John Harbaugh: Despite resting stars, Ravens ‘want to win this game’ vs. Steelers

Unlike the high stakes for the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Baltimore Ravens have nothing to play for Sunday in regards to playoff positioning. Some of their best players will be shielded from playing.

But Ravens coach John Harbaugh said none of that means his team won’t be ready to play in the regular-season finale.

“With all of those guys who will be playing (for Baltimore), they’re all on our 53-man roster,” Harbaugh told reporters in Baltimore on Monday. “They’ll be excited to play, and we’ll be excited to play. It’s a rivalry game. It’s the Steelers. They have everything to play for, and we recognize that and we’ll be looking to put our absolute best foot forward, play our best football game with the guys that we’ll be playing with, which will be, for the most part, most of our football team, with a few exceptions.”

Those exceptions, Harbaugh announced, are quarterback Lamar Jackson, running back Mark Ingram, guard Marshal Yanda, safety Earl Thomas and defensive lineman Brandon Williams won’t play Sunday.

The Ravens (13-2) elected to hold out some of their best players because they have wrapped up homefield advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. The Steelers (8-7), though are on the opposite end of the postseason-stakes spectrum – a win would greatly improve their chances of earning a playoff spot.

.@KGorman_Trib: #Steelers believe they can still make the playoffs, even if chances are so-so https://t.co/3iTFvOLAMY

— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) December 24, 2019

Harbaugh said it was “not a hard decision, really” – but with gameday rosters at 46 players and with 25 of those players (11 each on offense and defense, three specialists) needed on the field at points throughout the game, it’s impossible to rest everybody. Harbaugh also said all Ravens players would practice this week.

“Our goal is… we want to win this game,” he said.

“We’re going to do everything we can to play our best football game and win the game. That’s what we’re going out there to do. We know who we’re playing. We know what kind of game it will be. And we’re going to go out there and play our kind of football game.”

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