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New Information Has Steelers Oddly Wanting To Play Ravens In First Round Of NFL Playoffs

Originally posted on Steeler Nation | By Parker Abate | Last updated Jan 5, 2025 9:34 AM ET

The Pittsburgh Steelers entered the month of December with everything right in front of them. Not only was the AFC North division title a legitimate possibility, but so was the number one overall seed in the AFC. Nearly everything went downhill from there and Mike Tomlin and his team finished the season on a four-game losing streak. This didn't just ruin the potential for the unit to host a first-round playoff game, but also, has led to a questionable seeding situation. On Sunday, if the Los Angeles Chargers beat the Las Vegas Raiders, Tomlin and co. will hold the sixth seed and travel to play the Baltimore Ravens.

Pittsburgh lost to Baltimore in Week 16, which could have completely altered both teams' seasons if the result wasn't a Ravens 34-17 win. During most of December, the Steelers' offense has been reminiscent of the past few seasons with Matt Canada in charge. It's been ugly, predictable, and there haven't been too many splash plays for the most part.

Looking ahead to the postseason, every team in the AFC isn't necessarily afraid of an injured and inconsistent Houston Texans team currently. The five seed was looked at something that should be coveted, and still should be, but the Steelers' chances against the Ravens may already be increasing with the current weather forecast for Wild Card Weekend.

NFL Wild Card Weekend - Saturday/Sunday

Good chance it is absolutely nuking in *checks notes* Buffalo, Baltimore, and Philly. pic.twitter.com/M4vQOs9euK
— Travis Yost (@travisyost) January 5, 2025

Pittsburgh has proven in the last month or so that a shootout is not a way in which it can win football games. The Steelers have also proven to be the only team capable of slowing down Lamar Jackson during his time in the NFL. If you mix in Tomlin's game-planning when it comes to the Ravens' star quarterback along with some treacherous weather, it would immediately becomes a low-scoring contest that could play into the Steelers' hands.

Fans are getting restless with the lack of playoff competitiveness in recent years and rightfully so, which is why it is imperative for the Steelers to come up with a win during the first round. It'd be hard to believe if the NFL passed up on the opportunity to have a game between Pittsburgh and Baltimore not on either Saturday or Sunday evening.

This would lead it to likely be an old-fashioned AFC North matchup in cold weather. The precipitation expectations could change throughout the week, but if the Steelers do want to win ugly, the best opportunity to do so could be when the forecast is in their favor. Pittsburgh could win ugly in Houston, too, but the last memory the team has of playing CJ Stroud led to a brutal 30-6 loss in 2023.

Familiarity is key in the NFL and the two AFC North foes clearly have that with one another. Jackson could end up being the league's Most Valuable Player after an incredible stretch to end the year, and it's easy to argue why most franchises won't want to see him in the playoffs. However, the Steelers traveling to play the Ravens in terrible weather conditions could actually favor Pittsburgh's style of play and how Tomlin seemingly prefers to win games.

Steelers Already Have Experience With Snow Game In 2024

If Pittsburgh does travel to Baltimore and there is snowfall, Tomlin's group already has put some work in when it comes to that possibility. Albeit a loss to the Cleveland Browns, the offense found a spark with Justin Fields' legs and almost left with a victory. Whether it's rain, sleet, or snow come next weekend, if the Steelers do go on the road to play the Ravens, it might be a much more even matchup than many already expected it to be.

This article first appeared on SteelerNation.com and was syndicated with permission.

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