Ravens fly to Pittsburgh despite more positive COVID-19 cases

The Ravens face more adversity on their flight to Pittsburgh.

Week 12’s scheduled Ravens-Steelers matchup feels like a soap opera that won’t end. But mercifully, the game is supposed to be played on Wednesday afternoon. The Ravens flew to Pittsburgh on Tuesday night despite two more positive COVID-19 tests.

The Ravens’ outbreak couldn’t have come at a worse time for either team, or the NFL as a whole. Originally scheduled to be the Thanksgiving primetime game, the contest has been delayed nearly a week as both teams faced outbreaks at their facility. The Ravens in particular struggled to gain control of the virus.

The NFL deemed Wednesday’s game safe enough to play

Whether that’s the right decision remains up for debate, but the NFL’s mind is made up for financial reasons. First, any Steelers-Ravens game will rake in advertising revenue. Second, forfeiting the game could also eliminate player paychecks, putting the league in a curious spot with the NFLPA.

The game also looms large for playoff positioning. The Steelers are undefeated, and nearing the AFC North title. The Ravens remain in the playoff picture despite a tough stretch of late, and are as dangerous as any Wild Card team in the AFC considering last year’s MVP is at quarterback.

On the surface, it’s tough to defend any decision that involves playing this game, but the league is backed into a corner of its own making. Playing this season was always going to involve roadblocks. The NFL has had to swerve around several of them thus far. Wednesday night in snowy Pittsburgh will be another, and consider Roger Goodell and Co. relieved once kickoff finally arrives at Heinz Field.