NFL Analyst Says Steelers Sneaking Into Playoffs Could Lead To Terrible Outcome For The Ravens

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a drama-filled 2023 season. That will continue on into Week 18 as the team will travel to play the Baltimore Ravens with their playoff hopes on the line. They do not control their own destiny, but with the first game of the week on Saturday, a win is necessary heading into Sunday to increase their odds. Then, it would be up to the Tennessee Titans to beat the Jacksonville Jaguars or the Miami Dolphins to defeat the Buffalo Bills. It's not an automatic win for Pittsburgh, however. Their division rival will likely rest starters, but also do everything to keep them out of the postseason.

Some may say it would be asinine for the Ravens to play any starters against the Steelers, but having the team that knows you best sneak into the playoffs could have legitimate ramifications. Good Morning Football discussed this possibility on Wednesday morning and Peter Schrager is seriously cautioning Baltimore heading into Saturday's matchup.

"It's the Steelers. As Baltimore Ravens, are you going to let the Steelers backdoor into the playoffs? Because all the Steelers need is for the Dolphins to beat the Bills and then the Steelers win and they're in. Then the Steelers are the seven seed and guess what? The Steelers are the seven seed, beat the two seed... guess who they play the next round in the Divisional Round? That's the Ravens."

All cards are off the table when the Steelers and Ravens get together. The two organizations are significantly familiar with one another and no seeding will change the fact that the playoff game would probably be a one-score game. Schrager said it could be catastrophic if a scorching hot Steelers team waltzes on into Baltimore in an attempt to beat them three times in one season.

"You just let your arch rival Steelers come into the playoffs and now suddenly would be a team that has four straight wins, just beat the number two seed, coming in with a head full of steam, facing you in your building which is not exactly been the place that everyone fears to go in the playoffs of late because you let them in in Week 18."

Schrager is spot on in his analysis. First, Pittsburgh has to find a way into the playoffs and then beat the second seed, but the Steelers may be the last team that Baltimore wants to see in late January.

Schrager continued with one final comment. If you're a fan of the Ravens, you want to see your team find a way to end Pittsburgh's season in Week 18. There would be nothing sweeter.

"The Ravens could just end the Steelers' season. They're done and guess what? We did it to you. [John] Harbaugh did it to [Mike] Tomlin."

This is no gimme for Head Coach Mike Tomlin and the Steelers. In 2019, Pittsburgh needed a win to keep playoff hopes alive in the final week of the season and a group led by Robert Griffin III destroyed the Steelers by a score of 28-10. Steeler Nation is hoping for a better outcome on Saturday, but anything can happen when to rivals clash on the gridiron.

Steelers On Verge Of Missing Playoffs For Second Straight Season

A win still might not be enough to get Pittsburgh into the postseason. Part of the reason they got hit with another short week is because their matchup virtually means nothing to the other AFC teams in serious contention. With a win, the Jaguars, Dolphins and Bills are all still in the driver's seat. One thing is for sure, though, the Steelers seem to be peaking at the right time, but is it too late?

Do you think the Steelers could beat the Ravens in the playoffs? Let us know in the comments below!

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