As the Pittsburgh Steelers prepare for their Wild Card showdown against the Baltimore Ravens this Saturday, the key to victory will be something deceptively simple: protecting the football. In a matchup that pits two fierce AFC North rivals against each other, the Steelers’ success will hinge on their ability to avoid the costly turnovers that have plagued them in recent playoff appearances.
It’s been a long time since the Steelers defeated the Ravens in the postseason. The last time Pittsburgh came out on top in a playoff meeting with Baltimore was in 2011. Back then, the Steelers entered the playoffs as the second seed in the AFC and ultimately lost to the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XLV.
This year, the roles have reversed. The Ravens are now the higher-seeded team, placing the Steelers in a more challenging position with less margin for error.
This shift in seeding adds to the pressure on head coach Mike Tomlin, who has faced criticism for his post-season record. Despite his success in the regular season, Tomlin has struggled to lead Pittsburgh deep into the playoffs in recent years.
Tomlin's 1-5 playoff record since 2016 has fueled talk of a post-season “curse,” and a loss to Baltimore would only intensify the scrutiny. With the stakes higher than ever, Tomlin and his team must avoid making the same mistakes that have cost them in the past: turnovers at inopportune moments.
Steelers must limit turnovers to steal a Wild Card victory
In the Steelers’ last four playoff appearances, turnovers have been a recurring issue. Over those four games, Pittsburgh has committed eight first-half turnovers, which has put them at a significant disadvantage early in the contest. Playing from behind on the scoreboard is challenging for any team, but it’s especially difficult for a Steelers squad that has struggled to find consistent rhythm in the postseason.
When the offense gives the ball away, it’s not just a missed opportunity—it often leads to points for the opposing team and puts added pressure on the defense.
The Steelers have committed 8 turnovers in the first half of games over their last 4 playoff losses.
— Daniel Valente (@StatsGuyDaniel) January 8, 2025
1st half turnovers
vs. Jaguars: 2
vs. Browns: 4
vs. Chiefs: 0
vs. Bills: 2
Biggest reason for the playoff losing streak? Horrendous starts & sloppy play by QB & other key guys.
This week, the pressure will fall squarely on quarterback Russell Wilson and the other skill players, who must execute clean, mistake-free football. Wilson, despite his past success, has shown inconsistencies this season.
If he can keep the offense in control and limit turnovers, it will give the Steelers a fighting chance against a Ravens team that thrives on creating turnovers and capitalizing on mistakes.
In the end, Pittsburgh’s chances of pulling off an upset will come down to one thing: protecting the football. With the game on the line, the Steelers must stay disciplined and avoid the mistakes that have haunted them in previous postseasons.
If the Steelers can do that, they’ll give themselves a real shot at advancing to the next round and silencing the critics once and for all.