Ravens vs. Steelers still scheduled Thanksgiving Night despite COVID-19 outbreak on Baltimore

The Thanksgiving NFL schedule this Thursday is pretty weak with the two blah early games -- Houston at Detroit, Washington at Dallas -- but the primetime matchup makes up for it as the Baltimore Ravens visit the bitter rival Pittsburgh Steelers. That game is still on as scheduled, but it's far from a sure thing to be played after the Ravens closed their facility Monday because multiple members of the club tested positive for COVID-19. The Steelers are currently 4.5-point favorites on the William Hill Sportsbook NFL odds.

Needless to say, the last thing the NFL wants to do is postpone a game on the Thanksgiving holiday because those are huge ratings draws (NBC has this game), and they also do mega-action at the various sportsbooks. According to the Baltimore Sun, the Ravens said they were informed of the positive tests late Sunday night following their home loss to the Tennessee Titans. The team has not said whether the infections were among players or coaches.

Any Ravens players who might have tested positive or any who would be deemed "high-risk" close contacts with a positive person would not be able to play Thursday. Those who have high-risk exposure must self-quarantine for at least five days before returning. NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo has reported that Baltimore's top two running backs, Mark Ingram and rookie JK Dobbins, have tested positive. That could mean a heavy dose of Gus Edwards if the game is played. 

Earlier in November, Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey announced he had tested positive for COVID-19 and seven other players were identified as close contacts and placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. A total of 11 Baltimore players have landed on that list since the start of the season.

The Steelers already had one game earlier this year against Tennessee postponed because of a COVID outbreak on the Titans. In theory, the NFL might have to move Thursday's game to Sunday or next Monday. It's too late to move another game into the Thursday night slot.

Pittsburgh, still the NFL's lone unbeaten, looks for the season sweep of Baltimore, upsetting the Ravens 28-24 in Week 8 thanks in large part to forcing four Lamar Jackson turnovers. One pick was returned for a touchdown by the Steelers' Robert Spillane.

At 6-4, Baltimore would miss the playoffs as things stand. The Ravens would be eliminated from AFC North contention with a loss to Pittsburgh. 

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