Ravens fans were a little concerned when the team dropped the first two games. From 1990 through the 2023 season, 279 teams have opened 0-2. Only 32 (11.5%) have made the postseason. Not great odds. But fast forward to the end of the season, and the Ravens head into the playoffs as the AFC North champs. That is in large part due to the play of their starting quarterback Lamar Jackson, who is having arguably the best season of his career and seems to be in line to win back-to-back MVP awards. Jackson’s final tally for the season is 4,172 passing yards, 41 touchdowns, and just 4 interceptions.
For the majority of the season, the Pittsburgh Steelers were one of the top teams in the NFL. But they couldn’t have picked a worse time to go cold. They have dropped their last four games and did not win the AFC North division despite having a comfortable lead for most of the season.
The Steelers have lost five straight playoff games under head coach Mike Tomlin. And a this rate, it doesn’t seem like that trend will end this year. After losing a critical game to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 18, they enter the Wild Card round with one of the longest losing streaks in the NFL.
The oddsmakers are not giving the Steelers much of a chance in this one. The Ravens are the heavy favorites in this matchup by a 9.5-point margin over Pittsburgh and the over/under marked at 43.5 points.
So whether you are rooting for a clear favorite or hoping for a miracle by the underdog, the most important thing to remember is that you must be in it to win it.
