Local Story
BALTIMORE – In the world of NFL playoff battles, ruling the AFC North is often seen as the ultimate prize, akin to being crowned King in the North. But, as “Game of Thrones” has shown, that title doesn’t always come without significant challenges. The Baltimore Ravens and, potentially, the Pittsburgh Steelers may need to consider whether clinching the division is the smartest move now that the league has flexed their Week 18 games into a Saturday doubleheader. The Ravens will host the Cleveland Browns at 4:30 p.m. ET, while the Pittsburgh Steelers will face the Cincinnati Bengals in the night game.
For the Ravens, a win secures the AFC North crown and the No. 3 seed in the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Steelers could take the division title with a win and a Ravens loss. Regardless of the outcome, the wild card spot will likely go to one of these two teams, with the fifth seed in the AFC at stake—unless Pittsburgh loses and the Los Angeles Chargers win on Sunday.
While players and coaches typically embrace whatever challenges the schedule presents, they’re usually more cautious when it comes to potential manipulation of their playoff path. It’s common for teams to be eager for a divisional title, which often brings the advantage of a home wild-card game. However, this season, especially for a Ravens team that looks to be rounding into Super Bowl form, targeting the fifth seed and avoiding a match-up with a dangerous opponent like the Houston Texans might actually be a better strategy.
The Texans, despite their disappointing season, remain a team to watch. Houston, after their 34-10 playoff loss to the Ravens last year, made some bold moves in the offseason, including acquiring explosive receiver Stefon Diggs in a trade and signing pass rusher Danielle Hunter and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair. But, despite these efforts, Houston has struggled. Diggs’ season was derailed by a torn ACL, and the Texans have only one win against a team with a record above .500 since early October. Most concerning, the Texans’ offense has stalled, with second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud experiencing noticeable regression.
The Ravens recently embarrassed the Texans with a 31-2 win, which was broadcast worldwide on Christmas afternoon. Coach DeMeco Ryans tried to downplay the loss, saying, “That’s not who we are. That’s not what we represent,” but the team’s performance on the field tells a different story. Houston remains in first place in the AFC South, but the division’s low level of competition makes their success less impressive.
For the Ravens, a wild-card spot could set up a rematch with the Texans at NRG Stadium, where they would likely be favored. Meanwhile, winning the AFC North would set up a playoff game against the Chargers, who have been impressive of late but have also shown vulnerabilities. Both the Ravens and Steelers have already defeated the Chargers this season, but facing them again in January could be challenging.
Ultimately, both the Ravens and Steelers could consider resting key players in Week 18, which would allow them to avoid the more dangerous Texans while still securing a playoff spot. Houston’s struggles make them an appealing target for a deep playoff run. As the winter months approach, the question remains: which team will rise to the occasion and set their sights on the NFL’s ultimate prize in New Orleans this February?
