The Pittsburgh Steelers & Baltimore Ravens Will BOTH Be First Round Exits: A Reality Check

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens, two perennial powerhouses in the AFC North, have long been synonymous with gritty football and postseason ambitions. Both teams seem poised for playoff berths this season, yet skepticism looms over their ability to make a deep run. Could they both bow out in the first round? While fans of these franchises may reject the notion outright, there’s a compelling case to be made for why these AFC North contenders could face an early postseason exit.

Pittsburgh Steelers: A Fragile Foundation

Offensive Ineptitude

The Steelers’ Achilles’ heel has been their offense, a unit that ranks near the bottom of the league in most statistical categories. Despite a commendable 9-6 record (as of late Week 15), their offensive struggles are glaring.

Kenny Pickett’s Growing Pains: While Pickett has shown flashes of late-game heroics, his overall production has been underwhelming. With only a handful of multi-touchdown games and issues with decision-making, Pickett’s inexperience could be magnified against playoff-caliber defenses.
Run Game Inconsistencies: Najee Harris, expected to be the centerpiece of Pittsburgh’s ground attack, has struggled behind an inconsistent offensive line. This lack of balance puts undue pressure on the passing game, which has yet to prove it can carry the team.
Coaching Stagnation: Offensive coordinator Matt Canada’s play-calling has been a source of frustration all season. Predictable schemes and a lack of explosive plays have hamstrung the Steelers’ ability to put up points consistently.

Defensive Dependence

Pittsburgh’s defense, led by T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick, has kept the team afloat, but even this elite unit has limitations. The defense has masked offensive shortcomings by forcing turnovers and delivering in clutch moments, but relying solely on defensive heroics is unsustainable in the postseason.

In the playoffs, where matchups against high-powered offenses are inevitable, the Steelers’ inability to score in bunches could leave their defense gassed and vulnerable.

Matchup Challenges

As a likely Wild Card team, the Steelers would face a top-seeded opponent in the first round. Teams like the Kansas City Chiefs or Jacksonville Jaguars, with potent offenses, would present significant problems. Pittsburgh’s lack of firepower makes it hard to envision them keeping pace with these juggernauts.

Baltimore Ravens: Flawed Contenders

Lamar Jackson’s Playoff Struggles

Lamar Jackson remains one of the NFL’s most electrifying players, but his postseason track record raises legitimate concerns. Jackson’s playoff record stands at 1-3, with his performances often marred by turnovers and ineffective passing. While he’s more than capable of dominating in the regular season, defenses in the playoffs have been adept at limiting his impact as both a runner and passer.

Offensive Question Marks

The Ravens’ offense has been more dynamic in 2023 under new coordinator Todd Monken, but it still lacks consistency. While Jackson has a stronger supporting cast—thanks to the emergence of rookie receiver Zay Flowers and the addition of Odell Beckham Jr.—the passing game remains a work in progress.

The Ravens rely heavily on their ground game, spearheaded by Jackson and running back Gus Edwards, but this one-dimensionality can be exploited by disciplined playoff defenses. If opponents force Jackson to win from the pocket, Baltimore could struggle to move the chains.

Defensive Vulnerabilities

The Ravens’ defense, led by Roquan Smith and Marlon Humphrey, is a formidable unit, but it isn’t invincible. In recent weeks, the secondary has shown signs of vulnerability, particularly against deep passes. Against playoff-caliber quarterbacks who thrive on vertical throws—like Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen—this could spell disaster.

Tough Playoff Road

Baltimore may secure the AFC North title, but that doesn’t guarantee an easy path. A first-round matchup against a surging team like the Miami Dolphins or Buffalo Bills would test their mettle. Both of these offenses have the firepower to outscore Baltimore in a shootout or overwhelm their secondary.

Why Both Teams Could Fall Short

1. Lack of Offensive Firepower

Both the Steelers and Ravens struggle to consistently generate explosive plays, a critical factor in postseason success. Playoff games often come down to moments of brilliance, and neither team’s offense inspires much confidence in its ability to deliver under pressure.

2. Matchups Against Elite Opponents

The AFC playoff picture is loaded with juggernauts like the Chiefs, Bills, Dolphins, and Jaguars—all teams with high-octane offenses and opportunistic defenses. Whether it’s Mahomes orchestrating a comeback or Miami’s Tyreek Hill burning defenses deep, these opponents present challenges that Pittsburgh and Baltimore might not be equipped to handle.

3. Inability to Close Games

Both teams have leaned heavily on their defenses to win close games in the regular season, but this formula doesn’t always translate in the playoffs. Opponents with elite offenses and playoff experience are better equipped to exploit even the smallest mistakes.

4. Coaching Decisions

Mike Tomlin and John Harbaugh are two of the NFL’s most respected head coaches, but both have faced criticism for conservative game management in critical situations. In a postseason where razor-thin margins decide outcomes, these decisions could cost their teams dearly.

The Bottom Line

While the Steelers and Ravens have enjoyed successful regular seasons, their flaws make them vulnerable to early playoff exits. Both teams rely heavily on defense to compensate for inconsistent offenses—a strategy that becomes increasingly difficult against elite postseason competition.

The NFL playoffs are a different beast, and the Steelers and Ravens must address their weaknesses if they hope to avoid an early exit. Otherwise, they risk becoming footnotes in a postseason dominated by more complete teams.

For fans of both franchises, the optimism of making the playoffs might soon be overshadowed by the harsh reality of a quick departure.