Steelers and Ravens Set for Intense Showdown in NFL Wild-Card Matchup

The NFL finalized its playoff schedule for the wild-card round on Sunday evening, after the late-afternoon results clarified most of the matchups.

The Los Angeles Chargers secured the No. 5 seed in the AFC with a 34-20 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, finishing the season 11-6. The Chargers edged out the Pittsburgh Steelers for the spot. Meanwhile, the Denver Broncos defeated a resting Kansas City Chiefs team 38-0, earning the final AFC playoff spot.

Dec 21, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) throws from the pocket during the first half against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

The Pittsburgh Steelers, who ended the regular season with a four-game losing streak, will face the Baltimore Ravens in the No. 3 vs. No. 6 game. The teams split their regular-season matchups, but the Ravens won the AFC North by two games.

In the NFC, the Los Angeles Rams fell 30-25 to the Seattle Seahawks, causing them to drop behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the standings. The Buccaneers secured the NFC South title with a 27-19 win over the New Orleans Saints and claimed the No. 3 seed, pushing the Rams to No. 4.

The remaining spot to be determined is the No. 5 seed in the NFC, which will go to the loser of the Minnesota Vikings-Detroit Lions game on “Sunday Night Football,” as the winner will claim the NFC North title, the top seed, and a first-round bye.

Here is the schedule for the first round of the NFL postseason:

Saturday, Jan. 11

• No. 5 Los Angeles Chargers (11-6) at No. 4 Houston Texans (10-7), 4:30 p.m. ET, CBS
• No. 6 Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) at No. 3 Baltimore Ravens (12-5), 8 p.m. ET, Amazon Prime Video

Sunday, Jan. 12

• No. 7 Denver Broncos (10-7) at No. 2 Buffalo Bills (13-4), 1 p.m. ET, CBS
• No. 7 Green Bay Packers (11-6) at No. 2 Philadelphia Eagles (14-3), 4:30 p.m. ET, FOX
• No. 6 Washington Commanders (12-5) at No. 3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7), 8 p.m. ET, NBC

Monday, Jan. 13

• No. 5 Minnesota Vikings OR Detroit Lions at No. 4 Los Angeles Rams (10-7), 8 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC