In a tale of playoff implications and divisional rivalries, the Los Angeles Chargers clinched a crucial victory over the Las Vegas Raiders with a decisive 34-20 win to close out Week 18. This win had rippling effects across the league, particularly for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who now know their postseason path.
The Steelers had the potential to snag the No. 5 seed with a victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday night. Such a win would have positioned them for a Wild Card battle against the Houston Texans. However, a narrow 19-17 loss to Cincinnati meant their playoff destiny hinged on the Chargers’ performance against the Raiders.
With the Chargers handling their business, they secured the No. 5 seed, courtesy of head coach Jim Harbaugh’s leadership. Consequently, Pittsburgh finds itself in the No. 6 seed slot, setting up a familiar and challenging matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
This upcoming showdown marks the third meeting between these AFC North foes this season. Their first clash in Week 11 saw the Steelers edge out an 18-16 victory, effectively quieting Lamar Jackson and his high-octane offense. Fast forward to Week 16, and the narrative shifted dramatically, as the Ravens turned the tables with a commanding 34-17 win during Pittsburgh’s four-game losing skid to close the year.
Heading into the playoffs, the Steelers face a challenging task. Head coach Mike Tomlin’s squad struggled in the season’s final stretch, meaning no potential Wild Card matchup was going to be a walk in the park. Yet, it’s clear that a face-off with the Texans, who have had their share of ups and downs, would have been a more favorable draw than contending with a Ravens team that knows them all too well.
