The Steelers enter Saturday's game against the Ravens as the biggest underdog of the wild-card round, but they're carrying with them some reasons to have hope.
Pittsburgh's defense has a history of success against Lamar Jackson, relative to the rest of the league, and it had plenty of positive moments in the team's season finale against the Bengals. It wasn't enough to snap their losing streak, but the close call was a sign that an offensive resurgence could take the Steelers right back to where they were at their peak.
Jackson and Derrick Henry have looked borderline unstoppable in recent weeks, however. Henry has a history of playoff success, and Jackson looks like he's leveled up with the former Offensive Player of the Year in the backfield. Stopping that duo entirely is near-impossible, so just limiting Jackson and Henry is the Steelers' goal.
Who will the winner face in the divisional round? Here's a look at their potential opponents and the complete NFL playoff bracket.
NFL HQ: Live NFL scores | Updated NFL standings | Full NFL schedule
Who do the Steelers or Ravens play next?
The NFL re-seeds its bracket after the wild-card round, so the scenarios for the divisional round are complicated to start the weekend.
Ravens potential opponents
- No. 2 Bills
- No. 4 Texans
- No. 5 Chargers
The Ravens' divisional round outlook could be very simple, as a Bills win on Sunday would set up a Bills vs. Ravens matchup in Buffalo.
If the Bills are upset by the Broncos, however, Baltimore would host the winner of Saturday's game between the Texans and Chargers.
Steelers potential opponents
- No. 1 Chiefs
- No. 4 Texans
- No. 5 Chargers
The Steelers' scenarios are simple: if they win and the Broncos lose to the Bills on Sunday, they would go to Kansas City to face the Chiefs in the divisional round.
A Bills win would mean the Broncos lost, so there is no way for the Steelers to face Buffalo in the divisional round. If the Steelers and Broncos both win, Pittsburgh would go on the road to face the winner of the matchup between the Texans and Chargers.
MORE 2025 NFL PLAYOFFS:
NFL playoff bracket 2025
