Jamison Hensley, ESPN Staff Writer 6y

Rivalry rematch? Ravens believe they'll see Steelers again in the postseason

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- The Baltimore Ravens left Pittsburgh on Sunday night feeling like they let one slip away in a 39-38 loss to the Steelers.

The Ravens also departed Heinz Field believing this wouldn't be the final time they played there this season.

"Regardless whether we won or lost this game, we were going to have come back here anyway if we handle our business," Ravens safety Eric Weddle said.

A meeting in the postseason between these AFC North rivals isn't out of the question. In fact, it's set up that way as of right now.

The Ravens (7-6) have the best chance of all the contending teams to end up as the AFC's No. 6 seed (48.9 percent), and the Steelers (11-2) can clinch the top spot in the conference and home-field advantage throughout playoffs by beating the New England Patriots (10-3) on Sunday. If Baltimore wins in the wild-card round (the Ravens have won at least one playoff game every time they've reached the postseason), that would send Baltimore to Pittsburgh in the divisional round.

The Ravens and Steelers have battled four times in the postseason. The last playoff meeting occurred in 2014, when the Ravens won their first postseason game against the Steelers.

"We just have to swallow this one, let it go and wait for the next three games," Ravens linebacker C.J. Mosley said after the loss Sunday. "We're still in it. We just have to make sure that we handle our business so we can try to get back here ultimately for the playoffs."

Despite the loss to Pittsburgh, Baltimore controls its playoff fate. The Ravens will reach the postseason for the first time since 2014 if they win their final three games.

Baltimore holds the tiebreaker advantages over the three other 7-6 teams in the AFC. If the Ravens and Bills won their remaining games, Baltimore (5-0) would have the edge over Buffalo (4-1) based on a better record among common opponents (Bengals, Colts, Dolphins, Raiders).

The Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers are non-factors if Baltimore doesn't lose again in the regular season. If the Chiefs win out, they win the AFC West. If Los Angeles wins out, the Ravens (8-4) would beat out the Chargers (7-5) based on conference record.

All the Ravens have to do is beat three teams that rank in the bottom five in the AFC in terms of record. Baltimore goes to Cleveland (0-13) on Sunday before playing host to Indianapolis (3-10) and Cincinnati (5-8).

"It is the National Football League. Those will be three very challenging football games for us, but we are capable of doing it," coach John Harbaugh said. "We expect to do it, but we have to have all hands on deck for the next challenge, and that is what we are going to do."

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