an opportunity to rest before the playoffs. But he doesn’t want to do that since it’s the Steelers.

“Those guys come out fierce, try to do their thing,” Queen told reporters this week. “Try to come out and punch you in the mouth and stuff. That’s my type of game. It isn’t going to be no treat or anything. They’re just coming out, they’re lined up, and they say, ‘Can you stop us?’ So that’s something that you respect and that’s why I am kind of excited to play.”