Who will the Steelers play in the playoffs? Breaking down wildcard scenarios

Pittsburgh hopes to get its playoff mojo back in 2025.

The Steelers are back in the playoffs and looking to capitalize on a pretty surprising season for Mike Tomlin’s team. They enter the final week of the regular season with only one question mark next to the NFL playoff seating chart.

Tomlin’s group can slot in as a No. 3, 5 or 6 seed when the dust settles, creating some uncertainty regarding their first-round opponents heading into Week 18.

Here’s a look at who could be on Pittsburgh’s schedule to open the playoffs.

Who will the Steelers play in the playoffs?

The Steelers will enter the postseason as a division winner or as a wild card team. Here’s who they could face:

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Steelers playoff scenarios

Here are the scenarios that would lead to each first-round matchup:

Houston Texans

The most likely outcome is that the Steelers travel to Houston. So they could end up in the Lone Star State.

Ravens win (vs. CLE) and Steelers win (vs. CIN) OR Chargers lose (at LV)
BAL, PIT and LAC lose

Baltimore Ravens

If the Ravens win, the Steelers could decide to give some players a break since they play in Baltimore and know if the AFC North won. The following scenario would see the hated rivals face a third meeting this season and a second in Baltimore:

Steelers loss (against CIN) AND Chargers win (at LV)

Los Angeles Chargers

The least likely outcome of the three is Pittsburgh facing LA in the first round if they win the division. That would require a Baltimore loss to Cleveland and a Pittsburgh win in Week 18.

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NFL playoff schedule

The NFL playoffs begin Jan. 11 with the league’s Super Wild Card Weekend and end Feb. 9 with Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans.

Great Wild Card weekend

Always east

Saturday, January 11th

AFC/NFC wildcard game: 4:30 p.m
AFC/NFC wildcard game: 8 p.m

Sunday, January 12th

AFC/NFC Wildcard Game: 1 p.m
AFC/NFC wildcard game: 4:30 p.m
AFC/NFC wildcard game: 8:15 p.m

Monday, January 13th

AFC/NFC wildcard game: 8:15 p.m

Divisional round

Saturday, January 18th

AFC/NFC division game: 4:30 p.m
AFC/NFC division game: 8:15 p.m

Sunday, January 19th

AFC/NFC division game: 3 p.m
AFC/NFC division game: 6:30 p.m

NFL Conference Championship Round

Sunday, January 26th

NFC Championship Game: 3 p.m
AFC Championship Game: 6:30 p.m

Super Bowl 59

Date: February 9, 2025
Location: Caesar’s Superdome (New Orleans)
Time: 6:30 p.m
TV: FOX

NFL playoff picture week 18

AFC

Kansas City Chiefs (15-1, AFC West winner, No. 1 seed)*
Buffalo Bills (13-3, AFC East winner)*
Baltimore Ravens (11-5, AFC North leaders)*
Houston Texans (9-7, AFC South winner)*
Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6, Wild Card No. 1)*
Los Angeles Chargers (10-6, Wild Card No. 2)*
Denver Broncos (9-7, Wild Card No. 3)

denotes teams that have secured a spot in the playoffs. Teams that have won division titles are marked accordingly.

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Who will the Steelers play in the playoffs? Breaking down wildcard scenarios

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