The Baltimore Ravens are preparing for a high-stakes divisional round matchup after their commanding 28-14 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the wild-card round. Their next opponent depends on Sunday’s clash between the Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos. Will the Ravens face the Bills on the road or host the Texans at home? Here’s the complete breakdown of the scenarios.
Who are the Ravens likely to face in the next round?
If the Broncos upset the Bills
Should the Denver Broncos manage an upset against the heavily favored Buffalo Bills, the Ravens will host the No. 4-seeded Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium. Houston, led by rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud and head coach DeMeco Ryans, has shown resilience this season, finishing with a 5-4 record on the road. However, the Texans suffered a 31-17 loss to the Ravens in their Christmas matchup, and Baltimore’s defense, known for its red-zone efficiency, will look to exploit Houston’s inexperience in postseason play.
If the Bills defeat the Broncos
If the Bills secure the win, the Ravens will travel to Orchard Park, New York, to face the No. 2-seeded Buffalo Bills. The Bills have been dominant at home, maintaining a perfect 8-0 regular-season record at Highmark Stadium. Quarterback Josh Allen leads a dynamic offense that specializes in explosive plays. For the Ravens, their success will heavily rely on disrupting Allen’s rhythm with their blitz-heavy defense and forcing turnovers. Lamar Jackson must leverage his dual-threat abilities to attack Buffalo’s secondary and manage the game clock effectively.
The stakes for Baltimore in the divisional round
This divisional-round game is a critical step for the Ravens in their pursuit of the AFC Championship. Baltimore’s offense, spearheaded by Lamar Jackson, tight end Mark Andrews, and running back Derrick Henry, has been firing on all cylinders, but they’ll need to maintain consistency against either opponent. The defense, under coordinator Mike Macdonald, has excelled in limiting big plays and will need to adapt to the unique challenges each team presents.
For the Texans, a win would be a historic moment, marking one of the most unexpected playoff runs in recent memory. Meanwhile, the Bills are seeking redemption from last year’s playoff disappointment and are aiming to make a deep push toward the Super Bowl.
How Sunday’s results could reshape the AFC bracket
The outcome of Sunday’s Bills vs. Broncos game will determine the entire AFC playoff landscape. If the Broncos pull off the upset, they will travel to Arrowhead Stadium to face the No. 1-seeded Kansas City Chiefs, leaving the Ravens to host the Texans. If the Bills win as expected, Kansas City will host the Texans, while Baltimore faces Buffalo in a marquee matchup.
This dynamic playoff bracket creates intrigue, as each team’s path to the Super Bowl becomes clearer. For the Ravens, it’s a defining moment to prove they belong among the NFL’s elite.
What’s next for the Ravens?
Whether they host the Texans or travel to Buffalo, the Ravens face a daunting task in the divisional round. Playing at home would give Baltimore a significant advantage, but a road trip to Highmark Stadium would demand a resilient performance from both sides of the ball. Head coach John Harbaugh will need to rely on his team’s postseason experience to devise a winning game plan.
As Sunday’s critical game unfolds, fans will be eagerly watching to see who the Ravens will face. Stay tuned for more updates as Baltimore continues its journey toward a potential Super Bowl appearance.
