The stage is set for a thrilling showdown as the Baltimore Ravens gear up to host their AFC North rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers, in the Wild-Card round at M&T Bank Stadium. These two teams have a storied playoff history, clashing four times previously, but this will mark their first postseason encounter in Baltimore. Rewind to 2014, and you’ll find the Ravens emerging victorious with a 30-17 win in their last playoff tête-à-tête.
Baltimore comes into this matchup as the No. 3 seed, riding high on a four-game win streak and boasting a 12-5 record. Meanwhile, the Steelers, holding the No. 6 seed at 10-7, are looking to rebound from a rough patch of four consecutive losses. A tough Week 18 defeat at the hands of the Bengals, coupled with a Chargers victory over the Raiders, caused Pittsburgh to slide into the sixth slot.
Elsewhere in the AFC, the No. 5-seeded Chargers, guided by Head Coach Jim Harbaugh, have a date with the Texans in Houston. However, hopes of a HarBowl IV will have to wait until the AFC Championship if it materializes at all.
The Ravens have been on a tear in the AFC this season. They’ve danced close with nearly every team in the playoff lineup during the regular season:
- A narrow 20-27 loss to No. 1 Chiefs
- Dominant 35-10 win against No. 2 Bills
- Commanding 31-2 victory over No. 4 Texans
- Clutch 30-23 triumph against No. 5 Chargers
- A hefty 34-17 win versus the Steelers themselves
- A formidable 41-10 battle with the No. 7 Broncos
Back on December 21, the Ravens asserted their dominance over the Steelers with a 34-17 win, thanks to a dramatic fourth-quarter pick-six by cornerback Marlon Humphrey. Despite that performance, the Steelers have historically had the upper hand, taking eight of their last nine meetings before this season.
Pittsburgh, however, has seen its offense misfire lately, failing to score more than 17 points in their past four matchups. Quarterback Russell Wilson has averaged 175 passing yards with four touchdowns to his credit and two interceptions during this stretch. On the defensive side, they’re catching their breath, managing to contain the Bengals to a mere 19 points in their last regular-season game, and they’ve gotten a bit healthier to boot.
Meanwhile, Ravens star Lamar Jackson aims to put any whispers about his struggles against the Steelers to rest. In their last face-off, he threw for an impressive 207 yards, three touchdowns, and just one interception, effectively silencing the doubters. He’s laser-focused on the playoffs, saying after clinching the AFC North, “I’m focused on the Wild Card game; I’m not going to lie to you,” making it clear his eyes are set on the prize ahead.
This matchup promises fireworks as Baltimore looks to leverage their momentum and solidify their run with a commanding playoff victory at home. Game on!
