Baltimore Ravens (10-6) at Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5)

Saturday, 8:15 p.m. ET, at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh – TV: NBC

*TV announcers: Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya

*Keys to the game: The Steelers’ four-game winning streak that culminated in winning the rugged AFC North came as the potent offense found a rhythm – moving the ball almost at will with a more balanced approach. That dynamic is threatened with the uncertain status of RB Le’Veon Bell (knee), the NFL’s second-leading rusher who also caught 83 passes out of the backfield during the regular season.

If Bell can’t play, the Ravens can focus more effort in containing QB Ben Roethlisberger, who tore through Baltimore’s 23rd-ranked secondary to the tune of 340 yards and a franchise-record six touchdowns in a 43-23 victory on the same field in Week 9.

Despite setting season franchise records with 409 points and 5,838 yards of total offense, Baltimore’s offense has been sporadic down the stretch, and the Ravens will be in dire straights if QB Joe Flacco is tasked with matching Big Ben score for score. The offense operates best when RB Justin Forsett is setting the table for Flacco to work off play-action. The Steelers’ Achilles heel is its 27th-ranked pass defense, but Pittsburgh has also racked up nine sacks in the past two games. How the Ravens handle the Steelers’ zone blitz will be key.

*Matchup to watch – Ravens DT Haloti Ngata vs Steelers C Maurkice Pouncey: Ngata should have fresh legs as he returns from a four-game suspension and will wage a fierce way on the interior against the Pro Bowler Pouncey.

*Player spotlight – Ravens OLB Terrell Suggs: Suggs is tied for third in NFL history with 12 career playoff sacks. He did not get to Roethlisberger during the regular season, but could have a massive impact on the game if Bell doesn’t play. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said he would be “stupid” to have 5-foot-8, 173-pound backup Dri Archer block on passing downs, and veteran Ben Tate was just signed on Tuesday.

*Fast facts: The Ravens allowed 19 sacks during the regular season, second fewest in franchise history. … The Steelers’ 33 all-time postseason victories is tied with Dallas for the most in NFL history.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

The opening quarter will be critical for the Ravens, who have been outscored 41-20 with no offensive touchdowns in the first half of their past four games. With or without Bell, Roethlisberger has already proved he can shred this secondary with a plethora of playmakers.

*Our pick: Steelers 27-19