The third-seeded Ravens (12-5) will face the sixth-seeded Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) at 8 p.m. Saturday in Baltimore. Here are game predictions for their AFC wild-card-round game from The Baltimore Banner’s sports staff.

It’s never easy, but it should be a win

Kyle Goon, columnist: You know it. I know it. Steelers games are weird. Fluky turnover weird. Guys not playing like themselves weird. Even the Baltimore win last month felt far from assured until Marlon Humphrey swung the momentum with a pick six. Matchup by matchup, the Ravens look like they have significant advantages. Yet somehow the playing field always seems more even than it should when these two face off.

That said, we have to take the Ravens’ “ascendant” (to use Todd Monken’s word) run over the last four weeks into consideration. Lamar Jackson has been great, including in that win over Pittsburgh. Derrick Henry has been great, including in that win. The defense hasn’t been better all season than it is now. The Russell Wilson-led Steelers offense has never been more vulnerable. In the end, that has to matter most. Even if there’s a weird energy to this rivalry, Baltimore is still the stronger team in almost every facet, and the need to capitalize on its opportunity has never been higher.

Ravens 24, Steelers 13

Ravens keep rolling

Giana Han, reporter: Although records mean little in any Ravens-Steelers game, it’s hard to ignore that the Ravens are on a roll and the Steelers are slogging through a slump. And the way the Ravens ended their win over the Cleveland Browns seems like the perfect way for them to pick up speed and launch themselves through the playoffs. Even without Zay Flowers, the Ravens’ offense has many ways to attack. Meanwhile, the disconnect between Russell Wilson and George Pickens seems to have stalled the Steelers’ offense. I think this game will be close, but I’m making a vibes pick and going with the Ravens.

Ravens 21, Steelers 17

Ravens’ defense should ease some nerves

Jonas Shaffer, reporter: Lamar Jackson acknowledged Tuesday that he gets “too antsy” for playoff games. Will he feel any less anxiety over this one without wide receiver Zay Flowers available? Probably not. The Ravens have the NFL’s best rushing attack, but the Steelers should be much better equipped to contain Jackson and running back Derrick Henry than they were in Week 16, when injuries limited their options.

Still, even if Pittsburgh makes life difficult for Jackson, I’m not sure where the Steelers can turn for reliable offense themselves. Their run game was one of the NFL’s worst over the second half of the season, and no one inside M&T Bank Stadium would be surprised if wide receiver George Pickens checks out after a rough start. That would leave Pittsburgh in a very bad place.

Ravens 23, Steelers 17

Not your father’s Ravens-Steelers game

Paul Mancano, “Banner Ravens Podcast” co-host: If you strip the team names from these rosters, you’d have no hesitation in picking the home team to win Saturday. The Ravens have the better roster, home-field advantage and all the momentum. But it’s the Steelers. There’s too much history here to be ignored.

But I really believe the Ravens unlocked something in their Week 16 win at M&T Bank Stadium. It was the first meeting between these two teams that was decided by more than one score since 2019. Marlon Humphrey’s fourth-quarter pick six was a collective exhale. Mike Tomlin can pull out whatever stops he likes. He won’t be able stop the Ravens’ train from rolling.

Ravens 28, Steelers 13

Drama-free Ravens cruise to drama-free win

Brandon Weigel, editor: The Steelers are in free fall. There’s unwanted drama around wide receiver George Pickens and swirling questions about quarterback Russell Wilson’s effectiveness. Not since the 1999 Detroit Lions has a team entered the playoffs on a four-game losing streak, according to CBS Sports, and they were easily bounced out of the postseason by Washington, 27-13.

Meanwhile, the Ravens have won their last four, including a 34-17 victory over Pittsburgh in Week 16. Aside from the uninspiring start to the team’s Week 18 game against a seriously depleted Cleveland Browns squad, the Ravens have looked the part of a team ready to make a deep run. Although the loss of Zay Flowers is cause for alarm, the Ravens have found another gear that the Steelers are incapable of matching.

Ravens 28, Steelers 16