Ravens vs. Steelers 2020: Will COVID Cases Postpone Thanksgiving Game?

Three NFL games are scheduled for Thanksgiving 2020, though the holiday slate is somewhat in question. A potential coronavirus outbreak is threatening Thursday’s primetime matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens.

As of Tuesday afternoon, five Ravens’ players and four staff members have tested positive for COVID-19, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. More positive tests Wednesday could force the league to postpone the contest, according to Schefter.

Ravens now have had five players and four staffers test positive for COVID this week, sources tell ESPN.

Thursday night’s game vs. the Steelers still is on, as scheduled, but one source warned that further positives could mean postponing it.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 24, 2020

Running backs J.K. Dobbins and Mark Ingram tested positive for the coronavirus and were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday. Baltimore closed its facility and only held virtual activities Tuesday.

If Thursday’s contest is postponed, the NFL would certainly prefer to keep it in Week 12. Both the Ravens and Steelers have already had their bye weeks.

The first matchup between these AFC North rivals was moved because of a coronavirus outbreak within the Tennessee Titans’ organization. The Week 3 game between the Steelers and Titans was moved from Week 4 to Week 7. Pittsburgh’s visit to Baltimore was pushed from Week 7 to Week 8.

The Steelers had an impromptu bye in Week 3 because the Titans couldn’t play. The Ravens’ bye was moved from Week 8 to Week 7.

The “Thursday Night Football” game between the San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers was played as scheduled on Nov. 5 despite four 49ers’ players going on the reserve/COVID-19 list the day prior. Green Bay routed a decimated San Francisco team 34-17.

Baltimore can’t afford to lose in Week 12 if the team hopes to win its third straight AFC North title. The Ravens trail the first-place Steelers by four games with just six weeks remaining in the regular season.

Pittsburgh defeated Baltimore 28-24 in Week 8. Including that contest, the Ravens have lost three of their last four games.

The Steelers are the NFL’s only undefeated team. Pittsburgh is up to a four-point favorite amid news that Baltimore will be without several players because of COVID-19.