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The Baltimore Ravens held their postseason hopes alive with a crucial victory, but their path forward now depends on other results. Backup tight end Charlie Kolar even poked fun at a rival star, hoping to influence the outcome of Cleveland’s game and buy Baltimore one more week of life.
Why one Browns result matters for Baltimore’s playoff chances
The Ravens can stay in the race only if the Cleveland Browns beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 17. A Browns win delays Baltimore’s elimination for at least another week.
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- Ravens win plus Browns upset: Keeps Baltimore’s postseason probability afloat.
- Steelers victory: Would severely damage Baltimore’s remaining path to the playoffs.
- Week 18 implications: If Cleveland wins, Pittsburgh will host Baltimore with the divisional crown and a playoff spot on the line.
Charlie Kolar used humor to try to sway the Browns locker room
After Baltimore’s win, Kolar took to social media with a lighthearted challenge aimed at Cleveland. He joked that someone should tell Myles Garrett he was overrated and could not reach the sack total Kolar teased.
The message was playful but pointed. Kolar knows how tight the standings are and tried to inject a bit of trash talk to influence a rival’s performance.
Myles Garrett’s chase for the sack record and the stake it holds
Garrett has been a dominant force this season and entered Week 17 very close to the single-season sack mark. That chase made the Browns game more than a divisional tilt.
- Garrett’s pass-rush impact often shapes Cleveland’s results.
- His pursuit of records draws national attention and can change game plans.
- Even playful taunts, like Kolar’s, feed into the narrative around Garrett’s historic run.
Momentum, form lines, and why this matchup is unusual
Pittsburgh and Cleveland head into the game moving in opposite directions. The Steelers have been climbing with consecutive wins. The Browns have struggled and entered the week without a recent victory.
That contrast makes the contest unpredictable. For Baltimore, the outcome is not just a remote interest; it directly affects their postseason equation.
Scenarios Baltimore fans should watch live
- Steelers lose: Baltimore keeps a sliver of playoff life and eyes Week 18 possibilities.
- Steelers win: Ravens’ route to the postseason becomes extremely unlikely.
- Cleveland pulls the upset with a strong Garrett performance: Pittsburgh would host Baltimore next week with the AFC North on the line.
