Steelers vs Ravens Prediction: AFC North Rivalry Gets a New Edition (Jan 11)

• The Steelers lost their fourth straight game in Week 18, falling 19-17 to the Bengals at home.
• Baltimore earned their fourth win in a row, storming past the Browns to win their closer 35-10.
• These two teams last faced off back on December 21, in a matchup that the Ravens won 34-17.

The NFL postseason is here! Wild Card Week kicks off with a pair of Saturday games. Our Steelers vs Ravens prediction showcases an AFC North rivalry bout between teams moving in different directions.

Steelers Seek to End Losing Streak

The Steelers may not have hit on QB Kenny Pickett, but they remain competitive on a yearly basis, even while rebuilding. They posted a 10-7 result for the second year in a row and will make the postseason for the fourth time in the last five years. They lost in the Wild Card Round each of the previous three times and will need to find a new gear on offense to avoid another one-and-done exit.

Pittsburgh hasn’t finished below the .500 mark since 2003, which is quite the testament to their quality as a franchise. At the same time, it’s now been 15 years since the Steelers last made the Super Bowl. They have struggled to establish themselves as the top team in the conference in any particular season. Pittsburgh’s defense remains their biggest asset and their best chance of winning any game.

T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward led the way on defense once again, combining for 19 total sacks. The dominant veterans may have been the impetus for success over the past decade, but the Steelers also have some new faces on the defense that have added to their overall impact. 2nd-round pick in 2023, Keeanu Benton, has emerged as a new asset to the defense this season. He had a key sack in Week 18.

Ravens Face Steelers with Chiefs and Bills on Mind

The Ravens are the 3-seed in the AFC once again, requiring them to head on the road to face Buffalo and/or Kansas City on their path to the Super Bowl. Over the last few seasons, that has been where Baltimore’s season has come to a close. It’s been a difficult task for them to overcome their top rivals.

Speaking of rivalries, the Ravens need to avoid looking ahead to next week while taking on a capable Steelers defense. QB Lamar Jackson is well aware of the importance of this game, speaking to the need to win both as an elimination playoff game and a crucially important rivalry to the fanbase.

Baltimore’s biggest improvement this season came on the ground, thanks to the addition of veteran RB Derrick Henry. Despite recently turning 31, Henry showed no signs of slowing down. He finished the regular season with 1,921 yards, 16 TDs, and a career-high 5.9 ypc. Henry also has a tendency to heat up late in the season. This year has been no different, with the dominant back rushing for 447 yards and 3 TDs in Baltimore’s last three games. He’ll be the key to breaking down Pittsburgh’s defense.

Steelers vs Ravens Prediction: Lamar Leads the Way

The Ravens have the key advantage of being at home in this game. They also hold all the momentum, having won four games in a row. On the other side of the ball, the Steelers are on a four game losing skid and have gotten used to losing in the Wild Card round. As confident as I am in a Baltimore victory, I highly doubt this game will be a blowout. The Steelers defense is too good to let things get out of control. Take the Ravens to win straight up and expect the Steelers to cover the large 9-point spread.

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• NFL Playoffs