The Baltimore Ravens (12-5) and Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) renew one of the NFL’s fiercest rivalries in a high-stakes Wild Card showdown Saturday night at M&T Bank Stadium. It’s win-or-go-home as these AFC North foes face off for the third time this season, with the Ravens claiming the division crown and the Steelers scraping into the playoffs as the No. 6 seed.
This marks the first postseason meeting between the teams in a decade and the first-ever playoff matchup between them in Baltimore. The Ravens enter with momentum, having won five of their last six games, while the Steelers limp into the playoffs on a four-game losing streak. However, with rivalry games this intense, regular-season trends are often meaningless.
Baltimore will face its first postseason test without star wide receiver Zay Flowers, who has been ruled out with a knee injury sustained in Week 18. Flowers has been a key component of the Ravens' offense, and his absence shifts more of the load onto Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, and Rashod Bateman. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh’s quarterback situation remains a mystery, with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields both potentially seeing snaps as the Steelers look for answers on offense.
Key Ravens inactives
The Ravens will be without wide receiver Zay Flowers (knee), whose playmaking ability will be sorely missed. Flowers had 13 catches in two playoff games last season and led Baltimore in receptions this year. Wide receiver Deonte Harty (knee) is listed as questionable but practiced in full on Thursday, leaving the door open for a potential return. Running back Justice Hill (concussion/illness) and safety Kyle Hamilton (knee) are both active.
Key Steelers inactives
Pittsburgh is also dealing with key injuries, with wide receiver Roman Wilson (hamstring), linebacker Cole Holcomb (knee), and defensive tackle Logan Lee (calf) all ruled out. Offensive guard Mason McCormick (hand) and tackle Calvin Anderson (groin) are questionable but practiced in limited capacity throughout the week. Defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (illness) is expected to play after missing practices earlier this week.
Full Ravens inactives list for Wild Card game
- WR: Zay Flowers
- FS: Beau Brade
- RB: Rahseen Ali
- FS: Marcus Williams
- LB: Adisa Isaac
- C: Nick Samac
- WR: Keith Kirkwood
Full Steelers inactives list for Wild Card game
- QB: Kyle Allen
- WR: Scotty Miller
- WR: Jamal Agnew
- CB: Cory Trice Jr.
- OG: Mason McCormick
- LB: Preston Smith
- DE: Dean Lowry
Key storylines
How will the Ravens adjust without Zay Flowers?
This will be Flowers’ first missed game in two seasons, and his absence creates a significant void in Baltimore’s passing attack. Look for Rashod Bateman to shoulder a larger role, with Isaiah Likely and Mark Andrews likely serving as key safety valves for Lamar Jackson. The Ravens' potent rushing attack, led by Derrick Henry, could also see an increased workload to control the tempo.
Can Baltimore’s defense stifle Pittsburgh’s offense again?
The Steelers haven’t scored more than 17 points in a game since early December, and their quarterback situation remains unsettled. Baltimore’s defense, led by Roquan Smith and Kyle Hamilton, will aim to replicate its Week 16 performance, where it held Pittsburgh to just 17 points and forced multiple turnovers.
Will Derrick Henry dominate again?
Henry has been unstoppable down the stretch, and his 162-yard performance against Pittsburgh in Week 16 set the tone for Baltimore’s win. The Steelers struggled against the run all season, and if Henry gets rolling early, it could be a long night for Pittsburgh.
(Amazon) Primetime drama awaits
With playoff implications, historic rivalry stakes, and the electric atmosphere of M&T Bank Stadium under the lights, this Wild Card showdown is everything fans could want from Ravens-Steelers. Both teams know the stakes: a win keeps their Super Bowl dreams alive, while a loss ends their season. Buckle up—it’s going to be a fight to the finish.