Steelers Playoff Opponent Revealed, If They Beat Ravens

PITTSBURGH -- If the Pittsburgh Steelers end their regular season with a victory over the Baltimore Ravens, the organization will clinch their first AFC North division title since the 2020 season. The win would also mark a huge rebounding effort from the team following a gut-wrenching loss to the Cleveland Browns in Week 17.

The focus is the task at hand for the Steelers, but they have to at least have a bit of an eye on what may lie down the road. After all, if they win their Week 18 showdown, they would host a playoff game during Wild Card Weekend.

They also now know who they will face in the opening round of the postseason. Following the results of Week 18 action across the NFL, the Steelers would face the Houston Texans to open their playoff schedule.

The Challenge of Houston

This contest would mark the first-ever playoff matchup between the Steelers amd the Texans. The two organizations have met previously for a total of eight contests, with the Steelers holding the edge and a 5-3 record. The last time these two teams met was during the 2023 season, and the Texans convincingly beat the Steelers by a final score of 30-6.

This year, the Texans pose a particular challenge to the Steelers and any other opponent they face. After starting the year slow, Houston's defense became one of the stingiest in the NFL. Entering Week 18, they were averaging the fewest yards allowed per game, the fourth-fewest passing and rushing yards and possess the second-best turnover differential.

That defense is headlined by a company of dangerous pass rushers. Danielle Hunter led the team with 14 sacks on the season, and was trailed by rising star Will Anderson Jr. and his 12 sacks.

As if the pass rush wasn't intimidating enough, their secondary has reached shut-down level. Derek Stingley Jr. is a Defensive Player of the Year candidate with 14 passes defended and four interceptions. Opposite him is another standout cornerback in Kamari Lassiter, who paces the Texans with 17 passes defended. Then there's safety Jalen Pitre with four interceptions of his own to go with 12 passes defended.

Nov 16, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (24) against the Tennessee Titans during pre-game warmups at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images | Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Why This Is Such a Tough Challenge for the Steelers

If you've watched any of the Steelers' season, you're well aware of how many struggles they've had on the offensive side of the ball. Their average of 300 yards of offense per game ranks in the bottom 10 of the NHL. Even with the addition of four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers and his impressive stat line, the offense is one of the worst in the NFL.

Going up against a rising defense that has confidence and a team that's collecting wins means the Steelers' offense has to be miles better than it has been. This team is coming off a performance where they couldn't muster a single touchdown, and that won't be good enough against one of the best defenses in the postseason.

It also means that Rodgers' main target, DK Metcalf, will be challenged all game long. With Houston's secondary smothering Metcalf and their pass rushers collapsing the pocket, the Steelers will have to find ways to rely on their other top offensive options like Kenny Gainwell, Jaylen Warren and Pat Freiermuth, to find their way to victory.

The Steelers have to get through the Ravens first. But if they get the job done, they know that the Texans await them in Wild Card weekend.

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