Some Ravens players are taking it easy while others are hoping to score big contract incentives against the Steelers in Week 18.
Some Ravens players are taking it easy while others are hoping to score big contract incentives against the Steelers in Week 18.
Almost all of the Baltimore Ravens’ regular-season objectives have now been met. Champion of the AFC North? Verify. Top seed overall in the AFC? Verify. A first-round playoff bye? Verify. Is Lamar Jackson in good health? Verify. But there’s still one game to go until the playoffs start.
The only thing on the line for the Ravens against the Steelers is preparedness. On the other side, a victory for the Steelers would mean a trip to the postseason. Coach John Harbaugh will give some guys more playing time on Saturday by sitting some key players. Others are hoping to profit from large contract incentives. Jadeveon Clowney, a defensive end for the Ravens, needs just a half-sack against the Steelers to reach nine for the season and earn a $750,000 bonus, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Wideout Nelson Agholor needs 58 receiving yards on Saturday to reach 400 this season and trigger a $250,000 incentive and 10 more catches to reach 40 this season to trigger a $500,000 incentive. Running back Justice Hill needs 113 rushing yards vs. the Steelers to reach 500 this season and trigger a $250,000 incentive.
Agholor and Hill could be in luck, as players sitting today include receiver Odell Beckham Jr. so Agholor could see more targers. Hill in one of the few running backs left standing after injuries to J.K. Dobbins and Keaton Mitchell during the season.
While there’s not a lot to play for as a team, there are individual goals to look out for on Saturday as the Ravens look for win No. 13 this year.