The Baltimore Ravens are in the playoffs for the third consecutive season. While their obvious goal is to make it to Super Bowl LV and hoist the trophy as confetti rains down, Baltimore has to first win a playoff game. They’ll get the Tennessee Titans in the wild-card round but their opponent in the divisional round of the AFC playoffs is far from decided yet.
To help create this week’s rooting guide, I went to the RavensFlock to get their ideal matchup. With the possibility of facing the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers, or Cleveland Browns next, fans overwhelmingly chose a three-peat matchup against Pittsburgh.
The decision makes sense on a few levels. The Steelers haven’t looked very good over the last five weeks, losing four games after going 11-0 to start the season. Despite being pretty lackluster in the first matchup and dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak in the second one, Baltimore was able to keep things close against Pittsburgh the two times they met in the regular season. And if everyone’s being honest, it would be great to see the Ravens get a little revenge on the Steelers in the playoffs when the games matter more.
But in order for that matchup to take place, quite a few things need to go in Baltimore’s way. So, let’s break down what needs to happen for the Ravens vs. Steelers playoff game to occur.